The full assessment
We scored Upgrow on nine dimensions using only public information, from the agency's own website and case studies to independent coverage of its work. Claims we could confirm score highest. Claims we couldn't confirm score lower, and anything we couldn't find scores nothing.
Methodology and process transparency
9.0 / 15Upgrow describes its Reddit Ads process clearly, from research and community targeting to creative, bidding and reporting, and explains why native creative works. The agency doesn't describe a client approval step, and its community participation service doesn't say whose accounts take part.
How we judge this
We look at how clearly an agency explains what it does, why it works, and how it handles accounts, moderators and approvals. On Reddit, a vague process is a risk in itself, so a lack of transparency here leads to a lower score.
What we checked| Question | What we found | Result | Evidence | Source |
|---|
| Is the process explained step by step? | Yes. Research and strategy, subreddit targeting, ad creative, bid management and reporting. | Meets | Verified | Reddit Ads page |
| Does it say which accounts post? | Partly. Upgrow runs the client's ads, but its community participation service doesn't say whose accounts take part. | Partly | Not confirmed | Reddit Ads page |
| Does it explain how it works with moderators? | Partly. Upgrow judges each community's openness to marketing and matches ad tone to it, without a moderator process. | Partly | Not confirmed | Reddit Ads page |
| Does it explain why the approach works? | Yes. Upgrow explains why native, community-specific creative works where corporate ads fail. | Meets | Verified | Reddit Ads page |
| Does the client approve content first? | No. We didn't find an approval step for ads or community posts. | Doesn’t meet | Not found | None found |
Verifiable work
0.0 / 15We didn't find a Reddit case study on Upgrow's site. The case studies on its Reddit page cover Google and paid search work.
How we judge this
We read up to three recent Reddit case studies and look for a clear method, a timeline, real results, proof you can check, and results that came from Reddit rather than other channels. Agencies that publish more case studies score higher.
Doesn’t meetWe didn't find a published Reddit case study.
Approach durability
11.3 / 15Paid placements don't depend on any subreddit's moderators. Upgrow sets up tracking and runs ads but doesn't state that the ad account belongs to the client.
How we judge this
We look at how much risk the agency’s approach puts on your results. That means whether the work builds lasting assets, such as an owned subreddit, brand accounts with real history or a well-tested ad account, how much it depends on moderators and rules you don’t control, and whether the value lasts after the work stops.
What we checked| Question | What we found | Result | Evidence | Source |
|---|
| Does the work build lasting assets? | Partly. Upgrow sets up tracking and runs ads, but doesn't state that the ad account belongs to the client. | Partly | Not confirmed | Reddit Ads page |
| Is it protected from other communities' moderators? | Yes. A paid program doesn't depend on any subreddit's moderators. | Meets | Verified | Reddit Ads page |
Trust and account practices
10.0 / 20Upgrow's ads carry Reddit's promoted label. The agency's Reddit page also lists upvote optimization tactics and community participation without explaining either or naming the accounts involved, and we didn't find a policy against vote manipulation. Under our rubric, unexplained upvote work is a risk to the buyer, and the score reflects that.
How we judge this
Half of this score is what the agency publicly commits to about what it posts and how it handles accounts. The other half is which accounts it actually uses. Posting only from the brand’s own accounts scores highest. Using outside accounts scores lower, even when they disclose who they work with. Agencies that buy or sell votes or accounts are not ranked.
What we checked| Question | What we found | Result | Evidence | Source |
|---|
| Does it post only from the brand's own accounts? | Partly. The client's own promoted ads, plus community participation from accounts it doesn't name. | Partly | Not confirmed | Reddit Ads page |
| Does it say who posts? | Partly. Ads run for the client, but whose accounts handle community participation isn't stated. | Partly | Not confirmed | Reddit Ads page |
| Do its accounts say who they work for? | Yes. Reddit labels every ad as promoted. | Meets | Verified | Reddit Ads page |
| Is there a written policy against buying votes? | No. Upgrow lists upvote optimization tactics as a service, with no policy against vote manipulation. | Doesn’t meet | Verified | Reddit Ads page |
Operator expertise
5.0 / 10Upgrow's co-founders, Danny Ng and Ryder Meehan, are named. The agency dates to 2017 and its Reddit Ads page to 2025. We didn't find named Reddit clients, results, or the team's own Reddit accounts.
How we judge this
We look at the founders’ Reddit track record, based on their published work, their client history and how long they’ve focused on Reddit.
What we checked| Question | What we found | Result | Evidence | Source |
|---|
| Is the founder named? | Yes. Co-founders Danny Ng and Ryder Meehan, named on the about page. | Meets | Verified | About page |
| Is there a client track record? | Partly. Upgrow describes years of Reddit campaign work and shows client logos, but names no Reddit clients or results. | Partly | Not confirmed | Reddit Ads page |
| Can you see the team's own Reddit accounts? | No. We didn't find Reddit accounts named for the founders or the team. | Doesn’t meet | Not found | None found |
| How long has it focused on Reddit? | Partly. The Reddit Ads page dates from 2025. The agency itself dates to 2017. | Partly | Not confirmed | Reddit Ads page |
Third-party validation
0.0 / 10Upgrow's named testimonials are about Google and LinkedIn work, and we didn't find independent coverage of its Reddit work.
How we judge this
We look at what others say about the agency, through independent coverage and client testimonials.
What we checked| Question | What we found | Result | Evidence | Source |
|---|
| Can you see who gave the testimonials? | No. The named testimonials are about Google and LinkedIn work, not Reddit. | Doesn’t meet | Not found | None found |
| Has independent media covered it? | No. We didn't find independent coverage of its Reddit work. | Doesn’t meet | Not found | None found |
Client protection
2.5 / 5Upgrow publishes its pricing and lets clients cancel in the first 90 days without notice or fees. Clients work with a Reddit Ads strategist who isn't named. Ownership of ad accounts and creative isn't stated, and no handoff is described.
How we judge this
We look at what the contract protects. That covers who owns the accounts and content, who does the work, and how easy it is to leave. Approach durability asks whether the work creates lasting value. This section asks whether you get to keep it.
What we checked| Question | What we found | Result | Evidence | Source |
|---|
| Who owns the accounts and content? | Partly. Ads run for the client, but ownership of the ad account and creative isn't stated. | Partly | Not confirmed | None found |
| Is the team doing the work named? | Partly. Clients work directly with a Reddit Ads strategist, who isn't named. | Partly | Not confirmed | Reddit Ads page |
| How easy is it to leave? | Easy. Published pricing, and clients can cancel in the first 90 days without notice or fees. | Meets | Verified | Reddit Ads page |
| Is there a handoff plan? | No. We didn't find a handoff process. | Doesn’t meet | Not found | None found |
Thought leadership and measurement
5.0 / 10We didn't find Reddit guidance or research from Upgrow. Upgrow's reporting is thorough, with qualified leads, conversions and revenue on a live dashboard, weekly reviews, meetings every two weeks and monthly reports that start from an account audit.
How we judge this
We look at the agency’s own Reddit content, giving more credit to original data or research than to general guidance. We look at what the agency reports to clients and whether it measures from a starting baseline on a regular schedule.
What we checked| Question | What we found | Result | Evidence | Source |
|---|
| Does it publish Reddit guidance? | No. We didn't find Reddit guidance. | Doesn’t meet | Not found | None found |
| Does it publish original research? | No. We didn't find original Reddit data or research. | Doesn’t meet | Not found | None found |
| What does it report? | Clear. Qualified leads, conversions and revenue on a live dashboard. | Meets | Verified | Reddit Ads page |
| Does it measure from a baseline? | Yes. An opening account audit, weekly reviews, meetings every two weeks and monthly reports. | Meets | Verified | Reddit Ads page |
Bottom line
Upgrow suits B2B teams that want Reddit Ads run inside a wider paid program on flexible terms. Before signing, ask what its upvote optimization tactics involve, and leave them out of your contract if the answer isn't clear.
