How to Use Reddit Ads as Market Research
Reddit ads can double as market research. Read your communities to find real pain points, turn each pain point into a headline, run small ad tests to see which message resonates, then read the comments for free feedback. Anyone can post a review or opinion on Reddit, there are 21+ years of discussions, and the people answering care about the topic. It's one of the cheapest ways to learn what your market actually thinks.
Why is Reddit good for market research?
The barrier to posting is low, so people say what they really think.
Reddit has 21+ years of discussions on almost every topic.
Many answers come from specialists, managers and enthusiasts who engage daily.
Threads show up in Google, so what people say about you travels.
How do you use Reddit ads as market research?
Read your communities. Find 5 real problems people keep talking about, and don't assume.
Turn each problem into a headline. See Reddit ad headlines.
Run a small test: 2 creatives and 2 headlines, 4 combinations.
Read the comments. Questions, objections and requests are free feedback.
Compare which message resonates, using your own results as well as Reddit's numbers.
Feed what you learn into your product, site and other channels.
What can you learn?
What people hate about the alternatives: too expensive, too slow, bad service, poor quality
What they don't understand about your product
Which problem is big enough to build a message around
New ways to stand out from competitors
What to build or fix next
Can comments change your product?
Yes. We sort criticism into two piles: baseless criticism you thank and move on from, and criticism with a point you can learn from. One brand we work with has updated its products and added accessories several times based on Reddit comments. See Reddit ad comments and How to handle negative comments on Reddit ads.
What are the limits?
Reddit audiences aren't every audience, so check what you learn elsewhere.
Loud commenters aren't always your buyers.
Read the real threads, not only summaries. See The Reddit Ads System.
Reddit ads as market research: FAQ
Can you use Reddit for market research?
Yes. Read your communities for real pain points, test messages with small ads, and read the comments for feedback.
How do you find customer pain points on Reddit?
Read the discussions in your communities and note the problems people keep raising, like price, speed, service and quality.
Can you test messaging with Reddit ads?
Yes. Run 2 creatives and 2 headlines, then see which message resonates.
Are Reddit comments useful feedback?
Yes. Questions, objections and ideas under your ads are free market research.
Is Reddit market research reliable?
It's a strong signal, but not the whole market. Check what you learn against your own data.
Get the full playbook
This post comes from my free eBook, How Reddit Ads Actually Works. It also covers targeting, creative, comments and measurement. Get it free, by email.
About the author
Written by Dāvis Lejnieks, CEO of Undecided Agency and a Redditor for 15+ years. He plans and runs Reddit ad campaigns for DTC, gaming and app brands, and shares what the data shows here.
Keep reading
Undecided Agency is a Reddit ads agency for DTC, gaming and app brands. Want a plan for your product? Get a Reddit Ads Game Plan.
Comments