Reddit Introduces New Ad-Hiding Feature

Reddit has rolled out a new ad control feature that allows users to hide specific advertisers from their feeds for at least a year, offering a more customized browsing experience.

Key Features of the Ad-Hiding Update

• Hide Ads Easily: Users can hide an ad using a dropdown menu on any feed-based advertisement.

• Long-Term Blocking: Once hidden, ads from that advertiser’s account will not appear for at least a year.

• Report Function Still Available: The existing ‘Report’ function remains, which also triggers advertiser blocking.

• Gradual Rollout: The update is being implemented across iOS, Android, and desktop over the coming weeks.

Why This Update Matters for Advertisers

This change places a stronger emphasis on quality advertising and precise targeting. Since users can block an advertiser’s entire account with one click, poor ad relevance or low-quality creatives could result in a long-term loss of reach.

How Advertisers Can Adapt:

• Improve Audience Targeting: Ensuring ads are relevant to specific user interests will reduce the chances of being hidden.

• Enhance Creative Quality: High-quality, engaging ads will help maintain visibility and prevent ad-blocking.

• Monitor User Feedback: Understanding user sentiment will be essential for refining ad strategies.

Reddit’s Response to User Feedback

The introduction of the ‘Hide’ feature follows growing dissatisfaction with intrusive or irrelevant ads on social media platforms. Reddit aims to strike a balance between monetization and user experience, positioning itself as more responsive than competitors.

This feature also builds upon last year’s sensitive ad filters, which allowed users to limit exposure to ads in categories like politics and religion.

What’s Next for Reddit Ads?

Reddit has stated that it will continue improving ad control features and is actively seeking community feedback on the new functionality. Users can expect further refinements based on responses from the Reddit community.

While Reddit remains an ad-supported platform, the ability to block specific advertisers for a full year represents a significant shift toward user-centric ad experiences. For advertisers, this means ensuring ads are engaging, well-targeted, and relevant—or risk being hidden from large portions of their audience.