How to Write Reddit Posts That Don't Get Deleted (2026 Guide)
Learn why Reddit posts get removed and how to avoid deletion. Complete guide to subreddit rules, etiquette, and writing posts that survive moderation.
How to Write Reddit Posts That Don't Get Deleted
If you have ever spent 30 minutes crafting the perfect Reddit post only to see it vanish into the void, you are not alone. Reddit post removal is one of the most frustrating experiences for newcomers and founders trying to engage with communities. The platform removes millions of posts daily, and understanding why can mean the difference between building a loyal following and wasting your time.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about writing Reddit posts that don't get deleted. Whether you are a Reddit beginner learning the ropes or a founder looking to market your product authentically, you will learn the exact rules, etiquette, and strategies that keep your content visible.
"It is perfectly fine to be a Redditor with a website. It is not okay to be a website with a Reddit account." - Reddit's official self-promotion policy
Why Reddit Posts Get Deleted: The Complete Breakdown
Understanding why posts get removed is the first step to preventing it. Reddit has multiple layers of moderation, and your post can be caught by any of them.
The Two Layers of Reddit Moderation
| Layer | Who Controls It | What They Check | Response Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reddit's Automated Filters | Reddit (site-wide) | Spam patterns, banned content, suspicious activity | Instant |
| Subreddit Moderators | Community volunteers | Subreddit-specific rules, relevance, quality | Minutes to hours |
Your post must pass through both layers to remain visible. Even if Reddit's automated system approves your content, a subreddit moderator can still remove it for violating community rules.
Top 10 Reasons Reddit Posts Get Removed
Based on our research across multiple sources, here are the most common reasons posts get deleted:
| Rank | Reason | How Common | Fixable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Violating subreddit-specific rules | Very Common | Yes |
| 2 | Account too new or low karma | Very Common | Yes (with time) |
| 3 | Self-promotion without community participation | Very Common | Yes |
| 4 | Missing or incorrect post flair | Common | Yes |
| 5 | Wrong post format (title, text, link) | Common | Yes |
| 6 | Off-topic content | Common | Yes |
| 7 | Duplicate content or repost | Moderate | Yes |
| 8 | Spam filter triggered by links | Moderate | Yes |
| 9 | Vote manipulation or brigading | Rare | No |
| 10 | Site-wide rule violations | Rare | Sometimes |
"Reddit does not always notify you when your post is removed. To check if a post was deleted or filtered, view it while logged out or use third-party tools like Reveddit."
Understanding Subreddit Rules: Your First Line of Defense
Every subreddit is a unique community with its own rules. What works in r/entrepreneur might get you banned from r/startups. Learning to read and follow these rules is essential.
Where to Find Subreddit Rules
Rules are typically found in three places:
- Sidebar (desktop) - Look on the right side of the subreddit page
- About tab (mobile) - Tap "See more" then navigate to "About"
- Wiki - Some subreddits have detailed wiki pages with expanded guidelines
Common Subreddit Rule Categories
| Rule Category | What It Covers | Example Violation |
|---|---|---|
| Content restrictions | What topics are allowed | Posting a meme in a serious discussion subreddit |
| Format requirements | How posts must be structured | Missing required flair or wrong title format |
| Self-promotion limits | How often you can mention your own work | Posting only links to your blog |
| Karma/age requirements | Minimum account age or karma to post | Posting with a 2-day-old account |
| Link restrictions | Rules about external links | Posting affiliate links without disclosure |
| Frequency limits | How often you can post | Posting three times in one day |
Real Example: r/Entrepreneur Rules
Let us look at a real subreddit that founders often target. r/Entrepreneur has strict rules including:
- No pure self-promotion posts
- Links must add value beyond promoting your business
- Account must have history of non-promotional participation
- No "upvote my post" requests
What works: Sharing a detailed breakdown of how you solved a specific problem, with your product mentioned as context (not the focus).
What gets deleted: "Check out my new SaaS tool for entrepreneurs!"
Account Requirements: Why New Accounts Struggle
If you just created your Reddit account and cannot figure out why all your posts disappear, account restrictions are likely the culprit.
Understanding Karma and Account Age Requirements
| Requirement Type | Typical Threshold | Why It Exists |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum account age | 3-30 days | Prevents spam account floods |
| Minimum post karma | 10-100 points | Ensures community participation |
| Minimum comment karma | 10-500 points | Verifies authentic engagement |
| Combined karma | 50-1,000 points | Overall activity check |
"To prevent spammers, there is a limit to how often Redditors can post and comment in a community. If you are brand new to Reddit and do not have a lot of karma yet, you may be hitting this spam filter."
How to Build Karma the Right Way
Here is a step-by-step approach to building karma without gaming the system:
- Start with comments - Find posts where you have genuine expertise and add value
- Focus on smaller subreddits - Less competition means more visibility
- Share your experiences - Personal stories tend to get upvoted
- Avoid controversial topics initially - Build karma in supportive communities
- Be patient - Quality participation over time is better than quantity
Karma-building subreddits for founders:
- r/smallbusiness (supportive community)
- r/startups (value technical insights)
- r/SideProject (welcomes indie makers)
- r/indiehackers (building-in-public friendly)
The Self-Promotion Trap: How Founders Get Banned
This section is especially important for founders and marketers. Self-promotion is the number one reason business owners get banned from Reddit.
Reddit's 10% Rule
Reddit's unofficial guideline suggests keeping self-promotional content under 10% of your total activity. But savvy Redditors recommend being even more conservative.
| Activity Type | Target Percentage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Helpful comments (no self-promotion) | 70-80% | Answering questions in your niche (learn how to write comments that convert) |
| Posts adding value (no self-promotion) | 10-20% | Sharing industry insights or experiences |
| Self-promotional content | Under 10% | Mentioning your product when genuinely relevant |
What Counts as Self-Promotion?
| Content Type | Self-Promotional? | How to Handle |
|---|---|---|
| Link to your blog post | Yes | Only share if genuinely helpful and relevant |
| Mentioning your product in a comment | Yes | Disclose affiliation, focus on helping |
| Answering with your product as solution | Maybe | Only if directly relevant to the question |
| Sharing your founder journey | No | Generally welcomed in appropriate subreddits |
| Building in public updates | No | Share in r/SideProject or r/indiehackers |
The Right Way to Disclose Your Affiliation
Transparency is everything on Reddit. Here are effective disclosure formats:
"Full disclosure: I am the founder of [Product]."
"Disclaimer: This is my tool, so take my opinion with appropriate skepticism."
"Transparency: I work for [Company], but I genuinely think this helps."
Never bury your disclosure at the end of a long comment. Put it in the first 1-2 sentences.
Real Examples: What Works vs What Gets Deleted
Gets Deleted: "Hey everyone! I built an amazing tool that solves X problem. Check it out at [link]!"
Works: "I have been struggling with X problem for years. After trying [competitor 1], [competitor 2], and building my own solution, here is what I learned... [detailed breakdown]. Full disclosure: I ended up building [product] to solve this, but the approach works regardless of what tool you use."
Gets Deleted: Posting the same promotional message across 10 subreddits.
Works: Writing a unique, valuable post tailored to each community with genuine insights.
Avoiding Shadowbans: The Silent Killer
A shadowban is Reddit's most insidious punishment. Your posts and comments become invisible to everyone except you. You can still use the site normally, completely unaware that nobody can see your content.
Common Causes of Shadowbans
| Behavior | Risk Level | Why It Triggers Bans |
|---|---|---|
| Posting the same link across many subreddits | Very High | Appears automated/spammy |
| Rapid posting in short time periods | High | Suggests bot behavior |
| Multiple accounts from same IP | High | Vote manipulation suspicion |
| Excessive link posting vs text | High | Spam signal |
| New account with heavy promotional activity | High | Obvious spam pattern |
| Vote manipulation | Critical | Violates core Reddit principles |
How to Check If You Are Shadowbanned
- Use r/ShadowBan - Post "Am I shadowbanned?" and a bot will respond
- Log out and view your profile - If your profile shows an error, you may be banned
- Open your posts in incognito mode - If they don't appear, they might be hidden
How to Avoid Shadowbans
"Build karma organically by contributing valuable posts and comments. Start small, engage with comments before posting, and diversify your content."
Follow these principles:
- Pace your posting - Never post the same content to multiple subreddits on the same day
- Mix content types - Balance links with text posts and comments
- Build relationships - Focus on 3-5 key subreddits where you actively participate
- Engage authentically - Reply to comments on your posts, thank people for feedback
- Avoid heated arguments - Reddit tracks negative interactions
Reddit's 2025-2026 Posting Features
Reddit has introduced several features that can help prevent post removal:
Pre-Submission Warnings
Reddit's apps now flag potential issues before you post:
- Account too new for the subreddit
- Insufficient karma
- Post format that may violate rules
Post Recovery Feature
If your post is removed from a subreddit for rule violations, Reddit now offers to suggest alternative communities where your content might fit.
Suggested Subreddits
Based on your post title, Reddit suggests relevant communities, reducing the chance of posting in the wrong place.
Practical Checklist: Before You Hit Post
Use this checklist every time you create a Reddit post:
Pre-Writing:
- Read the subreddit rules completely
- Check minimum karma/account age requirements
- Verify your post topic fits the community
- Look at recent top posts to understand what works
Writing:
- Create a clear, accurate title (no clickbait)
- Proofread for grammar and spelling
- Add value first, self-promotion last (if at all)
- Disclose any affiliations upfront
Before Posting:
- Select the correct post flair
- Verify link formatting works
- Check if similar content was recently posted
- Consider the best time to post (check subreddit activity patterns)
After Posting:
- Monitor comments and respond thoughtfully
- Check in incognito if post is visible
- Thank people who engage positively
Finding the Right Conversations: Where Your Posts Survive
Not all subreddits are created equal for founders. Some communities welcome self-promotion in designated spaces; others ban it entirely.
Best Subreddits for Founders (With Promotion-Friendly Policies)
| Subreddit | Size | Self-Promotion Policy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/SideProject | Medium | Allowed for project updates | Indie hackers sharing progress |
| r/indiehackers | Medium | Allowed with value-add | Building in public |
| r/startups | Large | Allowed in weekly threads | Startup advice and feedback |
| r/RoastMyStartup | Small | Encouraged | Getting honest feedback |
| r/IMadeThis | Small | Encouraged | Showcasing completed projects |
| r/AlphaAndBetaUsers | Small | Encouraged | Finding beta testers |
Subreddits Where Promotion Gets You Banned
| Subreddit | Why Promotion Fails |
|---|---|
| r/Entrepreneur | Strictly moderated, self-promotion banned |
| r/marketing | Too many spammers, aggressive filtering |
| r/smallbusiness | Prefers discussion over promotion |
| r/technology | News-focused, not promotional |
The Smart Approach: Monitoring for Opportunities
Instead of promoting directly, the most successful founders monitor Reddit for conversations where their expertise is relevant. When someone asks a question you can genuinely answer, that's your opportunity to add value and naturally mention your experience or product.
This approach requires monitoring dozens of subreddits for relevant conversations, which can take hours daily. Tools like Exsposer use AI-powered semantic analysis to automatically find conversations where your product solves real problems being discussed. Rather than keyword matching (which misses context), Exsposer understands intent and pain points, helping you discover opportunities competitors miss while generating authentic reply suggestions that follow Reddit etiquette.
FAQ: Common Questions About Reddit Post Removal
Why was my post removed with no notification?
Reddit's automated spam filters often remove posts silently. Moderators may also remove content without sending a notification. Always check your post visibility by viewing it logged out or in incognito mode.
Can I appeal a post removal?
For subreddit-level removals, message the moderators politely asking what rule was violated and if the post can be restored. For site-wide removals, visit reddit.com/appeal. Be honest and respectful in your appeal.
How long should I wait before posting again after removal?
If your post was removed for a rule violation, wait at least 24 hours before posting again to the same subreddit. Use that time to read the rules more carefully and ensure your next post complies.
Do deleted posts affect my karma?
Removed posts do not lose karma you already earned from upvotes. However, repeatedly having posts removed can affect your account's spam score, making future posts more likely to be filtered.
How do I know if a subreddit has karma requirements?
Check the subreddit rules and wiki. Many subreddits list their requirements, but some keep them hidden to prevent spammers from gaming the system. If your posts keep disappearing, try building more karma first.
Is using automation against Reddit rules?
Using bots to post or comment is against Reddit's terms of service and will result in bans. However, using tools to discover relevant conversations and then manually engaging is acceptable. Automate discovery, never automate engagement.
What is a CQS score and why does it matter?
CQS (Content Quality Score) is Reddit's internal scoring system that affects how your posts are filtered. You can check your approximate score at r/WhatIsMyCQS. Lower scores mean more aggressive filtering.
Start Finding the Right Conversations Today
Writing Reddit posts that survive moderation comes down to three principles: know the rules, add genuine value, and be transparent. The founders who succeed on Reddit are not the ones with the cleverest marketing tactics. They are the ones who genuinely help others while building relationships in communities they care about.
If you are spending hours manually searching Reddit for conversations where you can add value, there is a better way. Exsposer uses AI to find conversations where your product solves real problems being discussed, automatically classifying opportunities and generating authentic replies that follow Reddit best practices.
Get 20 free opportunities with your free daily digest and discover conversations where you can add genuine value without getting deleted.