Reddit Max Campaigns: New AI-Powered Advertising Format Launches in Beta

Reddit has announced a big update to its advertising platform with the beta launch of Reddit Max Campaigns, a new AI-powered campaign type it claims will simplify campaign setup while delivering improved performance and richer audience insights. The release signals a broader shift in how Reddit wants brands to approach paid promotion on the platform, theoretically ramping up its competition with platforms like Meta and Google in running direct-results ads.

What Are Reddit Max Campaigns?

Reddit Max Campaigns are an automated campaign format built for advertisers focused on traffic and conversion objectives. Instead of manually selecting placements, bids, and targeting parameters, advertisers set high-level goals while Reddit’s AI handles optimization in real time.

According to Reddit’s official announcement, Max Campaigns use machine learning systems trained on Reddit’s unique behavioral signals to determine where ads appear, which creative performs best, and how budgets are allocated throughout a campaign’s lifecycle.

Core features include:

• Automated targeting and bid optimization
• Dynamic placement selection across Reddit
• AI-assisted creative recommendations, including headline and thumbnail suggestions
• Real-time budget pacing and performance adjustments

Reddit has also indicated that AI-assisted video cropping, similar to functionality found in Meta and Google Ads, will be introduced in a future update, further reducing the need for manual creative adjustments.

Early Testing and Performance Results

Reddit reports that more than 600 advertisers participated in alpha testing for Max Campaigns during 2025. During these tests, campaigns using the Max format were compared against manually managed Reddit ad campaigns.

Reddit reports that, in several cases, advertisers experienced improved cost efficiency and higher engagement without making ongoing manual optimizations. Reddit highlighted Brooks Running as an early tester, noting a reported 37% reduction in cost per click and a 27% increase in clicks over a 21-day test period using Max Campaigns.

While individual results will vary by industry and creative quality, these early outcomes suggest that Reddit’s automation systems are capable of identifying effective placements and audience segments at scale.

A Closer Look at Audience Insights

One of the more distinctive elements of Reddit Max Campaigns is the inclusion of Top Audience Personas. This reporting feature groups users into interest-based segments derived from Reddit activity patterns, rather than relying solely on demographic assumptions.

Reddit states that these personas are built using signals pulled from billions of posts and comments across their website, allowing advertisers to see which interest groups are engaging with their ads. Examples of persona categories include lifestyle interests, hobbies, or situational identifiers such as new parents or home improvement enthusiasts.

For advertisers, this means campaign reporting extends beyond surface-level performance metrics and offers context around who is responding to ads and why certain messaging resonates.

How Max Campaigns Fit Into the Broader Ad Landscape

The launch of Reddit Max Campaigns mirrors broader platform trends seen across major ad networks. Google’s Performance Max and Meta’s Advantage+ campaigns have already normalized AI-driven media buying, where algorithms manage delivery while advertisers focus on strategy and creative direction.

Reddit’s approach differs slightly due to its community-based structure. Ads appear within conversations rather than passive feeds, making relevance and contextual alignment especially important. Max Campaigns attempt to address this by pairing automation with Reddit-specific behavioral data, rather than generic audience modeling.

For brands already testing Reddit as part of a diversified media strategy, Max Campaigns may reduce operational friction while offering insights that can inform messaging across other channels.

What Advertisers Should Expect Next

Max Campaigns are currently available in beta, with broader access expected over the coming months through Reddit Ads Manager. Reddit has stated that additional reporting enhancements and automation features will follow as the product matures.

As access expands, advertisers will be able to evaluate whether the balance of automation and control aligns with their internal workflows and performance goals. For teams managing multiple platforms, reduced hands-on optimization may free up time for creative testing and audience research.

The introduction of Reddit Max Campaigns represents a meaningful evolution in Reddit’s advertising ecosystem. By combining AI-driven optimization with audience intelligence rooted in real conversations, Reddit is positioning itself as a more accessible and data-rich option for performance-focused advertisers.

As the beta continues and more brands gain access, Max Campaigns will likely play a growing role in how Reddit fits into modern paid media strategies.