Audience Quality Variance
A Reddit lead from r/salesforce has different intent than a LinkedIn lead from a generic B2B audience. Channel selection determines not just cost, but customer quality and expansion potential.
Reddit Ads
intent$500$50,000
1500
0100
$0$200,000
Local-First
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Best Performer
Email Marketing
18.6x ROI
Blended ROI
6.8x
Across 6 channels
Blended CAC
$658.85
48 total customers
Intent-Based vs. Interruption Marketing
Intent-Based
Reddit, Google, Content/SEO - reaches users actively searching
7.1x
Average ROI
Interruption
LinkedIn, Meta - interrupts users not actively searching
4.5x
Average ROI
Intent-based channels are outperforming interruption marketing by 56.3%
Channel Performance Ranking
#1
Email Marketing
$1,500.00 spend / 8 customers
18.6x
ROI
#2
Reddit Ads
$3,000.00 spend / 12 customers
13.9x
ROI
#3
Content/SEO
$5,000.00 spend / 10 customers
8.7x
ROI
#4
LinkedIn Ads
$6,000.00 spend / 6 customers
5.2x
ROI
#5
Google Ads
$8,000.00 spend / 8 customers
3.5x
ROI
#6
Meta Ads
$4,000.00 spend / 4 customers
3.5x
ROI
| Channel | CPL | CAC | Conv. Rate | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Email Marketing | $37.50 | $215.63 | 20.0% | 18.6x |
Reddit Ads | $35.29 | $287.50 | 14.1% | 13.9x |
Content/SEO | $83.33 | $575.00 | 16.7% | 8.7x |
LinkedIn Ads | $133.33 | $1,150.00 | 13.3% | 5.2x |
Google Ads | $66.67 | $1,150.00 | 6.7% | 3.5x |
Meta Ads | $20.00 | $1,150.00 | 2.0% | 3.5x |
| Blended Total | $57.50 | $658.85 | 8.7% | 6.8x |
Related Calculators
Calculator Knowledge Base and Scientific Documentation
Quick Reference
Quick Reference
Intent-based marketing channels (Reddit, Google, SEO) outperform interruption channels (LinkedIn, Meta) by 40-60% in B2B ROI. 2026 benchmarks show intent channels averaging 3.8x ROI vs 2.4x for interruption channels. Reddit specifically delivers 4.2x average ROI for B2B SaaS due to high purchase-intent community engagement.
The Scientific Model
The Scientific Model
Channel ROI Comparison Model
Formula
This formula compares true ROI across channels by attributing revenue to each channel and dividing by fully-loaded costs including overhead allocation.
Why this approach: Multi-touch attribution shows that 'last-click' models undervalue awareness channels by 30-50%. Intent-based channels often get credit for conversions that interruption channels initiated.
People Also Ask
People Also Ask
- What marketing channels have the best B2B ROI in 2026?
- Top B2B channels by ROI in 2026: 1) Reddit Ads (4.2x avg), 2) Google Search (3.9x), 3) Content/SEO (3.6x), 4) Email (3.4x), 5) LinkedIn (2.6x), 6) Meta Ads (2.1x). Intent-based channels consistently outperform because they reach users actively seeking solutions.
- What is intent-based marketing vs interruption marketing?
- Intent-based marketing (Google Search, Reddit, SEO) reaches users actively researching solutions. Interruption marketing (social ads, display) reaches users not actively looking. Intent channels have 40-60% higher conversion rates but smaller addressable audiences.
- How do I compare marketing channel performance?
- Compare channels using: 1) Fully-loaded ROI (include all costs), 2) CAC (cost per customer, not just lead), 3) Conversion rate (lead to customer), 4) Time-to-close, 5) Customer quality (LTV of customers from each channel). Don't compare CPL alone - low CPL often means low quality.
- Is Reddit advertising effective for B2B?
- Reddit is highly effective for B2B SaaS targeting technical buyers and professionals. Average B2B Reddit CAC is $280 vs $450 on LinkedIn. Key success factors: target specific subreddits (r/sales, r/marketing, industry subs), use native-feeling creative, and engage authentically in comments.
- What attribution window should I use for B2B channels?
- B2B attribution windows should match sales cycles: 30-day for SMB ($5K ACV), 60-day for mid-market ($25K ACV), 90-day for enterprise ($100K+ ACV). Longer windows capture more awareness touchpoints but risk over-attribution. Most B2B teams use 30-60 day windows.
Contextual ROI: The Intangibles
Contextual ROI: The Intangibles
Channel ROI numbers don't capture the full strategic picture. These factors often determine which channels build long-term competitive advantage:
Brand Building Effect
Interruption channels build awareness even when they don't convert immediately. The CMO who sees your LinkedIn ad today may search for you organically in 6 months.
Channel Defensibility
SEO and content create compounding assets. Paid channels can be copied instantly. A well-ranked blog post delivers leads for years; a paused ad campaign delivers nothing.
Market Intelligence Value
Reddit engagement provides qualitative market insights no other channel offers. The objections and questions in comment threads are invaluable product and messaging research.