AMA
Also called: ask me anything, IAmA, AUA, ask us anything
Definition
AMA stands for Ask Me Anything: a Reddit post where a person, often an expert, founder or public figure, introduces themselves and answers questions from the community in the comments, usually live for an hour or more.
An AMA ("Ask Me Anything") is a post where someone invites the community to ask them questions and then answers in the comments. Reddit's help center describes the setup: the host shares a bit about themselves, optionally posts a photo to prove it is really them, and prompts everyone to ask them anything. A group version is called an AUA, "ask us anything."
How AMAs work on Reddit
Reddit has a built-in AMA post experience. According to its help page:
- The host, the OP, can schedule an AMA up to 21 days in advance.
- They can add up to five co-hosts, whose answers are highlighted alongside the host's.
- Readers can tap Remind Me to get a notification 24 hours before the start time and another when it begins.
- During a live AMA, readers can filter by Answered (comments with a reply from the host or co-hosts) and Unanswered.
Some communities host many AMAs, such as r/IAmA and r/AskScience, but each community sets its own rules for them.
Reddit's own advice for hosts
Reddit's help page recommends that hosts contact the community's moderators first, set aside at least an hour, and answer a wide range of questions rather than only easy ones.
Why it matters for marketers
A good AMA is one of the few formats where a founder can talk about their company openly without breaking self-promotion norms, because the whole community knows who you are and why you are there. It works best when the host has real expertise the community wants: building a bootstrapped company, a technical specialty, an unusual career path.
It goes badly when it is a product launch dressed up as an AMA. Communities notice when every answer steers back to a signup link.
Example
A founder who spent eight years in payroll compliance asks the mods of a small-business subreddit about hosting an AMA on hiring a first employee. The mods agree and schedule it as an event two weeks out. The founder answers 60 questions over two hours, mentions their product only when someone asks what they work on, and the post stays in the subreddit's top posts for the month.
Common mistakes
- Posting an AMA without asking the mods. Many communities remove unapproved AMAs or require verification.
- Scheduling too little time. Questions keep arriving after the first hour. Unanswered top questions look evasive.
- Dodging hard questions about pricing, data or competitors. They will be the top comments.
- Having coworkers seed friendly questions without saying who they are. That is astroturfing.
Frequently asked questions
What does AMA mean on Reddit?
Ask Me Anything. Reddit also lists variants: AUA (ask us anything) and AMAA (ask me almost anything).
Can anyone do an AMA on Reddit?
Anyone can post one in a community that allows them, but each community has its own rules, and many require mod approval or proof of identity. Reddit recommends contacting the mods first.
How long should an AMA last?
Reddit's help page suggests setting aside at least one hour. Popular AMAs often run longer, and hosts sometimes return later to answer top questions they missed.