Let me tell you something about Reddit.

I’ve been hooked on the platform for years. Whether it’s diving deep into niche communities, using it to win fantasy football championships, or just soaking up the endless stream of conversations, Reddit has always been one of my favorite places on the internet. Back in 2018, I even conducted a study on Reddit marketing, breaking down best practices for over 150 subreddits and how brands could use the platform to connect with audiences authentically.

At the time, most marketers weren’t paying attention to Reddit…

I was out here telling anyone who’d listen: this platform is a goldmine.

Fast forward to today, and Reddit isn’t just where I go for advice on who to start at wide receiver. It’s where I see businesses and marketers unlocking some of the most unique opportunities in SEO.

Here’s the thing about Reddit: it’s not just a forum. It’s a search engine. And not just any search engine—it’s one of Google’s favorite sources for user-generated content. Time and time again, I’ve seen Reddit threads dominate the SERPs for high-value keywords, driving traffic and building authority in a way few platforms can replicate.

If you’re a marketer who’s ready to think outside the box—or, more importantly, outside the walled gardens of traditional SEO—then Reddit SEO is an opportunity you can’t ignore. And in this post, I’ll break down exactly how you can rank in the SERPs by creating content that thrives on Reddit and delivers real results.

Let’s get started.

Why Reddit Matters for SEO

Here’s a little secret: Reddit isn’t just a social platform. It’s a search engine in its own right.

And as shared with Wix, Reddit is officially open for brands looking to do business.

People go to Reddit to find answers, reviews, and insights they can trust. From niche hobbies to complex B2B solutions, Reddit is where in-depth conversations happen. This user-generated content is authentic, diverse, and rich with keywords, making it a goldmine for SEO.

But here’s the kicker: it’s not just Reddit that benefits. Google regularly indexes Reddit threads because they offer value that matches search intent. When someone Googles a question, there’s a good chance a Reddit thread is one of the top results.

For marketers, that’s an opportunity. By creating strategic Reddit content, you can:

• Own high-ranking real estate in the SERPs.
• Drive referral traffic to your website.
• Build credibility and trust in your industry.

But before we get into the tactics, let’s address the elephant in the room: Reddit’s culture.

The Rules of Engagement on Reddit

Since the Helpful Content Update, Google has rewarded Reddit quite handsomely.

According to Similarweb, Reddit is the nineth most visited website on the internet:

According to SEMrush it’s top six:

Reddit SEO is a treasure trove of long-tail keywords. These are longer, more specific keyword phrases that have lower search volume but higher conversion rates. By targeting these keywords in your Reddit posts and comments, you can increase your chances of ranking for them in the SERPs.

But don’t just stuff your posts with keywords – make sure they are naturally incorporated into your content and add value to the discussion.

If you treat Reddit like just another platform to spam your links, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Redditors are notoriously protective of their communities, and overt self-promotion will get flagged, downvoted, or even banned.

Instead, think of Reddit as a conversation—not a billboard. The key is to add value, engage authentically, and only share links when they genuinely serve the discussion.

Here are a few golden rules:

1. Be Helpful: Answer questions, share insights, and solve problems without expecting anything in return.
2. Respect Subreddit Rules: Every subreddit has its own guidelines. Read them. Follow them.
3. Build Trust First: Don’t drop a link in your first post. Contribute to the community first and establish credibility.
4. Be Transparent: If you’re sharing your own content, disclose it. Transparency goes a long way on Reddit.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about how to use Reddit for SEO.

How To Do Reddit Keyword Research

If you’re in SaaS marketing, you already know how competitive the bottom of the funnel (BOFU) can be.

Keywords like “best [software type]” or “[software] alternatives” are prime real estate because they’re one of the last stops before a potential customer makes their decision.

For years, platforms like Capterra, G2, and TrustRadius have been dominating this space. But recently, something interesting happened: Reddit is climbing the ranks, becoming a key player in the fight for BOFU keywords.

Using STAT, I analyzed the keywords Capterra, G2, and TrustRadius rank for.

In the past, these comparison sites reliably held the top spots for high-intent searches. But in the data, Reddit has emerged as a serious contender, consistently increasing its share of voice over the past 90 days.

Here’s the most surprising part: Reddit isn’t just sneaking into the top 10—it’s becoming a dominant force.

For certain SaaS keywords, Reddit threads are outranking long-established competitors like G2 and even content-heavy sites like Forbes. Take the keyword “Trello alternative” as a prime example. It has an impressive search volume of 8,100 per month with a CPC of $1.49, indicating clear commercial intent. The #1 ranking URL for this query?

A series of Reddit threads:

Why is this significant?

Because this Reddit URL isn’t a polished, content-marketing masterpiece. It’s a collection of user-generated posts in subreddits like r/trello, r/selfhosted, and r/agile where people share their experiences with Trello alternatives like Plaky, Asana, and ClickUp. Despite its informal nature, it outranks Zapier’s highly optimized content on “The 8 Best Trello Alternatives in 2024.”

Looking at the search traffic data, Reddit’s r/trello thread drives over 1,300 visitors per month for variations of “Trello alternative.” Compare that to Zapier’s page, which pulls in around 330 visits per month.

That’s a 4x traffic advantage—from a thread that probably took zero dollars to create.

This is happening across the board.

For BOFU SaaS keywords, Reddit is becoming the unexpected winner. Let’s talk about how you can capitalize on this…

How to Use Reddit SEO to Rank in the SERPs

1. Target Long-Tail Keywords

People use Reddit to ask specific, conversational questions—questions that often match search queries word for word.

Here’s how to find them:

• Use Reddit’s search bar to explore questions related to your niche.
• Check Google for autofill suggestions and see which Reddit threads are already ranking.
• Use tools like STAT, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify long-tail keywords and validate their search volume.

Once you have your target keywords, find the posts that are ranking in the SERP today and respond with valuable content.

Focus on answering the question comprehensively, as this increases the chances of your post being indexed and ranked.

2. Create High-Quality, Evergreen Posts

To rank on Google, your Reddit content needs to be valuable and evergreen. This means creating posts that provide lasting value, whether it’s an in-depth guide, a comprehensive list, or a detailed answer to a common question.

Examples of content that works well:

• How-to guides: “How to [Achieve a Goal] in [Industry].”
• Reviews: “My Honest Experience With [Product/Service].”
• Explainers: “Why [Topic] Matters in [Field].”

When your post is detailed, helpful, and relevant, it’s more likely to be upvoted by Redditors and indexed by Google.

3. Optimize for Search Engines

While Reddit content naturally performs well on Google, you can give it an extra boost by applying basic SEO principles:

• Use Keywords: Include your target keywords in the title, body, and tags of your Reddit post.
• Write Clickable Titles: Google often displays Reddit thread titles in the SERPs, so make yours compelling and clear.
• Add Internal Links: If the subreddit allows it, link to related Reddit threads to keep users engaged and boost SEO value.
• Leverage High-Authority Subreddits: Subreddits with more subscribers and activity are more likely to rank in Google.

4. Repurpose Existing Content

 

If you already have high-performing blog posts, videos, or infographics, Reddit is a great place to repurpose that content. But instead of just dropping a link, summarize the key points in your post and only link to your content as an optional resource.

One of the best things you can do today is to leverage AI tools to rewrite blog posts as Reddit threads.

For example: If you wrote a blog about “The Best Tools for Content Marketing,” share a short summary in a relevant subreddit (ideally one filled with your ideal customer) and then include a link with a line like, “Here’s a deeper dive into the tools if anyone’s interested.”

5. Engage in the Comments

Google values engagement. People trust comments from other people.

A Reddit thread with active comments and discussions is more likely to rank higher in the SERPs. So don’t just post and leave—stick around to answer questions, provide additional context, and keep the conversation going.

Another benefit of engaging in the comments is that it allows you to gather valuable feedback and insights from your target audience. By actively participating in discussions, you can learn more about their pain points, interests, and preferences. This information can then be used to improve your content and tailor it to better meet the needs of your audience.

6. Track Your Results

Reddit SEO isn’t just about creating content—it’s about learning what works. Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to track which Reddit threads are ranking for your target keywords. Pay attention to traffic from Reddit in Google Analytics, and refine your approach based on what’s driving results.

Examples of Reddit SEO in Action

Here are some real-world examples of how Reddit content ranks:

• A thread in r/SEO discussing “Best Free SEO Tools” regularly appears on the first page of Google for related searches.
• A post in r/PersonalFinance on “How to Save for Retirement in Your 30s” drives consistent traffic to financial planning blogs.
• A review thread in r/SmallBusiness about CRM tools ranks highly for product-specific searches.

The Takeaway

Reddit SEO is more than just a growth hack—it’s a strategy for building visibility, authority, and trust in the places your audience already turns to for answers. By creating valuable, keyword-rich content and engaging authentically, you can leverage Reddit to rank in the SERPs and drive meaningful traffic to your brand.

So, the next time you’re looking for ways to grow your presence online, don’t overlook the potential of Reddit. With the right approach, it can be a cornerstone of your SEO strategy—and an authentic way to connect with your audience.

Let’s get to work.