Reddit unveils new marketing tools to empower advertisers and boost engagement

Reddit is stepping up its game in the marketing world with the launch of innovative tools aimed at simplifying platform navigation and enhancing advertiser engagement. Announced during CES 2025, these updates include a trend analysis tool and a unique ad format designed to capitalize on the platform’s signature “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) discussions.

The first major update, Reddit Pro Trends, provides marketers with a free and powerful way to track platform trends in real-time. By leveraging natural language processing and advanced AI technologies, this tool analyzes conversations to identify over 100,000 “smart” keywords. Whether users are discussing “apple” as a fruit or the tech giant Apple, Reddit Pro Trends ensures marketers can distinguish and target the right context. Brands such as the NBA and Wayfair have already utilized the tool in beta testing, demonstrating its potential to analyze both real-time and long-term trends effectively.

Complementing this innovation is the new AMA Ads format, which enables marketers to seamlessly integrate paid media with Reddit’s highly popular AMA discussions. This ad type ensures advertisers can connect with the right communities without disrupting the authenticity of the user experience. Smaller brands, like Yes Milady, have already seen success using Reddit tools to pinpoint niche audiences, such as vegan communities.

Reddit’s updates signal a broader ambition to refine content analysis and boost brand safety. Over the past two years, Reddit has invested heavily in AI, acquiring startups like Memorable AI and Spiketrap to bolster its capabilities in audience insights and ad targeting. These AI-driven advancements not only give advertisers a deeper understanding of user conversations but also help ensure ad placement aligns with brand safety standards.

According to Rob Gaige, Reddit’s head of global insights, Reddit Pro Trends is a game-changer. “It not only shows you where you currently are as a brand but also reveals untapped opportunities,” Gaige explained. Advertisers can use this tool to identify relevant subreddits, fine-tune ad strategies, and explore new ways to engage potential customers.

Platforms like Google, Pinterest, and TikTok have long provided trend-tracking tools for marketers, but Reddit’s text-centric approach offers a unique edge. With a user base that thrives on in-depth, conversational content, Reddit provides insights into the raw, unfiltered discussions happening across its communities.