Video content dominates digital advertising, and Reddit is no exception. With over 70% of Reddit users browsing on mobile devices and increasingly engaging with video content, mastering Reddit video ads has become essential for advertisers looking to capture attention in the feed.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Reddit video ads in 2026, from technical specifications to creative strategies that drive results.
Getting your technical specifications right is the foundation of any successful Reddit video campaign. Here are the current requirements:
Reddit supports multiple aspect ratios to give you creative flexibility:
| Aspect Ratio | Dimensions | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 4:5 (Portrait) | 1080x1350 | Mobile feed (recommended) |
| 1:1 (Square) | 1080x1080 | Cross-platform compatibility |
| 4:3 (Landscape) | 1440x1080 | Desktop viewing |
| 16:9 (Landscape) | 1920x1080 | Cinematic content |
Pro tip: The 4:5 portrait format consistently outperforms other ratios on Reddit because it takes up more screen real estate on mobile devices, where most Reddit browsing happens.
Your thumbnail is critical since videos autoplay muted:
Creating effective Reddit video ads requires understanding the platform's unique culture and user behavior. Here are proven strategies for 2026:
Reddit users scroll quickly. Your opening frame needs to grab attention immediately. Start with:
Avoid starting with logos or slow brand intros—these get skipped.
Videos autoplay muted on Reddit. Your video must communicate effectively without audio:
According to platform data, videos with captions see significantly higher completion rates than those without.
While Reddit allows videos up to 15 minutes, shorter is almost always better:
The optimal video length for Reddit ads is around 60 seconds, but many successful campaigns use 15-30 second cuts.
Reddit users are notoriously skeptical of overly produced advertising. Content that feels too "corporate" often underperforms:
The brands seeing the best results in 2026 treat Reddit like a community to contribute to, not just an audience to extract from.
With 70%+ of Reddit usage on mobile:
Reddit's platform, especially the newer MAX Campaigns, supports testing multiple creative variants:
Understanding what works on Reddit can help shape your creative strategy. Here are patterns from successful video campaigns:
Structure: Present a relatable problem in seconds 1-5, then demonstrate your solution.
What makes it work: Reddit users appreciate directness. They want to see quickly whether your product is relevant to them.
Structure: Show how your product is made, your team at work, or "day in the life" content.
What makes it work: Authenticity resonates on Reddit. Users feel like they're getting exclusive access rather than being sold to.
Structure: Teach something useful related to your product in 30-60 seconds.
What makes it work: Reddit's culture values knowledge-sharing. Educational content earns respect and engagement.
Structure: Real customers sharing their experience, ideally in a casual, unscripted way.
What makes it work: Social proof is powerful, especially when it doesn't feel manufactured.
Structure: Content that references Reddit culture or speaks to specific subreddit interests.
What makes it work: Shows you understand the audience. But be careful—forced humor backfires badly.
In a notable Reddit success story, Notion created a post titled "How we almost broke our own database" in r/programming. The authentic, educational approach generated more trial signups than their previous six months of traditional Reddit advertising. While this was an organic post, it illustrates the content style that resonates on the platform.
Choosing between video and image ads depends on your campaign goals and resources.
In general, video ads on Reddit tend to generate:
Image ads often deliver:
The best approach for most advertisers is using both formats strategically—video for awareness and consideration, images for retargeting and direct response.
The recommended length is 5-30 seconds for most campaigns, with 15-30 seconds being the sweet spot for product demonstrations. While Reddit allows videos up to 15 minutes, shorter videos consistently achieve higher completion rates.
No, Reddit video ads autoplay muted. Users must tap to enable sound. This makes captions and text overlays essential for effective communication.
The 4:5 portrait format performs best because it maximizes screen real estate on mobile devices, where most Reddit browsing occurs. Square (1:1) is a close second and offers cross-platform versatility.
Reddit video ads use CPV (cost per view), CPM, or CPC bidding depending on your campaign objective. Costs vary by targeting and competition, but Reddit generally offers competitive rates compared to platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
While you can technically use the same video, we recommend adapting it for Reddit. Add captions if you don't have them, consider cutting to a shorter version, and ensure the content tone fits Reddit's more skeptical, authentic-seeking audience.
Need video ads for Reddit? We can help. Our team creates high-performing Reddit video campaigns that resonate with communities. Contact us | Get a free consultation
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