With over 52 million daily active users, Reddit is one of the most visited websites in the world. The platform is made up of thousands of communities called "subreddits", each covering a specific topic or area of interest.
While there are countless niches and subcultures represented on Reddit, a handful of subreddits have risen to widespread popularity over the years. These communities boast millions of subscribers and dominate Reddit‘s front page.
In this post, we‘ll explore the 25 most popular subreddits on Reddit as of 2022. Understanding these highly active corners of Reddit offers useful insight into the interests and values of the platform‘s broad user base.
As a social media marketing expert with over 10 years of experience studying online communities, I‘ve witnessed firsthand how these top subreddits engage users and spread viral content. By analyzing what makes each subreddit unique and appealing, brands can more effectively reach Reddit‘s core demographics.
Without further ado, here are the 25 subreddits with the most subscribers along with a deep dive into the content that defines each community:
1. r/announcements – 130 million subscribers
As the official subreddit for Reddit announcements, r/announcements provides a space for the platform‘s admins to update users on new features, changes, etc. All Reddit users are automatically subscribed, accounting for its unmatched subscriber count.
While r/announcements differs from more active subreddits, it offers transparency into Reddit‘s priorities and vision through admin postings and user Q&As. Monitoring this space can provide brands valuable insight into Reddit‘s future direction.
2. r/funny – 124 million subscribers
Catering to Reddit‘s humorous side, r/funny serves up a daily dose of amusing content like memes, jokes, comics, and viral videos. As one of the default subreddits, r/funny enjoys immense popularity but also faces criticism over low-quality submissions.
With 124 million subscribers, r/funny boasts an engaged audience ripe for lighthearted branded content. However, accusations of excessive advertising make organic approaches like sponsoring contests critical for real engagement.
3. r/AskReddit – 31 million subscribers
On r/AskReddit, users pose open-ended questions on any topic imaginable, prompting intriguing discussions in the comments. Questions exploring personal anecdotes, ethical dilemmas, and thought experiments see significant engagement.
For brands, sponsoring engaging AskReddit questions related to your industry provides exposure to its 31 million opinionated subscribers. Be sure questions are impartial to avoid backlash.
4. r/gaming – 28 million subscribers
As a massive hub for gaming content, r/gaming spans thoughtful discussions, news, fan art, let‘s plays, AMAs, and more for all types of video games and platforms. It reflects gaming‘s commanding presence in internet culture.
For companies with gaming-adjacent products, r/gaming offers direct access to one of entertainment‘s most passionate fanbases. While advertising is frowned upon, branded gamer gear and sponsored giveaways generally resonate.
5. r/aww – 27 million subscribers
When you need a cute animal pick-me-up, this subreddit delivers. r/aww overloaded with adorable critters is perfect for putting a smile on your face. No human kids allowed!
While r/aww seems an unlikely place for brands, sponsored animal content does well here. Pet food and animal care brands have successfully partnered with shelters and pet influencers for well-received r/aww posts.
6. r/Music – 28 million subscribers
r/Music facilitates meaningful music discussions, discovery, recommendations, and reviews. All genres are covered from pop and hip-hop to metal and classical. Users bond over music passions.
Record labels and music services leverage r/Music to organically promote new releases through posts and AMAs. Sponsored content works when crafted as real recommendations from a fellow music fan.
7. r/pics – 26 million subscribers
This broad community allows just about any image content from professional photography to amateur smartphone pics. The unpredictable stream of r/pics visual content keeps users scrolling.
For visual brands, providing value via striking high-res photography generates organic engagement in r/pics. Sponsored posts work best when avoiding blatant promotion. For example, a car brand could post artful images of automobiles in scenic locales.
8. r/worldnews – 26 million subscribers
r/worldnews focuses on major international news and political analysis. It helps users stay informed beyond their geographic bubbles. Moderation ensures civil discourse.
This politically engaged audience makes r/worldnews ideal for public policy groups and NGOs to organically discuss their positions or sponsored studies. Avoid sensationalism and keep things factual.
9. r/science – 26 million subscribers
This science forum shares new studies across fields, cool experiments, space/physics content, AMAs with experts, and informed discussions. The community values evidence.
For science and tech companies, sponsored AMAs and content showcasing research advancements generate quality engagement. Users dislike obvious branding so focus on the science itself over promotions.
10. r/movies – 26 million subscribers
r/movies facilitates rich cinematic discourse through news, memes, box office figures, fan theories, and movie recommendations/reviews. Its active community caters to cinephiles.
Entertainment brands from streaming services to merch companies successfully promote here through contests, early screenings, sponsored reviews, and authentic brand interactions. Align any marketing with cinephiles‘ passions.
11. r/todayilearned – 26 million subscribers
On r/todayilearned (TIL), users share fascinating obscure facts and expanded knowledge on both serious and lighthearted topics. The subreddit name says it all.
Edutainment brands focused on knowledge and trivia can provide value through relevant and novel sponsored TIL posts. Keep things fun and avoid overly academic content. Topic variety is key.
12. r/videos – 25 million subscribers
This leading subreddit compilation of videos has everything from funny clips to movie trailers to informational content. It‘s a premier destination to watch or share viral videos.
For video-focused brands, providing entertaining, educational, or inspiring branded video content that users actively seek out helps build goodwill. Avoid overly promotional videos that feel like ads.
13. r/news – 23 million subscribers
For up-to-date news coverage and nuanced discussions, r/news is a trustworthy source. Users analyze top stories and current events from around the globe.
Reputable journalism outlets drive subscriptions through sponsored AMAs with reporters covering important news stories. Avoid sensationalized or biased coverage to maintain credibility.
14. r/Showerthoughts – 21 million subscribers
This subreddit collects "shower thoughts"—those random epiphanies and realizations that come to us throughout the day. The musings often offer an amusing new perspective.
While r/Showerthoughts may seem an unlikely place for brands, those with a witty, self-aware voice could provide laughs via sponsored posts written to feel like organic shower thoughts.
15. r/Jokes – 20 million subscribers
This massive collection of jokes submitted by Redditors provides a daily dose of humor. Puns, one-liners, memes, and funny personal anecdotes make up the content.
Comedic brands like TV shows, podcasts, or humor sites can engage users through branded joke contests promoting user submissions and voting. Stick to the subreddit‘s style of humor.
16. r/food – 19 million subscribers
r/food satiates foodies‘ passions through mouthwatering photos, recipes, cooking tips, restaurant recommendations, and more. It‘s both informative and fun.
Though r/food prohibits direct advertising, eateries and food brands subtly promote through user-generated photos of their products. Sponsoring recipe contests also create engagement.
17. r/askscience – 19 million subscribers
Got a scientific question? Experts on r/askscience provide answers grounded in peer-reviewed research across disciplines like physics, biology, chemistry, etc.
Similar to r/science, academic institutions and science companies can participate in sponsored AMAs to highlight experts and new research without outright promotion.
18. r/IAmA – 19 million subscribers
r/IAmA facilitates intriguing Q&A sessions ("AMAs") with celebrities, professionals, and ordinary people with unique experiences. It satiates curiosity.
Public figures and companies looking to engage audiences can participate in branded AMAs to showcase expertise, increase transparency, and build trust through authentic discussion.
19. r/Earthp*rn – 19 million subscribers
This pictorial celebration of nature‘s beauty curates stunning photography of landscapes across the globe. It inspires wanderlust and appreciation of the outdoors.
Outdoor brands like REI and National Parks have succeeded through sponsored Earthp*rn photography contests highlighting users exploring gorgeous environments with branded gear.
20. r/gifs – 19 million subscribers
This endless stream of animated GIFs pulls content from every corner of pop culture. You‘ll find amusing, adorable, and awesome GIFs perfect for reactions and entertainment.
Brands with strong visual identities can have fun sponsoring gif creation contests for user-generated content. Amusing branded GIF content also spreads organically.
21. r/nottheonion – 18 million subscribers
This subreddit compiles absurd yet real news stories so strange they seem fake. The truth is often stranger than fiction.
While challenging for brands, those with distinct personalities could create viral user-generated nottheonion sponsored contests for odd fictional brand news stories. Reward creativity.
22. r/books – 18 million subscribers
Fellow bookworms unite on r/books to discuss classics, obscure reads, new releases, recommendations, and all things literary. It‘s a diverse forum for bibliophiles.
Publishers drive engagement by sponsoring free ebook giveaways, ARC reviews, AMAs with authors, virtual book club discussions, and other organic community activities.
23. r/DIY – 18 million subscribers
r/DIY empowers users to create through how-tos, sought-after skills, and innovative ideas to inspire homemade projects and crafts. Makers unite!
From Home Depot to Michaels, brands focused on creating sponsor well-received DIY tutorials and contests leveraging branded products. Align branding with empowering users.
24. r/explainlikeimfive – 17 million subscribers
ELI5 breaks down complex concepts into plain explanations understandable for everyday people. If you‘re confused by a topic, the clear answers here help.
Brands in complicated fields like finance and tech can sponsor plain language ELI5 posts to educate consumers without patronizing. Focus on teaching vs selling.
25. r/LifeProTips – 17 million subscribers
This subreddit compiles seemingly obvious but clever and practical tips that streamline everyday life. r/LifeProTips helps you work smarter.
Brands providing services/products that solve common problems are a natural fit for sponsored life hack content. For example, a delivery app could provide tips for efficient packing.
Analyzing Reddit‘s top subreddits provides valuable insights into the motivations and interests of its users. Here are some key learnings:
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Entertainment is king. Subreddits focused on humor, animals, movies, gaming, and diversion draw massive audiences seeking fun distractions.
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Informative subreddits thrive. Those that teach and enlighten also see impressive popularity, revealing Redditors‘ intellectual curiosity. Educational content captures attention.
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Niche passions connect. From music to DIY, specialized interests unite niche Redditors. There are shared spaces for virtually every hobby and fandom.
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Interactivity builds communities. Subreddits facilitating questions, advice, and open discussion often gain momentum via participatory back-and-forth.
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Imagery engages. Subreddits built around photos, GIFs, and videos leverage the power of visuals for entertainment and expression.
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Reddit mirrors the internet. Trendy memes, viral moments, and general pop culture permeate the top subreddits, reflecting broader online trends.
Brands that align sponsored content with these key takeaways can effectively reach Reddit‘s communities in an organic way. Provide entertainment, information, or resources relevant to the subreddit without overly promotional messaging.
While Reddit plays host to millions of active communities, these 25 subreddits serve as hubs that appeal to a significant portion of Redditors.
From humor and entertainment to news and learning, the top subreddits feature habit-forming content that keeps bring users back daily. They offer value propositions—laughter, knowledge, community, inspiration—that resonate powerfully.
For both loyal Redditors and newcomers, familiarizing yourself with these popular subreddits provides useful insight into the platform‘s audience. You gain perspective into the content and interactions that compel engagement.
As a social media marketer, analyzing why these communities attract millions of subscribers enables me to offer data-backed advice to brands seeking to authentically engage Reddit users.
The key is crafting branded content that aligns with the expectations and values of each subreddit community. Entertain rather than promote. Inform rather than advertise. Facilitate enrichment and engagement.
While often challenging, effectively navigating Reddit‘s influential yet finicky subculture can provide immense value in reaching younger demographics. Hopefully these insights into the top subreddits offer a helpful starting point for resonating on one of the internet‘s most vocal forums.
