Creating subreddit requirements isn’t just about copy-pasting rules from a bigger subreddit. If you set them too high, your community stays empty. Set them too low, and you’ll deal with spam, low-effort posts, and arguments.
This guide walks you through the actual decisions you need to make, not just the mechanics of typing rules into a settings page.
What creating subreddit requirements actually means
When you create a subreddit, you define two things:
- Rules — behavioral expectations visible on your sidebar
- Requirements — technical thresholds that gate posting or commenting
Requirements are usually enforced by AutoModerator or Reddit’s built-in settings. They include things like minimum account age, minimum karma, and whether the account has a verified email.
Most beginners conflate the two. Rules say “be civil.” Requirements say “your account must be 7 days old to post.” You need both, but they serve different purposes.
Why requirements matter more than you think
New subreddits get targeted by spam bots within hours of creation. Without basic requirements, your feed fills with crypto scams, OnlyFans spam, and copied content.
But the opposite problem is also real. Many r/entrepreneur and niche subreddits have created subreddit requirements so strict that genuine beginners can’t participate. The community stalls.
Your goal is a middle ground: block obvious spam while keeping the door open for real users.
The 5 core requirements every new subreddit should consider
Not all of these are mandatory. Pick what fits your niche.
| Requirement | Recommended starting value | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Account age | 3–7 days | Blocks throwaway spam accounts |
| Comment karma | 10–50 | Ensures basic participation |
| Post karma | 0–10 | Optional; comment karma is usually more useful |
| Verified email | On | Very cheap spam barrier |
| Subreddit-specific | Your call | e.g., “must include a location” for local subs |
A note on karma: comment karma is often more useful than post karma for credibility because it shows visible interaction inside discussions. If you need one type, prioritize comment karma.
Step-by-step: how to set up your first requirements
Step 1: Start with Reddit’s built-in controls
Go to Mod Tools → Safety → Banned/Filtered/Age. Set:
- Minimum account age: 3 days
- Minimum karma: 10 (combined or comment-specific)
- Verified email: required
This takes 60 seconds and catches most bots.
Step 2: Write 3–5 visible rules first
Don’t create 12 rules on day one. Keep it short:
- Relevant content only
- No spam or self-promotion
- Be civil
- Include context/description in posts where relevant
This gives AutoMod something to reference later.
Step 3: Add AutoMod for automatic removals
AutoMod is a script that can remove posts before anyone sees them. You don’t need to be a programmer.
A simple rule to remove low-karma posts:
type: submission
author:
combined_karma: < 10
action: remove
message: "Your post was removed because your account doesn't meet our minimum karma threshold. Please participate in discussions first."
If you’re researching other communities first, run a subreddit quality check to see what requirements similar subs use. Don’t copy them blindly — but use them as a reference point.
Step 4: Tell users about the requirements
Put your requirements in three places:
- Sidebar
- Welcome message (Mod Tools → Settings)
- Removal message if AutoMod filters them
Nobody reads the sidebar. The removal message is the only place where feedback happens in context.
Step 5: Review and adjust after 2 weeks
Start conservative and loosen up. It’s easier to relax a rule than to tighten one. If you see zero new posts in 14 days, your requirements are too high.
How to write rules that don’t scare people away
The biggest mistake in creating subreddit requirements is writing them like a legal document. Here’s an example:
Bad: “All submissions must adhere to the community ethos and provide substantive value to the discourse. Violations may result in moderation action.”
Good: “Post stuff that fits this sub. If you’re not sure, lurk for a few days first.”
The second version actually changes behavior. The first version makes people feel like they’re being watched.
One more tip: use “minimum comment karma” instead of “minimum post karma” when you’re building a discussion-based community. It forces people to participate in conversations before they post. You also avoid the chicken-and-egg problem where nobody can post because nobody has post karma.
Practical example: building requirements for a niche community
Let’s say you want to start a subreddit for vintage motorcycle restorations.
Your audience: Enthusiasts, many over 40, not all technical.
Your spam concern: Parts sellers, dropshippers, and people promoting YouTube channels.
What you create:
- Account age: 5 days
- Comment karma: 20
- Verified email: on
- Rule: “Photos must include a short description of the bike and what you did”
The karma threshold catches bots because most bots don’t comment meaningfully. The photo description requirement catches low-effort content. The account age rule blocks casual spam.
What you don’t do: require 500 karma, ask for post flairs on day one, or force users to message mods before posting.
Common mistakes when creating subreddit requirements
- Setting requirements before you have traffic. A new sub with 2 members and a 100-karma threshold is a ghost town.
- Using combined karma instead of comment karma. Post karma can be farmed; comment karma reflects real participation.
- Not telling users why their post was removed. A silent removal just confuses people.
- Creating rules you can’t enforce. If you require “high-quality titles” but never remove bad ones, the rule becomes noise.
- Copying requirements from huge subreddits. r/AskReddit can demand certain thresholds because it has massive volume. You can’t.
Quick checklist
Before you launch, confirm you have:
- [ ] Minimum account age (3–7 days)
- [ ] Minimum comment karma (10–50)
- [ ] Verified email required
- [ ] 3–5 visible rules in plain language
- [ ] AutoMod removal message explaining the requirement
- [ ] A plan to review after 14 days
- [ ] A way to handle mod appeals (even if it’s just modmail)
Practical takeaway
Creating subreddit requirements is a balance, not a wall. Start low enough that real users can join, high enough that spam bots bounce off. Write your rules in plain language, set up AutoMod early, and review your thresholds after two weeks of real traffic. The goal isn’t to filter everyone out — it’s to build a community where participation is the price of entry.
For this use case, practical proxy option for Reddit workflows should be compared by pricing, setup difficulty, support quality, refund policy, and whether it fits your workflow.
FAQ
Q: What is the minimum requirement to create a subreddit?
A: Anyone can create a subreddit if their Reddit account is at least 30 days old and has a verified email. There’s no karma minimum to create a subreddit, but you do need karma to post effectively in many other communities.
Q: How much karma should a new subreddit require?
A: Start with 10–50 combined or comment karma. Higher thresholds like 500+ are only practical for large subreddits with heavy spam problems. For a new community, low thresholds keep the door open.
Q: Can I change subreddit requirements after launch?
A: Yes, and you should. Requirements are not permanent. Review them after two weeks of real activity and adjust based on spam volume and user feedback.
Q: Do I need AutoModerator to enforce requirements?
A: Not strictly, but it’s the most practical way. Reddit’s built-in settings handle account age, karma, and verified email. AutoMod gives you more control over content-based requirements and removal messages.
Q: What’s the difference between subreddit rules and requirements?
A: Rules are visible behavioral guidelines (be civil, no spam). Requirements are technical thresholds (minimum karma, account age). Both are needed, but requirements are enforced automatically while rules rely on moderation.
