Building a Reddit Content Mining Workflow for Video Creators
I watched a Reddit post go from 500 upvotes to 50 million TikTok views in 48 hours.
It was an AITA post about someone refusing to give up their first class seat. Three creators made videos about it. Then ten more. Then a hundred. The creator who found it first? Their video hit 4 million views.
That got me thinking about the technical side of how successful content creators find viral stories systematically. Not just scrolling Reddit - building an actual workflow.
The Discovery Problem
I'll be honest - I wasted my first three months just browsing Reddit's front page. By the time I found a story, there were already 20 videos about it.
The issue is timing. Everyone checks "Hot" posts. By the time something hits the front page, it's been covered. The alpha is in "Rising" and "New" - posts gaining momentum but haven't peaked yet.
Engagement Velocity > Total Votes
A post with 200 upvotes in 1 hour is more promising than a post with 2000 upvotes in 24 hours. You want to track:
- Comment counts growing fast
- Multiple awards being given
- Cross-posts appearing in related subreddits
This signals a post that's about to explode.
The Subreddits That Produce Content
After tracking hundreds of viral Reddit-to-TikTok pipelines:
For drama/stories:
- r/AmITheAsshole - moral debates
- r/relationship_advice - emotional stories
- r/TrueOffMyChest - raw confessions
- r/MaliciousCompliance - revenge stories
For educational:
- r/explainlikeimfive - complex topics simplified
- r/todayilearned - quick facts
- r/LifeProTips - practical advice
Automating the Search
Reddit's native search is honestly terrible. Here's what works better:
Google with site operator:
site:reddit.com "looking for advice" AITA
For more systematic work, I use Wappkit Reddit to batch search across multiple subreddits with filters for engagement levels and timeframes. GummySearch does similar things. Whatever works for your workflow - the point is don't do this manually.
IFTTT automation:
You can set up triggers for new posts matching keywords in specific subreddits. Useful for monitoring niche topics.
Building a Content Database
I keep a simple Notion database:
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Reddit URL | Source link |
| Summary | One sentence description |
| Upvotes when found | Track growth |
| Subreddit | Categorization |
| Story type | drama/funny/educational |
| Hook | One-liner for video intro |
Most stories I save never get made. But having a backlog means I never scramble for content.
Story Selection Criteria
Not every Reddit post works for video. What to look for:
Clear hook - Can you explain the conflict in one sentence? "Wife's sister stole her wedding dress and got married in it first" works. "Complex situation with nuanced dynamics" doesn't.
Emotional stakes - Outrage, shock, satisfaction, or empathy. Neutral stories don't spread.
Discussion potential - Moral dilemmas where reasonable people disagree. Makes viewers want to comment.
Avoid:
- Stories that seem fake (get called out)
- Content too dark for entertainment
- Already viral stories (50th video won't perform)
Video Format Options
Based on what's performing now:
Voice-over commentary - React to the story while footage plays. Don't just read. Comment in real time.
Face-to-camera reactions - More personal, builds audience connection. Harder to edit.
Slideshow + TTS - Lowest effort. Works for getting started.
The Weekly Workflow
Monday-Wednesday: 30 minutes browsing Rising on 5 target subreddits. Save 10-15 potential stories.
Thursday: Review saved stories. Pick 5-7 with strongest hooks.
Friday-Sunday: Script, record, edit, schedule.
That's ~5-6 hours per week of Reddit research for a week's content.
Ethics Considerations
These are real people sharing real experiences.
- Don't use real names even if posted
- Don't track down OPs
- Don't share stories where OP asks for privacy
- Credit the subreddit
- Add your own commentary - don't just copy
Conclusion
Reddit content mining is essentially a discovery and curation problem. The story is raw material. Your perspective is what makes it content.
The creators who succeed long-term develop their own voice instead of just reading posts. Think of Reddit as the research layer, not the finished product.
What tools are you using for content research? Always interested in different approaches.
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