In a new update to its services and options for advertising and marketing, popular social media platform Reddit has added yet another upgrade to its ad database with a new ad format called “Free-Form ads” that are said to mimic the platform’s user posts. In a bid to distance itself from traditional banner ads, Reddit has chosen to put out advertisements that closely resemble its widely known user-generated content.
This ad format enables enterprises to collate diverse media elements including images, text and videos into a singular post format that allows advertisers to craft more captivating perspectives that seamlessly integrate with existing content on Reddit. This inclusion comes at an opportune time as Reddit gears up for its highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Although there is an increased likelihood that advertising engagement will become more prevalent, Reddit users are concerned about the new format. Distinguishing between user-generated content and ads is a fundamental aspect of Reddit’s brand. If not used appropriately, Free-Form Ads have the potential to blur this barrier and cause user confusion and dissatisfaction.
However, preliminary testing shows promise. Reddit reports that Free-Form Ads have surpassed all other ad formats on the site, generating more interaction through comments and boasting an average click-through rate (CTR) increase of 28%. The site highlights that in order to uphold user openness, these advertisements will be explicitly marked as “Promoted”.
Reddit’s ability to keep this balance will be critical to the success of Free-Form Ads. Avoiding negative user feedback will need clarity and explicit labeling of commercials. Reddit must also make sure that Free-Form Ads continue to be of a high caliber to avoid an overabundance of ineffective promotional content in user feeds.
Reddit’s shift to native advertising, despite some reservations, is a big step forward for online advertising. Free-Form Ads have the potential to usher in a new era of user-centric advertising that puts engagement ahead of disruption if used carefully. As Reddit balances maintaining the platform’s distinctive user experience with appeasing advertisers, the upcoming months will be crucial.