How do I track the performance of different post types on Reddit?

Tracking the performance of different post types on Reddit can be done by defining key metrics, collecting data consistently, and comparing post types over equal timeframes. Use a combination of Reddit’s built-in analytics and external tracking to build a reliable picture of what resonates with your audience.

Define post types and goals

• Post types: text, image, video, link, poll, AMA, crossposts.
• Goals: visibility, engagement, click-throughs, subreddit growth, community feedback.
• Timeframe: use consistent windows (7 days, 30 days, 90 days).

Collect data consistently

• Reddit native analytics:

  • Access post-level metrics like upvotes, comments, awards, and CTR where available.
  • See overall performance by post type in your subreddit or creator dashboard where supported.

• Manual tracking:

  • Tag each post with its type in a simple spreadsheet.
  • Record date, subreddit, title, post type, upvotes, comments, awards, and click-throughs.

• Automated data:

  • Use Reddit API to fetch post data by type and timeframe.
  • Automate daily or weekly exports to a central sheet or database.

Build a simple comparison framework

1. Normalize metrics:

   • Calculate engagement rate: (comments + upvotes + awards) / views or followers.
   • Compute average engagement per post type.

2. Segment by type:

   • Group posts into text, image, video, link, etc.
   • Compute averages per group for each metric.

3. Compare over time:

   • Plot week-over-week changes for each post type.
   • Identify trends and seasonality (events, subreddits’ activity).

Metrics to track (actionable)

• Upvotes and comments – basic engagement signal.
• Awards – depth of engagement, signal of quality or resonance.
• Engagement rate – (comments + upvotes + awards) / impressions or reach.
• Impressions reach – number of times the post was seen.
• Click-throughs (CTR) – for link posts, measure external clicks if possible.
• Recall and republish rate – saved, shared, or crossposted interactions.
• Subreddit growth impact – new subscribers vs. post type activity.

Best practices for accurate measurement

• Use consistent time windows to avoid mixing seasonal effects.
• Label posts clearly with type and date to prevent misclassification.
• Compare like-for-like – similar topics, same subreddits, similar length.
• Account for visibility – big posts may skew data; consider sampling.
• Combine sources – mix Reddit analytics with your own export data for completeness.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Ignoring context – a high-engagement post type may just align with platform trends.
• Overfitting to one metric – focus on a balanced set of metrics, not just upvotes.
• Inconsistent tagging – mislabeling post types breaks comparisons.
• Not accounting for post length or topic – longer posts may attract more comments regardless of type.

Practical example workflow

• Tag every post with its type in your content calendar.
• Export post data weekly from Reddit and your own tracking sheet.
• Compute per-type averages for upvotes, comments, and engagement rate.
• Visualize trends in a dashboard or sheet to spot which post types perform best over time.
• Adjust content strategy based on findings and re-measure after a set period.

Quick-start checklist

• Decide post types to track (text, image, video, link, poll).
• Set a fixed timeframe (e.g., 30 days) for initial comparison.
• Enable consistent tagging and data collection.
• Gather metrics: impressions, upvotes, comments, awards, CTR.
• Calculate engagement rate per post type.
• Review results and identify top-performing types.
• Iterate content plan based on insights.

SEE ALSO:

• Which software helps in generating reddit auto moderator rules
• How do i track the lifespan of a reddit post
• What are the best tools for analyzing subreddit activity heatmaps
• What are the best tools for analyzing the engagement of reddit video posts