Running Local Ads on Reddit? You Might Be Invisible

How Local Businesses Can Hyper-Target by City or Interest

You set your targeting. You hit “launch.” You wait. And…nothing. No clicks. No comments. No curious locals walking through your door.

If you’re a local business running Reddit Ads and wondering why they feel more like a whisper into the void than a shout across town, you’re not alone.

Here’s the thing: It’s not that Reddit is broken. It’s that most local campaigns are just aimed in the wrong direction.

• Broad targeting ≠ hyper-local visibility
• “Food & Drink” ≠ r/ChicagoFood
• A flashy ad ≠ real engagement in a community that values authenticity

This guide is here to help you fix that. We’ll walk through how to find your people on Reddit, show up in the right local conversations, and stop wasting impressions on the wrong audience.

Let’s make your next local Reddit campaign one that gets noticed by the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

Reddit's Not Built for Broad Local Targeting (But That's a Good Thing)

Ever tried to run local ads on Reddit by selecting a basic location and calling it a day? That’s probably where things started to go quiet.

Unlike platforms like Facebook or Google, where zip-code-level targeting is the default, Reddit’s strength isn’t just geographic. Instead, it’s community-specific. And that means if you're not showing up in the right subreddits, your local ad could be airing in front of exactly zero of your actual neighbors.

Why Local Ads Go Unnoticed on Reddit

Here’s what’s likely happening:

• You’re targeting users in a city, but not those engaging in city-based subs (like r/Chicago or r/Denver).
• You’re relying on interest categories like “Dining” or “Fitness,” which cast way too wide a net.
• Your ad is showing up in front of lurkers, not talkers.

Reddit isn’t built for blanket awareness. It’s built for niche interest + location-based engagement, and that’s exactly why it works so well (if you do it right).

Where Your Local Ads Should Be

To reach the people who live and breathe your city or topic, you need to:

• Target subreddits by city, region, or neighborhood (like r/Austin, r/SanDiego, or r/Philly).
• Layer in interest-specific subs relevant to your business (like r/Coffee, r/PersonalFinance, or r/Fitness).
• Refine your message to feel hyper-relevant instead of just geo-relevant.

For example, a new brunch spot in Chicago might combine:

• r/Chicago + r/Brunch + mobile device targeting

Instead of just targeting “Food & Drink” and hoping for the best.

City Subreddits Are Where Locals Actually Hang Out

When you're thinking about running local ads on Reddit, don't just think location targeting. Think local conversation. That’s the real unlock.

Reddit’s city-based subreddits are digital hangouts where people go to:

• Ask for local business recommendations
• Share neighborhood news, events, and restaurant openings
• Rant (or rave) about traffic, pizza places, and everything in between
• Debate which taco truck is the best in town (don’t get involved unless you’re ready)

These are tight-knit communities that thrive on authenticity, usefulness, and real engagement. That means local businesses have an opportunity to show up and be part of the discussion.

Why These Subs Are Gold for Local Advertising

Here’s why city-specific subreddits are your secret weapon:

• High intent:  People posting in r/Chicago asking for brunch spots? Yeah, they’re probably going to brunch this weekend.
• Community influence: A single positive mention can drive serious traffic. Word-of-mouth on Reddit is loud and lasting.
• Content that fits in: Locals love hearing from local businesses, especially when the tone is human and the info is useful.

What Not to Do

Let’s get one thing clear: city subreddits aren’t billboards. They’re group chats. If you show up like a pushy marketer, you’ll get ignored at best or roasted at worst.

Avoid:

• Copy-paste ad copy
• Generic promos that don’t acknowledge the local context
• Ignoring comments or community responses

We recommend testing organic-style ads or Sponsored Posts that sound like a local and add value. For example:

“Hey Chicago! We’re a new bagel shop opening next week in River North. What’s one thing you wish more breakfast spots did better?”

Now you’re part of the conversation. And once you’re part of the conversation, loyalty (and visibility) follows.

Hyper-Targeting by Interest + Location = Magic

So, you've got your eye on Reddit’s location-based subreddits, but don’t stop there. The real magic happens when you combine location targeting with interest-based targeting. It’s like pairing deep-dish with cold beer: each one is good on its own, but together? Perfection.

Why Layering Works

Let’s say you’re a local outdoor gear shop in Denver. Targeting r/Denver is a great start, but if you layer in subreddit targeting like r/CampingGear, r/Hiking, or even r/Outdoors, now you’re reaching people who are both local and ready to buy what you’re offering.

It’s the difference between showing up in someone’s feed vs. showing up in someone’s plans.

Smart Targeting Means Less Waste

Reddit’s self-identified communities make it easier to tap into real intent. Someone browsing r/HomeImprovement is way more likely to engage with your local hardware store than a random user in a general “DIY” interest category. Combine that with location filters, and now you’re spending smarter, not just broader.

Here are a few targeting pairings we love:

BUSINESS TYPE	LOCATION + INTEREST TARGETING COMBO
Local Coffee Shop	r/Chicago + r/Coffee
Boutique Gym	r/Minneapolis + r/Fitness
Bookstore	r/Michigan + r/Books
Specialty Pet Store	r/Denver + r/dogs or r/pets

Use this layered strategy to test different combinations: run a few ad sets with different subreddits layered onto your geotarget, then watch performance like a hawk. You’ll quickly see which communities drive engagement, clicks, or conversions, and which are just scrolling by.

The bottom line? Reddit lets you reach people not just where they are, but who they are. They’ve got the kind of relevance most platforms only dream about.

 

Common Mistakes Local Businesses Make (& How to Avoid Them)

 

Convinced you should run Reddit Ads as a local business? Great! But don’t go full steam ahead without checking your blind spots. Here are some of the most common mistakes we see and how to sidestep them like a digital marketing ninja.

 

Mistake #1: Relying Only on Broad Interest Categories

Why it’s a problem: Reddit offers tempting categories like “Food & Drink,” “Home & Garden,” or “Fitness.” Sounds useful, right? Not always. These are often too vague to drive meaningful engagement, especially for local businesses.

 

Fix it: Go deeper. Use subreddit-level targeting tied to local interests and relevant conversations. A juice bar in Chicago doesn’t need all of “Health & Fitness”—it needs r/Chicago + r/Fitness + mobile users on lunch break.

 

Mistake #2: Ignoring the Culture of Subreddits

Why it’s a problem: Redditors can sniff out a salesy, out-of-place ad from a mile away. If your copy doesn’t match the tone or values of the subreddit, it’s likely to be ignored.

 

 

Fix it: Lurk first. Read posts. Learn the in-jokes. Mirror the way people naturally talk in those communities. When in doubt, go for conversational over corporate.

 

Mistake #3: Skipping Geo Targeting Altogether

Why it’s a problem: Reddit’s national scale is cool, but your local HVAC company probably doesn’t need impressions from New York if you're based in Tulsa.

 

Fix it: Use Reddit’s location filters to narrow your campaign by city or region. Bonus: combine it with local subreddits like r/Tulsa, r/SeattleWA, or r/Denver for extra-local precision.

 

Mistake #4: Forgetting to Exclude Irrelevant Subreddits

Why it’s a problem: If you don’t tell Reddit where not to show your ad, it might show up in some wild places (like r/frugal for a luxury product). Not the vibe.

 

Fix it: Use negative targeting. Make a “do not serve” list of subreddits that aren’t aligned with your audience or tone. A little exclusion goes a long way in protecting your brand and budget.

 

Mistake #5: One Ad Fits All

Why it’s a problem: Different subreddits have different cultures. Running the same message everywhere usually means it resonates…nowhere.

 

Fix it: Tweak your creative per audience. A cheeky tone may win in r/ChicagoFood, while a more informative post may work better in r/SmallBusiness or r/LocalEvents.

 

Reddit Ads aren’t a set-it-and-forget-it tool. Start with small tests, listen to the data (and the comments!), and tweak your targeting and messaging as you go. Flexibility wins here.

 

Bonus Tips to Make Local Reddit Ads Work

Once your geo-targeting is in place and your audience is dialed in, it’s time to fine-tune your execution. Because Reddit rewards effort, and users notice when you try.

 

Promote Threads, Not Just Products

Reddit users love a good discussion. If you’re just posting “$2 off tacos today,” you might get scrolled past. But if you start a convo like “Best under-$10 meals in Chicago?” and feature your tacos in the comments…now you’re cooking.

 

Try Conversation Ads to kick off meaningful threads. They feel organic, and the engagement can be real-time gold.

 

Make Creative That Feels Local

Stock images won’t cut it. Use photos of your actual space, team, or food/product in the real world. Mention landmarks, local lingo, or even reference a neighborhood inside joke. Redditors appreciate brands that get it.

 

And keep it casual. Reddit isn’t Instagram. Authentic >>> polished.

 

Turn Organic Wins Into Paid Plays

See a thread where your business gets a shout-out? Screenshot it. Reply. Promote it. Turn that love into awareness by boosting what’s already resonating.

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Just keep it rolling.

Don't Be a Ghost in Your Own Backyard 👻

Local businesses have a huge opportunity on Reddit, but most are either flying blind or flying way under the radar.

Reddit rewards the bold, relevant, and real. So if your local campaign is feeling invisible, it’s likely the playbook.

Ready to stop blending in and start getting noticed? Let’s talk. At BFO, we help businesses unlock Reddit’s full potential with smarter, sharper, hyper-local ad strategies that connect.

Whether you're testing your first campaign or want to overhaul your current approach, we’re here to help you be found—right where your audience is!