WordPress.org reviews show product import errors within weeks of the November 2025 launch—”Description is invalid” blocking ALL products for multiple users. The official Reddit for WooCommerce plugin promises one-click CAPI and catalog sync, but the reality involves Jetpack dependencies, HTML validation failures, and configuration steps the documentation glosses over. Here’s what the plugin actually does, what breaks, and how to get Reddit tracking working anyway.

What Reddit for WooCommerce Actually Configures#

The plugin handles three main functions: Reddit Pixel installation, Conversions API (CAPI) setup, and product catalog synchronization. Understanding what each component actually does—versus what marketing materials claim—helps diagnose where things fail.

Reddit Pixel Installation

The plugin adds Reddit’s tracking pixel to your WooCommerce site. This handles client-side event tracking: page views, add to cart, initiate checkout, and purchase events. Standard pixel implementation, similar to Facebook Pixel or Google Ads tags. This part generally works as expected.

Conversions API (CAPI) Setup

CAPI sends conversion events server-to-server, bypassing browser limitations. Reddit reports CAPI implementation reduces CPA by 25% and increases unique converters by 35% versus pixel-only tracking (Reddit, 2025). The one-click setup creates the server-side connection—but doesn’t guarantee events are flowing. You must verify in Reddit Event Manager.

Product Catalog Sync

This is where most problems occur. Catalog sync exports your WooCommerce products to Reddit Ads Manager for Dynamic Product Ad campaigns. Every product field gets validated against Reddit’s requirements. And Reddit is strict about product descriptions.

You may be interested in: Reddit Ads Conversion Tracking for WooCommerce

The HTML Validation Error Blocking Everyone#

WordPress.org reviews reveal the most common failure: “Reddit claims IMPORT ERRORS for ALL products – Description is invalid. The Description seems to have some HTML code in it. Please remove any code or script from the Description to resolve the issue” (RummageRunner, November 2025).

Reddit’s product catalog requires plain text descriptions. Any HTML—bold tags, italic formatting, paragraph breaks, even basic links—triggers the validation error. And it’s not per-product. One product with HTML in its description causes ALL products to fail import.

WooCommerce product descriptions commonly contain HTML. That’s how WordPress works. The rich text editor outputs formatted HTML by default. Unless you’ve specifically configured plain text descriptions, your catalog sync will fail.

How to Fix HTML Validation Errors

Option 1: Manually edit each product description to remove HTML. Time-consuming but thorough. Switch to the Text editor in WordPress, strip all tags, save.

Option 2: Use a plugin that strips HTML before sync. Some catalog feed plugins offer plain text output options. Check if your existing feed management tools support Reddit’s requirements.

Option 3: Create a custom function to output sanitized descriptions for the Reddit feed. If you have developer resources, this scales better than manual editing.

The plugin doesn’t warn you about this requirement during setup. You discover it when catalog sync fails.

The Jetpack Dependency Nobody Mentions#

Reddit for WooCommerce requires a Jetpack account. The plugin description states it needs Jetpack “to connect and communicate with Reddit API” (WordPress.org, 2025). This isn’t optional.

Many WooCommerce stores avoid Jetpack—it’s heavy, adds features most stores don’t need, and introduces another dependency. If Jetpack conflicts with your existing setup, you’re stuck.

The plugin won’t work without Jetpack connected. If you’re hitting authentication errors or connection failures, verify Jetpack is properly configured first.

You may be interested in: Snapchat Conversions API for WooCommerce: What One-Click Actually Sets Up

Verifying CAPI Is Actually Working#

One-click CAPI setup sounds simple. It creates the server-side connection. But “connection created” doesn’t mean “events flowing correctly.” You need to verify in Reddit Event Manager.

Step 1: Wait 24-48 Hours

Reddit Event Manager doesn’t show real-time data. After enabling CAPI, wait at least 24 hours before checking for events.

Step 2: Check Event Manager

In Reddit Ads Manager, navigate to Events Manager. Look for your pixel and verify CAPI events are being received alongside pixel events. You should see events marked as “server” or “CAPI” versus “browser” or “pixel.”

Step 3: Verify Event Match Quality

Reddit matches CAPI events to pixel events using shared identifiers. Check your Event Match Quality score—low scores mean deduplication isn’t working properly, potentially double-counting conversions.

If you don’t see CAPI events after 48 hours, the one-click setup may have failed silently. The plugin doesn’t always surface error messages clearly.

What to Do When the Official Plugin Fails#

Reddit’s 433M+ weekly active users represent a real advertising opportunity. The tracking integration is worth pursuing even if the official plugin has issues. Here are alternatives.

Option 1: Wait for Plugin Updates

The plugin launched November 2025. Active development means bug fixes should arrive. Check WordPress.org reviews periodically for reports of resolved issues. This is the simplest path if you’re not under time pressure.

Option 2: SweetCode Pixel Manager

SweetCode added Reddit CAPI support in their December 2025 update. It’s a Pro feature, but offers an alternative to the official plugin. Different codebase, different implementation—may avoid the bugs affecting the official integration.

Option 3: Server-Side Tracking

Transmute Engine™ routes events to Reddit CAPI alongside GA4, Facebook, Google Ads, and other platforms—without plugin dependencies. The connection happens at your first-party server, not through WordPress plugins that may conflict or fail.

When the official integration breaks, server-side tracking continues working because it doesn’t depend on the plugin.

Is Reddit Tracking Worth the Effort?#

Reddit’s audience skews engaged and niche-specific. For products that align with Reddit communities, the platform delivers highly targeted reach. CAPI implementation reducing CPA by 25% suggests real attribution value once tracking works correctly.

The current plugin state requires patience and workarounds. But the underlying tracking capability—both pixel and CAPI—functions once you clear the configuration hurdles. This is a November 2025 integration working through early bugs, not a fundamentally broken system.

Reddit tracking is valuable. The official plugin needs time to mature. Your choice: wait for fixes, use alternatives, or implement server-side tracking that doesn’t depend on any single plugin.

Key Takeaways#

• HTML in descriptions blocks ALL products: Reddit catalog sync requires plain text descriptions—any HTML causes validation errors that prevent the entire catalog from importing.
• Jetpack is required: The plugin needs a Jetpack account to communicate with Reddit’s API. No Jetpack, no connection.
• One-click CAPI needs verification: Setup creates the connection but doesn’t guarantee events flow. Check Reddit Event Manager after 48 hours.
• Alternatives exist: SweetCode Pixel Manager (Pro) and server-side tracking via Transmute Engine both offer Reddit CAPI without official plugin dependencies.
• Give it time: November 2025 launch means active development. Plugin updates should address reported issues—monitor WordPress.org reviews for fix confirmations.

Want Reddit CAPI that works regardless of plugin status? Transmute Engine routes events server-side to all your platforms—Reddit included—from your own first-party domain.