You’re staring at the Reddit submission page. Two tabs: “Post” and “Link.” You have a URL you want to share and a few thoughts about it. Which one do you pick? Pick wrong, and your post gets removed, ignored, or flagged as spam. This guide shows you exactly how to reddit link post vs text post so your content stays up and actually gets seen.
What you want to do
You want to share a link or start a discussion on Reddit without having your post removed by mods or caught by the spam filter. You need a clear decision process for every subreddit you post in.
What you need before choosing a post type
– A Reddit account with some comment history (new accounts with 0 karma often get auto-filtered).
– The subreddit’s rules page open in another tab.
– The URL you want to share (if any).
– A clear idea of what value you’re adding: is the link the main thing, or is your commentary the main thing?
Step 1: Check the subreddit’s allowed post types
Every subreddit has rules about what you can post. Some only allow link posts. Some only allow text posts. Some allow both but require link posts to use a specific title format.
Open the subreddit’s sidebar or wiki. Look for “Posting guidelines” or “Allowed submissions.” If you see “No link posts” or “Self-posts only,” you must use a text post. If you see “Link posts only,” you cannot add commentary in the post body—only in the comments.
Step 2: Decide if the value is in the link or your analysis
This is the core decision.
- Use a link post when the URL itself is the content. Example: a news article, a product page, a YouTube video, a screenshot hosted on Imgur. You have nothing to add except maybe a one-line summary in the title. The community should click through and judge the link.
- Use a text post when your commentary, question, or analysis is the content. The URL is supporting material. Example: “I analyzed 100 Reddit posts to find the best posting times. Here’s what I found. Full data spreadsheet linked inside.” The text post body contains your insights; the link is supplementary.
A common mistake: putting a long analysis in a link post. The link post body field doesn’t exist—you can only write a title. If you have a paragraph of context, use a text post.
Step 3: Format the post correctly for the type you choose
– Link post: Paste the URL in the URL field. Write a descriptive, clickable title. Do not try to trick the system by putting a URL in the title—it won’t become clickable.
– Text post: Write your content in the body field. If you include a URL, place it inside the text body. Many subreddits require you to use a text post if you are promoting your own content, even if the link is the main value. Check the self-promotion rules before posting.
Step 4: Write a title that works for both humans and filters
Reddit’s spam filter looks at titles for trigger words. Avoid “check this out,” “amazing,” “you won’t believe,” and all-caps. Use a neutral, descriptive title.
For a link post: “How to Reddit Link Post vs Text Post: A Comparison of Approval Rates” (not “INCREDIBLE TRICK TO GET MORE UPVOTES!!!”).
For a text post: “I Tested Both Post Types for 30 Days – Here’s What Happened” (not “Please read my article about posting on Reddit”).
Step 5: Submit, then verify the post is visible
After you hit Post, immediately check if the post appears in the subreddit’s “New” feed. If it doesn’t, switch to an incognito window or log out and view the subreddit. If you can’t see your post, it was removed by the spam filter or a mod. Do not repost immediately. Wait, read the removal reason if provided, and adjust.
Common blockers and how to fix them
– Post removed instantly: Your account may not meet the subreddit’s karma or age threshold. Build comment karma first by leaving helpful comments in the same subreddit.
– Link post not allowed: Use a text post and paste the URL inside the body. Some subreddits require this for all external links.
– Text post gets ignored: Your title was too vague. Rewrite it to promise a specific takeaway. “How I got 500 upvotes with a text post” works better than “Question about posts.”
– Link flagged as spam: You posted a link to your own site without participating in the subreddit first. Reddit’s spam filter is aggressive about new domains. Warm up the account by commenting and posting non-promotional content first.
Practical example
You have a blog post titled “10 Common Reddit Posting Mistakes.” You want to share it in r/marketing.
Wrong choice: Make a link post with the title “Check out my post about Reddit mistakes.” The post gets removed because r/marketing requires text posts for self-promotion.
Right choice: Make a text post. Title: “I’ve made every Reddit posting mistake – here are 10 lessons for marketers.” Body: Summarize your three biggest mistakes in a few paragraphs. At the bottom, add: “I wrote a longer version with all 10 mistakes here: [your URL].” This gives value upfront, follows the rules, and passes the spam filter.
Checklist before you post
– [ ] I read the subreddit rules about allowed post types.
– [ ] I checked if my account meets the karma/age requirement.
– [ ] I decided: is the link the main content or is my commentary?
– [ ] If link post: URL is correct, title is descriptive, no body text.
– [ ] If text post: body contains real value, URL is supplementary.
– [ ] I commented in this subreddit at least a few times before posting.
– [ ] I verified the post appears in “New” after submission.
Practical takeaway
The difference between a Reddit link post vs text post is not just technical—it’s strategic. Link posts work when the link is the destination. Text posts work when your analysis is the destination. Read the subreddit rules first, match your post type to the community’s expectation, and always add value before the URL. That’s how your post stays up.
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FAQ
Q: Can I include a link in a text post?
A: Yes. Paste the URL directly into the body text. It will become clickable. Many subreddits require this for self-promotion or external links.
Q: What happens if I use a link post in a subreddit that only allows text posts?
A: The post will be removed automatically or by a moderator. Always check the subreddit rules before posting.
Q: Does post type affect visibility in Reddit search or feeds?
A: No. Reddit treats both post types equally in feeds and search. Visibility depends on subreddit rules, your title, engagement, and the spam filter.
Q: Can I change a link post to a text post after publishing?
A: No. Post type cannot be changed after submission. You must delete the post and create a new one.
Q: Why does my link post get flagged as spam even though the subreddit allows links?
A: Common reasons: new account, low karma, posting the same domain repeatedly, or your account has no history in that subreddit. Build comment karma and engage before posting links.
