How to Post Video Content on Reddit

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to post video content on Reddit. In this article, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions and valuable tips to help you effectively share your videos on Reddit and maximize their reach. Whether you are a content creator, video marketer, or simply someone looking to share an engaging video, this guide will ensure that your post stands out and gains the visibility it deserves.

To achieve this goal, we have to understand what Reddit is and how it works. In fact, Reddit is not actually a single website. Instead, it’s made up of over a million “subreddits.” And a subreddit is essentially a forum dedicated to a specific topic.

Users can “subscribe” to subreddits matching their interests, or create one of their own. Then they can “upvote” content they like, and “downvote” content they don’t like. In this digital democracy, popular content rises to the top. So, how can a business benefit from Reddit? Let’s turn now to our discussion of how to post a video on Reddit.

Table of Contents 

• Introduction to Reddit for Business
• Benefits of Using Reddit for Business
• Step 1: Selecting the Right Subreddit
• Step 2: Crafting an Engaging Title
• Step 3: Uploading Your Video
• Reddit Video Specs (2025) – Quick Card
• Troubleshooting: Reddit Video Won’t Upload
• Step 4: Optimizing Your Video Post
• Rule-Proofing & Insights
• Step 5: Promoting Your Video Post
• Cross-Posting & Promotion Etiquette
• Optional—Paid Boosting on Reddit
• How to Maximize Engagement
• Karma; or How Not to End Up on r/HailCorporate
• Why You Should Use Professional Video Hosting
• When to Host Off-Platform (Dacast)
• FAQs
• Conclusion

Introduction to Reddit for Business

It can be tricky for a business to succeed on Reddit. That’s because, according to one marketing professional, “Reddit hates blatant marketing.”

But don’t be discouraged by this. If you are able to succeed at Reddit marketing, it can be highly effective. That’s because people on Reddit tend to be highly motivated. People use Reddit for two things: to find helpful information and for entertainment. The entertainment side can be hard to reach without creating excellent funny content.

But the other main reason people use Reddit is to find useful information. This is where business and video marketing content can really shine. There are subreddits for computer gaming, yoga, fitness, education, cars, engineering, entertainment, sports—almost anything you can imagine. And many users on these forums are looking for actionable advice and solutions to their problems.

Benefits of Using Reddit for Business

Next, let’s consider why a business should use Reddit? Well, in the first place, Reddit users tend to be very engaged. It’s not just a place for passive content consumption—although that does happen. But posting, comments, and voting make Reddit a very active place for users.

Therefore, all of this represents an opportunity for enterprises and video marketing tools. Whether you’re in entertainment or sports, marketing or product sales, there are people on Reddit looking for solutions that you can offer. And video content can help you communicate this.

In summary, professionals can get the following benefits from using Reddit:

• Access to a highly engaged community
• Instant feedback
• Ability to create custom communities around your brand/product
• High traffic
• High video usage rate

With that context in mind, let’s turn to the focus of this post: how to post video content on Reddit.

Step 1: Selecting the Right Subreddit

Before posting your video on Reddit, it’s crucial to identify the most suitable subreddit for your content. Subreddits are individual communities within the larger Reddit platform that focus on specific topics or interests. By choosing the appropriate subreddit, you can target an audience that is genuinely interested in your video, increasing the chances of engagement and visibility.

To find the ideal subreddit, conduct thorough research using relevant keywords related to your video’s topic. Look for subreddits with a large number of subscribers and active engagement. Additionally, review the subreddit rules and guidelines to ensure that your video aligns with their posting requirements.

Choosing an appropriate subreddit is one of the most important elements in posting videos on Reddit. One of the biggest advantages of this platform is the existence of subreddits. Crucially, this lets you present your content to viewers more likely to appreciate it, rather than to the entire Reddit universe.

Look for niche subreddits that cater to your exact audience. For example, let’s say that you’re broadcasting educational content in the journalism realm. You might consider sharing content, when appropriate, to subreddits like:

• r/Journalism
• r/JournalismSchool
• r/BusinessOfMedia/
• r/JournalismJobs

Choose a subreddit based on what you want your viewers to do in terms of followup/conversion activity, but don’t make this choice quickly or off the cuff. Explore a potential subreddit first to see what kinds of things are posted there and what comments they get. Your first instinct may not be the best choice.

The choice of subreddit is the most important Reddit-specific thing you can do to draw viewers. The rest is content and presentation. Have something good linked and give it a good title, and people will find it. If you’re creating quality content, viewers are likely to have something to say about it.

Once you have found the perfect subreddit, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Crafting an Engaging Title

The title of your video post plays a critical role in capturing the attention of Reddit users. It should be concise, descriptive, and compelling enough to entice users to click and watch your video content. Incorporating relevant keywords in your title can also help improve search visibility and increase the chances of your post ranking higher on Google.

Here are some tips for creating an engaging video title:

1. Be descriptive: Clearly convey what your video is about and what makes it unique.
2. Use emotional appeal: Trigger curiosity or evoke emotions to pique users’ interest.
3. Keep it concise: Avoid long titles that may get cut off in certain Reddit views.
4. Incorporate relevant keywords: Include targeted keywords that are relevant to your video’s content and audience.

Remember, your title is the first impression your video makes, so make it count!

Step 3: Uploading Your Video

Reddit allows you to upload videos directly to its platform. To ensure a smooth uploading process, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “Create Post” button located on the subreddit page.
2. Select the “Video” option.
3. Choose the video file from your device that you want to upload.
4. While your video is uploading, you can continue with the next step to optimize your post.

Reddit Video Specs (2025) – Quick Card

Before you upload, it helps to know the limits. Reddit has clear requirements for video uploads, and staying within these specs prevents errors like “Reddit video won’t upload (size/codec/length).”

Reddit video requirements (2025):

• Length limit: up to 15 minutes per video
• Size limit: up to 1 GB per file
• Formats: .mp4 or .mov with H.264 codec (best video format and bitrate for Reddit is H.264 MP4)
• Optional formats: Reddit also supports WebM, though MP4 is more reliable
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 (landscape) or 1:1 (square) work best in feed
• Captions: Reddit offers auto captions in some mobile uploads, but for accuracy and brand consistency, use burned-in subtitles or upload via a player that supports caption files

Knowing these specs will save you time and frustration. If your video is longer than 15 minutes or exceeds the size limit, consider hosting it externally with a platform like Dacast. That way, you can share a teaser on Reddit and still keep full control over monetization, analytics, and security.

Troubleshooting: Reddit Video Won’t Upload

Sometimes uploads fail even if you think you followed the steps. Here are the most common issues to check:

• Codec problems: Reddit requires H.264. If your file uses another codec, re-export it as MP4 (H.264).
• File too large: The Reddit video size limit is 1 GB. Anything bigger will fail.
• Video too long: The Reddit video length limit is 15 minutes. Trim or split longer clips.
• Wrong format: Stick to MP4 or MOV. WebM may work but is less reliable.
• Subreddit rules: Some subs only allow links, not direct video uploads. Check the subreddit rules or use the built-in Reddit rules check during drafting.
• Mobile issues: On iPhone or Android, upload failures can come from app permissions. Make sure Reddit has access to your photo and video library.

Fallback option: If your video still will not upload, consider hosting it externally. Platforms like Dacast let you upload longer files, keep high quality, and then share a teaser or link back on Reddit.

Step 4: Optimizing Your Video Post

To maximize the visibility and reach of your video post on Reddit, it’s essential to optimize it effectively. Follow these tips to enhance your post’s performance:

1. Write a compelling description: Provide a concise and engaging description of your video. Highlight key points, mention any notable guests or contributors, and include a call to action to encourage users to engage with your content.
2. Add relevant tags: Tags help categorize your video content and make it more discoverable within the subreddit and Reddit’s search function. Choose tags that accurately represent the content of your video and align with the subreddit’s guidelines.
3. Consider adding a transcript: Including a transcript of your video’s dialogue or narration can be beneficial for accessibility and search engine optimization. Search engines can index the transcript, making your video content more likely to appear in relevant search results.
4. Engage with the community: Actively participate in the comments section of your post. Respond to questions, acknowledge feedback, and engage in meaningful conversations with users. This not only helps build a community around your content but also signals to Reddit’s algorithm that your post is valuable and deserving of attention.

Rule-Proofing & Insights

Every subreddit has its own culture and posting rules. Breaking them can lead to your post being removed, or worse, a ban. That is why it is smart to do a quick rule-proofing step before you publish.

• Use Reddit’s built-in Rule-check tool: When you start drafting a post, Reddit now highlights the key subreddit rules. Pay close attention to restrictions on self-promotion, link-only posts, or video length.
• Check subreddit rules directly: Many communities also pin detailed posting guidelines. Look for notes on crossposting, karma minimums, or whether promotional content is allowed.

Once your video is live, you can measure how it is performing. Reddit now provides Post and Comment Insights that help you see what is working.

• Metrics to track: views, views by hour, upvotes, shares, crossposts, and comment activity.
• How to use them: If you see strong early engagement, consider crossposting to related subreddits (while respecting their rules). If watch-through is low, test a tighter title, better thumbnail, or shorter clip next time.

This loop—rule-check before posting, then insights after posting—helps you avoid mistakes and steadily improve your results.

Tip: If you are testing longer-form or monetized content, you can pair Reddit insights with the Dacast analytics dashboard

Step 5: Promoting Your Video Post

To increase the visibility and reach of your video post on Reddit, consider implementing the following promotional strategies:

1. Cross-posting: If appropriate, you can share your video content across multiple relevant subreddits. Be mindful of each subreddit’s rules regarding cross-posting and ensure that the content is tailored to fit the specific community.
2. Sharing on other platforms: Leverage your existing social media presence or other online platforms to promote your Reddit video post. Share the link with your followers and encourage them to engage with and upvote your post.
3. Influencer collaboration: Collaborate with influential users or video content creators within your niche to help promote your video on Reddit. Their endorsement and sharing can significantly increase visibility and attract a wider audience.

Cross-Posting & Promotion Etiquette

Crossposting can extend the reach of your video, but it works best when you adapt your approach for each community. A few simple habits make a big difference.

• Tailor your title and summary. Do not copy-paste the same text across multiple subs. Adjust the wording so it matches the tone, style, and interests of each subreddit.
• Disclose your affiliation. If the video is your own, be upfront about it. A short note like “creator here” builds trust and avoids accusations of spam.
• Respect subreddit rules. Many communities set strict limits on promotional content. Some ban self-promo altogether, while others allow it if you contribute in other ways. Always check subreddit rules before you crosspost.
• Follow the 10:1 guideline. A long-standing norm is to post about nine pieces of community-focused content for every one self-promotional post. Think of it as showing you are a participant, not just a marketer.

Handled carefully, crossposting helps your video find the right audience without breaking trust or violating subreddit posting rules.

Optional—Paid Boosting on Reddit

Sometimes an organic post performs well, and you want to get it in front of more people. That is where Promoted Video ads come in. Think of them as a way to boost a post that already shows promise, based on your Reddit Post Insights.

When to consider boosting:

• If a video meets Reddit video specs and already gets strong views, upvotes, or shares, a Promoted Video ad can extend its reach.
• Use it after testing how to post a video on Reddit organically first. Ads work best when they amplify content that has already proven its appeal.
• Great for product launches, events, or campaigns where you want consistent visibility beyond a single subreddit.

Reddit video ad specs (2025):

• Length: up to 15 minutes, though short-form (15–60 seconds) tends to perform better as ads
• Format: MP4 or MOV with H.264 codec
• Captions: strongly recommended, since many users watch with the sound off

If your campaign involves videos that exceed Reddit’s upload limits or require advanced analytics, you can host them on Dacast and use Reddit ads to drive traffic. This gives you full control over monetization, detailed performance data, and a branded HTML5 video player that is consistent across channels.

Paid boosting works best as a complement: create strong native content, review Post Insights metrics, and then put ad spend behind posts that already resonate. For longer campaigns, Dacast hosting plus Reddit ads can deliver both reach and control.

Light Legal and Safety Note

Every subreddit has its own set of rules, and moderators enforce them differently. While Reddit now offers platform-wide rule-check tools, enforcement is tightening across the site. Always:

• Read and follow subreddit posting rules before uploading or crossposting.
• Respect community guidelines on self-promotion, video formats, and content type.
• Remember that breaking rules can lead to post removal or account suspension.

Think of Reddit as a network of thousands of unique communities. Staying within the rules not only protects your account but also helps your videos perform better in the long run.

How to Maximize Engagement

Technically, posting a video link to Reddit is quite simple — no harder than posting a link on any other social media site. As we’ve covered, the only complicating factors are the choice of subreddit and the high emphasis on participating etiquette (or “Rediquette”). Those factors make it worth your while to spend your time exploring the site and finding out about how things are done and how the whole thing is organized before plunging in. If you’re willing to do that, a Reddit link to your videos is a great investment of time.

Here are some other recommendations for increasing your exposure on Reddit.

• Participate. Reddit has active communities on topics that matter to your business or organization. Find these communities and get involved.
• Consider running an “Ask Me Anything” if you have expertise on a particular topic.
• Build goodwill by sharing useful content. Don’t only be self-promotional. Instead, try to find the user base that really wants and needs your product or service. Then work with them to share.
• Build karma. More on that topic below.

Karma; or How Not to End Up on r/HailCorporate

Now, let’s reiterate this key takeaway one more time. The best way to be successful on Reddit is to provide pertinent information in communities and threads that are looking for that info. This allows you to build up “karma,” which is what you get when people upvote your posts.

In general, you’ll get the best results if your posts are clear and to the point. Marketing doesn’t go down well on Reddit, so it’s best to be informational. Think “we launched a new product and here are its features” rather than “Let us explain to you how we can solve your problems.”

You don’t want to end up on /r/HailCorporate, where Redditors document native ad failures:

/r/HailCorporate is to document times when people act as unwitting advertisers for a product [example A] as well as to document what appear to legitimate adverts via [native advertising].

Why You Should Use Professional Video Hosting

When sharing video content online, businesses and professionals should use a professional online video hosting platform, rather than free sites like YouTube. That’s doubly true with Reddit where clumsy attempts at video marketing can backfire.  It’s better to maintain a professional perspective and approach.

Here are some of the major advantages of using a professional video hosting platform like Dacast:

1. White Label: brand all videos with your logo and colors. Improve SEO by directing all traffic towards your website.
2. Full Content Control: retain all rights to your video content. Bypass common workplace content blocking. And secure content with features like password protection, AES encryption, and referrer restrictions.
3. Monetization: insert custom ads into your videos in just a few clicks. Or use a paywall to monetize via subscriptions or pay-per-view.

When to Host Off-Platform (Dacast)

Reddit’s native upload tools work well for short clips, but they are not designed for longer or monetized videos. If your content runs over the 15-minute limit, or if you need more control over distribution, hosting with an external platform like Dacast is often the smarter option.

Situations where off-platform hosting makes sense:

• Long-form content: Reddit’s 15-minute and 1 GB caps will block bigger uploads. With Dacast, you can host full-length videos and share teasers or highlights on Reddit.
• Monetization: Set up pay-per-view, subscriptions (SVOD), or ad-supported streams with Dacast’s video monetization tools.
• Control and security: Apply DRM, geo-restrictions, or password protection to manage who sees your videos.
• SEO and analytics: Keep ownership of your traffic, track performance with detailed analytics, and embed with a customizable HTML5 video player.

Live → Highlights flow (since RPAN ended):

1. Stream your live event with Dacast’s live streaming platform and CDN delivery.
2. Save the recording on your Dacast account for on-demand playback.
3. Post a highlight reel back to Reddit, linking to the full version on your site.

This way, Reddit acts as a discovery channel while you keep full control of your content, monetization, and audience data.

FAQs

1. What’s the max video length and size on Reddit?

Reddit’s native upload limits are 15 minutes in length and 1 GB in file size. Supported formats include MP4 and MOV with the H.264 codec, though Reddit WebM uploads may work in some cases.

2. Can I upload captions to Reddit videos?

Yes, Reddit now offers auto-captions on mobile for some uploads, but accuracy can vary. For full control, many creators prefer burned-in subtitles or hosting through a player that supports caption files, like the Dacast HTML5 video player. This ensures captions are always accurate and on-brand.

3. Does Reddit support live streaming?

No. Reddit shut down its RPAN live streaming feature. If you want to stream events, the best approach is a Live → Highlights flow: host your event on Dacast’s live streaming platform, then share highlights or an AMA recap back to Reddit. This way, Reddit acts as a discovery tool while you keep monetization and analytics control.

4. How do I avoid removals on Reddit?

Use Reddit’s Rule-check tool before posting and always review the subreddit rules. Respect the long-standing 10:1 guideline, meaning contribute about ten times more community content than self-promotion. Following these practices reduces removals and builds trust across communities.

5. Should I cross-post my Reddit videos?

Yes, but only when it makes sense for the audience. Always customize your title and summary for each subreddit, disclose affiliation, and respect crosspost etiquette. This aligns with both community norms and the crosspost on Reddit etiquette guidelines.

6. When should I pay to boost a video on Reddit?

Consider Promoted Video ads only after testing organic performance first. If your Reddit Post Insights show strong engagement, paid boosting can help extend your reach to adjacent subreddits or demographics. You can learn more in Reddit’s business help center.

7. Where should I host videos longer than 15 minutes or monetized content?

Since Reddit has strict upload caps, longer or monetized videos should be hosted externally. With Dacast’s video-on-demand and video monetization tools, you can set up pay-per-view, subscriptions, or ad-supported streaming. Then, post a teaser or highlight reel on Reddit to drive traffic back to your site.

Conclusion

Posting a video on Reddit can be a powerful way to reach a targeted audience and gain exposure for your content. By carefully selecting the right subreddit, crafting an engaging title, optimizing your video post, and promoting it effectively, you can increase the chances of outranking other websites and achieving higher visibility on Google

Remember to consistently engage with the Reddit community, respond to comments, and provide valuable insights to establish yourself as a trusted source of quality content. With persistence and strategic execution, your videos on Reddit can generate substantial traction and contribute to the growth of your online presence

Do you need a video platform to host and organize your professional video content? At Dacast, we offer video hosting and live streaming services for broadcast professionals and small businesses alike. From corporate enterprises to universities to churches and community groups, our video platform is powerful and flexible.

Dacast is a fully white-label platform with built-in monetization tools. Your video content can be displayed cleanly on landing pages of your own design, and various security options are available. We hope you’ll consider the Dacast platform if you’re not already live streaming or hosting your video content with us.

Are you ready to learn more about Dacast and to test our live streaming and VOD performance? If so, just click the link below to sign up for our 14-day free trial (no credit card required). We’ll have you streaming in a matter of minutes.

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