Reddit introduced native video hosting in August 2017, enabling users to upload videos directly in posts no need for third-party platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.²⁰(Reddit Inc, Ars Technica) This enhancement allows for better visibility and engagement based on Reddit’s internal design rather than external links.
Video Posting Requirements
To successfully upload a video to Reddit, your content must meet strict technical guidelines:
- Format: MP4 or MOV (preferably H.264 video codec)(California Learning Resource Network, Outer Ideas, Tipard)
- Length: Maximum of 15 minutes(Ars Technica)
- Size Limit: Up to 1 GB(Tella)
- Aspect Ratio: Supported dimensions include 1:1, 4:5, 16:9, and 4:3(FlexClip)
How to Upload a Video on Reddit
1. Desktop or Web Browser
- Log into Reddit and click “Create Post”
- Select the “Image & Video” tab and upload your file
- Add a title, choose thumbnail if available, and submit to a subreddit(Tella, FlexClip)
2. Mobile App (Android/iOS)
- Tap the “New Post” (pencil icon), then choose “Video”
- Record on the spot using Camera, or pick from Library
- Trim the video if needed, enter a post title, select your subreddit, and upload(Tella, FlexClip)
Why Choose Native Video Over External Links?
- Higher visibility in feeds videos autoplay inline and are indexed by Reddit’s algorithm(California Learning Resource Network)
- Better community engagement comments and votes remain in the Reddit environment (no redirection)(California Learning Resource Network)
- Faster playback via Reddit’s CDN, usually with lower latency than third-party embeds(California Learning Resource Network)
Reddit Video Player: User Experience & Feedback
Reddit recently rolled out a redesigned video player across platforms to unify user experience. However, community feedback has been mixed:
- Many users criticize the UI buttons are unintuitive and fullscreen behavior differs from previous versions(Reddit)
- Frequent issues reported include:
Reddit staff has acknowledged these complaints and stated they’re working on improvements, but some features remain polarizing.(Reddit)
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
| Launch Year | Native video hosting introduced in August 2017(Ars Technica) |
| Allowed Formats | MP4, MOV (H.264 codec preferred) |
| Max Length / Size | Up to 15 minutes, 1 GB |
| Supported Ratios | 1:1, 4:5, 16:9, 4:3 |
| Posting Sources | Desktop/web, official mobile app |
| NSFW Subreddits | Often require external video links, not native videos |
| Viewer Experience | Inline autoplay, commentable, higher visibility |
| User Feedback | Video player redesign criticized for usability issues |
Pro Tips for Posting Reddit Videos
- Always check subreddit rules. Some don’t support native video.
- Use simple, descriptive titles to attract engagement.
- Trim or compress your video to fit within Reddit’s limits.
- Preview your upload before posting for smooth playback.
- Stay updated on Reddit’s player feedback threads and consider alternatives like Apollo if needed.


