Reddit Carousel Ads: How to Create Them

Reddit carousel ads display multiple images or cards that users swipe through, telling a story or showcasing products in sequence. When done well, carousel ads drive higher engagement than single-image formats by inviting users to explore.

This guide covers everything you need to create effective reddit carousel ads—from specifications to strategy.

What Are Reddit Carousel Ads?

Carousel ads feature 2-6 cards that users swipe horizontally. Each card can include:

• Image
• Headline
• Description (optional)
• Unique destination URL (optional)

Users engage by swiping through cards, creating multiple touchpoints within a single ad unit.

Carousel Ad Specifications

Image Requirements

Specification	Requirement
Number of cards	2-6 cards per carousel
Image dimensions	1200 x 628 px (recommended)
Aspect ratio	1.91:1
File format	JPG or PNG
File size	Under 3MB per image
Safe zone	Keep key content away from edges

Text Limits

Element	Character Limit
Headline	100 characters (25-40 recommended)
Description	200 characters (optional)
CTA button	Preset options (Learn More, Shop Now, etc.)

Technical Notes

• Each card can link to a different URL
• Cards display in the order you set
• First card shows by default—make it compelling
• Carousel indicators show users there's more content

Creating Carousel Ads Step-by-Step

Step 1: Access Campaign Creation

1. Log into Reddit Ads Manager
2. Click Create Campaign
3. Choose your campaign objective
4. Select Carousel as your ad format

Step 2: Prepare Your Assets

Before uploading, prepare:

• 2-6 high-quality images at 1200 x 628 px
• Headlines for each card
• Optional descriptions
• Destination URLs (one default or unique per card)

Step 3: Upload Cards

1. Click Add Card for each image
2. Upload image for each card
3. Enter headline (required)
4. Add description (optional)
5. Set destination URL
6. Arrange card order by dragging

Step 4: Review and Launch

1. Preview the carousel in both feed and conversation placements
2. Check image quality on mobile preview
3. Verify all URLs work correctly
4. Submit for approval

Carousel Ad Best Practices

Tell a Story

Design cards as a sequence, not isolated images:

Story arc approaches:

• Problem → Solution → Result → CTA
• Feature 1 → Feature 2 → Feature 3 → Value prop
• Before → During → After → CTA
• Question → Answer → Proof → CTA

Users who swipe are engaged—reward them with narrative progression.

Make the First Card Count

The first card determines whether users swipe:

• Lead with your strongest visual
• Create curiosity that invites exploration
• Include clear visual indicator that more content exists
• Avoid putting all key information on card one

Maintain Visual Consistency

Cards should feel connected:

• Use consistent color palette across cards
• Maintain similar visual style and quality
• Consider cards as parts of a larger canvas
• Use design elements that span multiple cards

Optimize for Mobile

Most Reddit users browse on mobile:

• Test how text appears on small screens
• Keep headlines short (25-40 characters)
• Ensure images are legible at mobile size
• Use high-contrast text on images

Use Card-Specific URLs Strategically

Each card can link somewhere different:

Product catalogs: Link each card to its product page Feature tours: Link to feature-specific landing pages Sequential content: Link to related blog posts or resources

Track card-level performance to optimize URL strategy.

Carousel Ad Use Cases

E-commerce Product Showcase

Display multiple products or product views:

• Card 1: Hero product shot
• Card 2: Product in use
• Card 3: Feature close-up
• Card 4: Customer review/testimonial
• Card 5: Pricing/offer
• Card 6: Shop now CTA

Feature Breakdown

Walk through product or service features:

• Card 1: Main value proposition
• Cards 2-4: Individual feature highlights
• Card 5: Social proof
• Card 6: Call to action

Behind-the-Scenes Story

Build brand connection through transparency:

• Card 1: Final product
• Cards 2-4: Manufacturing/creation process
• Card 5: Team or craftsmanship highlight
• Card 6: Brand story/CTA

How-To Tutorial

Provide value through instruction:

• Card 1: End result/outcome
• Cards 2-5: Step-by-step process
• Card 6: Get started CTA

Comparison Content

Show alternatives or before/after:

• Card 1: The problem
• Card 2: Old way vs. new way
• Cards 3-4: Specific comparison points
• Card 5: Results/data
• Card 6: Try it CTA

Measuring Carousel Performance

Key Metrics

Track carousel-specific engagement:

Metric	What It Shows
Impressions	Total carousel views
Clicks	Total clicks across all cards
CTR	Click-through rate
Card-level clicks	Clicks by individual card
Swipe rate	Users who swiped to additional cards
Engagement rate	Combined swipe and click activity

Optimization Signals

Use card-level data to optimize:

• High card 1 clicks, low swipes: Card 1 is strong, but not inviting exploration
• Drop-off after card 2: Cards 3+ may be weak—reorder or replace
• Most clicks on final card: Story structure is working
• Even distribution: All cards contributing value

Testing Approach

A/B test carousel elements:

• First card imagery
• Card order and sequence
• Number of cards (3 vs. 5 vs. 6)
• Headlines and descriptions
• URL strategies (single vs. per-card)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too Much Text on Images

Images with heavy text overlays perform poorly. Keep text minimal; use headline fields for messaging.

Weak First Card

If card one doesn't compel swiping, users won't see the rest. Invest extra effort in the opener.

No Narrative Logic

Random images without connection confuse users. Design intentional sequences.

Inconsistent Quality

One poor-quality image damages the entire carousel. Maintain consistent quality across all cards.

Ignoring Mobile Experience

Carousels that look great on desktop may fail on mobile. Always preview and test on mobile devices.

For more ad format options, see our guides on Reddit Takeover Ads and browse Reddit ads examples.

FAQs

How many cards should I use in a Reddit carousel ad?

Use 3-5 cards for most campaigns. Two cards feel incomplete; six cards risk drop-off. Test different lengths—some audiences prefer shorter carousels, others engage with longer stories. Match card count to content needs rather than using maximum allowed.

Can each carousel card link to a different URL?

Yes. You can set a default destination URL for all cards or specify unique URLs per card. Per-card URLs work well for product catalogs where each card features a different item. Track click distribution to see which cards drive traffic.

Do carousel ads cost more than single-image ads?

Carousel ads use the same bidding and pricing as other formats. Cost depends on targeting, competition, and bid strategy—not format. However, carousels may deliver more engagement per impression, potentially improving effective cost metrics.

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Key Takeaways

• Reddit carousel ads display 2-6 swipeable cards
• First card determines whether users explore further
• Design cards as a connected story, not isolated images
• Use card-specific URLs for product catalogs
• Track card-level metrics to optimize sequence and content

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