Why Redditors Hate Ads, and How to Advertise to Them Anyway
Updated: 3 days ago
Redditors don't hate brands. They hate ads that feel fake: boring, pushy, promising things they don't deliver, and written by people who clearly don't understand the community. Ads that educate, help or entertain get read, discussed and even shared. Once you know why Redditors hate ads, the fix is clear: don't hide that you're an ad, make one worth reading.
Why do Redditors hate ads?
Redditors have spent years learning to spot ads in a split second. Many use ad blockers or privacy browsers, and Reddit's own culture rewards honesty and punishes anything that smells like a sales pitch. Dāvis, a Redditor for 15+ years, says it plainly in his eBook: he doesn't hate companies, he hates ads, because most of them are boring, push a product down your throat and don't deliver what they promise.
What makes an ad feel like an ad on Reddit?
Marketing words: "revolutionary", "seamless", "unlock your potential".
Polished studio photos that look nothing like a real post.
A headline about the product instead of the reader's problem.
Copy pasted from Meta or TikTok ads.
Comments turned off, as if the brand is afraid of replies.
How do you advertise to people who hate ads?
Start with a real problem the community keeps talking about. Read the threads first.
Highlight one problem in plain words, and hint at the solution.
Be open about being a brand. Everyone knows it's an ad; pretending otherwise makes it worse.
Use real photos, real numbers and real details.
Create curiosity. In our experience, the ads that perform best are the ones that make people want to know more.
Keep comments on and reply like a person.
People know how to buy. Tell them why. More on this in the Reddit ads system.
What do Reddit ads that work look like?
They look like something a member of the community could have posted: a short headline that speaks to a shared problem, an honest image, and a brand account that answers questions in the comments. Some of our ads have been shared thousands of times and reposted across subreddits, because they made people laugh or helped them, not because they were pushy. See how to make Reddit meme ads and Reddit ad examples.
What should you do when Redditors criticize your ad?
Answer honestly and fast. Fix what's true, explain what's false, and don't argue with trolls. Other readers watch how you respond, and a calm, human reply often wins more trust than the ad itself. See how to handle negative comments on Reddit ads.
Why Redditors hate ads: FAQ
Do Redditors really hate ads?
Many dislike ads that feel fake or pushy. Ads that are useful, honest or funny get read and often discussed.
Should Reddit ads hide that they are ads?
No. Be open about being a brand. Pretending to be a regular user backfires on Reddit.
Do Reddit ads work if users use ad blockers?
Ad blockers hide ads from some users, so you only reach people who see them. In our experience, Reddit still reaches large audiences in most niches.
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.
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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.
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