Reddit Expects Stronger Revenue Boosted by AI-Driven Ad Sales

Reuters | February 05, 2026 at 09:37 PM UTC
Bullish 86% Confidence Unanimous Agreement
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Key Points

  • First-quarter revenue forecast of $595-$605 million exceeds analyst estimates of $577.2 million, with adjusted EBITDA guidance of $210-$220 million above the $202.9 million estimate
  • Fourth-quarter revenue jumped 70% year-over-year to $726 million, surpassing expectations of $665.4 million, while global average revenue per user increased 42%
  • Reddit's AI-powered ad tools include an AI copywriter for platform-specific ad copy and Max campaigns in beta that automate bidding and creative selection to compete with Meta's offerings

AI Summary

Reddit Projects Strong Q1 Revenue on AI-Enhanced Advertising Platform

Reddit forecast first-quarter revenue between $595 million and $605 million, exceeding Wall Street's estimate of $577.2 million, as AI-powered advertising tools attract more marketers to the platform. The company's shares rose following the announcement.

Q4 Performance Highlights:

  • Revenue surged 70% year-over-year to $726 million, beating estimates of $665.4 million
  • Daily active unique visitors grew 19% to 121.4 million
  • Global average revenue per user increased 42%
  • Adjusted EBITDA forecast of $210-220 million for Q1 surpasses estimates of $202.9 million

AI-Driven Advertising Strategy:

Reddit's ad platform leverages artificial intelligence to streamline campaign creation and management. Key features include an AI copywriter that generates platform-specific ad copy and automatic image cropping tools. The company is also testing "Max campaigns" in beta, which automate bidding and dynamically optimize ad creatives—positioning Reddit as a direct competitor to Meta's advertising solutions.

Market Positioning:

The social media platform's strength lies in its ability to place ads directly within subreddit discussion threads, allowing brands to reach highly engaged niche communities. This targeted approach has proven effective in attracting advertisers seeking to connect with specific audiences relevant to their products and services.

Competitive Landscape:

Reddit joins Meta and Snap in reporting strong fourth-quarter revenue results, indicating robust health in the digital advertising sector. The company's AI-powered tools represent an escalation in competition with established players like Meta for advertising dollars.

This marks Reddit's continued momentum following its March 2024 NYSE listing, demonstrating the platform's ability to monetize its unique community-driven user base.

Model Analysis Breakdown

Model Sentiment Confidence
GPT-5-mini Bullish 85%
Claude 4.5 Haiku Bullish 85%
Gemini 2.5 Flash Bullish 90%
Consensus Bullish 86%