Ask Reddit: What Big Changes Are Marketers Making in 2025?

Everyone's got something to say on Reddit these days. I mean, it is one of the most active online communities in the world.

Since inking a deal with Google, Reddit's engagement has gone through the roof, which is why I turned to Reddit to ask its surge of users the hard-hitting marketing questions and receive the raw feedback Reddit is known for.

My first question: what are marketers looking to cut in 2025? You can read the full thread below, but if you're not active on Reddit, I paraphrased the responses in a way that's easier to read and draw insights from.

What's one thing you're looking to cut from your marketing in 2025?
byu/devinpickell inmarketing

1. Moving away from paid ads: the ROI just isn’t there anymore

For years, Google Ads was foundational to marketing campaigns. But now, marketers on Reddit are saying the ROI just isn’t there anymore.

With high competition driving up costs, many in niche and B2B spaces find it increasingly hard to justify the spend. The feeling is that assets such as display ads often disrupt user experience rather than engage, and people are increasingly tuning them out or using ad blockers.

So, where’s the budget going instead? The Reddit community shared that they’re moving funds toward owned channels like email and SMS. These channels allow for direct, personalized communication with customers, giving marketers control and a more reliable return on investment.

This shift signals a larger trend: moving away from broad, expensive ad strategies in favor of building long-term, relationship-driven connections.

2. In-house over big agencies: bringing marketing back home

Another strong sentiment from Reddit is the move away from agency dependence.

For brands with consistent marketing needs, in-house teams are proving not only more economical but also better aligned with brand goals. Reddit marketers expressed frustration with agency turnover and the frequent lack of accountability, which can compromise the quality and consistency of work.

By taking things in-house, these marketers feel they gain more control over their strategies and can execute campaigns that truly reflect their brand’s values. While agencies certainly have their place, more companies in 2025 are choosing to invest in internal teams that understand their brand deeply and are directly accountable for results.

3. Conferences are being reevaluated

Networking events and trade shows have traditionally been seen as valuable marketing investments, but Reddit marketers are beginning to question their ROI.

Many noted that while conferences offer access to industry insiders and potential clients, the benefits are often too vague or intangible to justify the expense, especially with budgets under scrutiny.

Virtual networking emerged as an affordable alternative during the pandemic and has continued to deliver results without the travel and attendance fees. Instead of investing in costly events, Reddit’s marketers are now looking at digital community-building, using social media groups and online networking to connect with audiences.

Conferences aren’t entirely off the table, but they’re becoming an exception rather than the rule, reserved for when there’s a clear, measurable benefit.

4. Less content, more quality: moving beyond filler posts

One of the most popular insights from the Reddit thread was a shift in content strategy. Many marketers admitted they’re scaling back on high-frequency, low-value content, like templated social media posts and repetitive blog updates. Today’s audiences crave authenticity, and they can spot filler content from a mile away.

Instead of flooding channels with content, Reddit marketers are focused on creating fewer, higher-quality posts that actually engage. By reducing the volume and focusing on value, they’re able to foster more meaningful connections with audiences.

For 2025, it’s all about quality over quantity—giving followers something that resonates, not just something to scroll past.

5. Rethinking costly association memberships

In the past, memberships with industry associations or professional groups were common for establishing credibility. But Reddit marketers are now questioning if these memberships are worth the price. Many feel that while these memberships can add prestige, they rarely provide the practical benefits needed to justify their costs.

Instead, marketers are shifting focus to partnerships that offer tangible value, like co-branded content or collaborative events that actively drive engagement or sales.

In a world where customers care more about brand experiences than third-party affiliations, these Reddit marketers are making a practical choice: if it doesn’t deliver measurable ROI, it’s out.

6. Steering away from third-party data: privacy and direct relationships come first

As data privacy regulations tighten, reliance on third-party data is quickly becoming a liability.

Marketers on Reddit shared that it’s becoming harder to access and justify the granular targeting data they once relied on, pushing them to rethink their strategies entirely.

Instead of putting budgets into third-party data, these marketers are doubling down on owned channels like email and SMS (as mentioned earlier). By controlling the data and focusing on direct communication, they’re creating sustainable, privacy-compliant relationships with customers.

These Reddit marketers make it clear: in 2025, brands are prioritizing customer-centric, data-owned strategies that focus on long-term relationships rather than quick targeting wins.

7. Reducing stakeholder involvement: faster decisions, less bureaucracy

An interesting insight from the Reddit community is a desire to cut down on excessive stakeholder involvement.

Many marketers expressed frustration with the delays and diluted strategies that can result from too many voices weighing in. In 2025, there’s a push to empower marketing teams to make decisions with fewer hurdles, streamlining processes and speeding up execution. By limiting input to core contributors, these marketers feel they can produce more cohesive campaigns that reach the market faster and stay on message.

Reducing stakeholder involvement is about staying agile and efficient—focusing on what’s best for the campaign, not on appeasing internal politics.

8. Simplifying automation to bring back a human touch

Automation has long been a staple of efficient marketing, but Reddit marketers are increasingly wary of over-automation. Many shared that complex automated workflows can make customer interactions feel robotic, creating a disconnect between brands and audiences. Customers want to feel valued, not processed.

In response, marketers are simplifying their automations, reintroducing human touchpoints, and prioritizing empathetic interactions.

The feedback from Reddit is clear: automation has its place, but in 2025, it’s about using it thoughtfully to enhance human connection rather than replace it.

9. Physical and local advertising: digital channels simply deliver more precision

While physical and local advertising still has its place, Reddit marketers are scaling back on these traditional channels. Local TV or radio ads are often costly and lack the targeting capabilities that digital offers. For brands watching their budgets, the real-time tracking and precision of digital make it a smarter choice.

Instead, many are focusing on hyperlocal digital ads or local SEO, which can reach specific areas effectively and with greater control.

And then there's my fellow consultant friend Bridget Poetker, who moved away from digital and instead worked with a local newspaper to print a one-pager event ad for her client's first industry event.

Don't forget, there's always a time and place for creativity in local advertising.

Streamlined, impact-driven marketing for 2025

Focusing on owned channels, authentic content, and streamlined processes are my biggest takeaways from Reddit. Marketers are being asked to do more with less, and that means making cuts to anything that doesn’t deliver real, measurable impact. The industry is moving towards a leaner, more intentional approach, prioritizing meaningful connections with customers over broad visibility.