Creating subreddit requirements isn’t about writing a list of “don’ts.” It’s about defining what kind of community you’re building and making those expectations visible. Most new mods either write nothing or copy rules from a big subreddit. Both approaches create problems later.
This guide shows you how to create subreddit requirements from scratch, test them, and adjust them without overcomplicating the process.
What you’re really doing when you create subreddit requirements
You’re setting a filter. Requirements tell people what they need to do before they post or comment. They also give you, the moderator, a clear basis for removing content that doesn’t fit.
Good requirements do three things:
– They protect the community’s focus.
– They reduce spam and low-effort content.
– They make moderation decisions faster and more consistent.
Bad requirements do the opposite. They’re either too vague to enforce or so strict that nobody wants to participate.
What to prepare before you start
Before you write anything, spend 20 minutes on prep. You need:
- A clear idea of the subreddit’s purpose (not “general discussion” — something specific).
- A list of 3-5 example posts you’d be happy to see.
- A list of 3-5 example posts you’d remove immediately.
- Basic access to your subreddit’s Mod Tools (Rules, Removal Reasons, Automod).
If you’re still unsure about your community’s focus, do some subreddit research first. Look at similar communities and note what their requirements look like. Don’t copy them, but notice patterns: what they require, what they ban, and where their rules are vague.
Step 1: Define the community’s purpose in one sentence
This sentence becomes the anchor for everything else. If a requirement doesn’t support this purpose, cut it.
Example:
– “A place for freelance writers to share client communication strategies.”
– “A community for owners of vintage Japanese motorcycles to discuss restoration.”
Write that sentence down. Keep it visible while you work through the next steps.
Step 2: Identify the minimum standards for participation
Minimum standards are the baseline for anyone posting or commenting. These usually fall into categories:
| Category | Example requirement |
|---|---|
| Relevance | “Posts must relate to freelance writing client communication.” |
| Effort | “No one-line posts. Explain your situation or question in at least 2-3 sentences.” |
| Tone | “Be respectful. Disagreement is fine, personal attacks are not.” |
| Format | “Use descriptive titles. No ALL CAPS.” |
| Self-promotion | “No links to your services unless you’re answering a direct request.” |
Start with 4-6 requirements max. Anything more becomes overwhelming and hard to enforce.
Step 3: Write rules that are specific, not vague
Vague rules are unenforceable. Compare:
- Vague: “Be nice.”
-
Specific: “No insults, name-calling, or personal attacks. Criticize ideas, not people.”
-
Vague: “No spam.”
- Specific: “No links to your own content unless a user explicitly asks for recommendations. Repeated self-promotion results in a ban.”
Specific rules make moderation easier because you can point to the exact behavior that violated the requirement. They also help new users understand what’s expected without guessing.
Step 4: Set up removal reasons and automod basics
Requirements only work if you can enforce them efficiently. Two tools handle most of this:
Removal reasons: Pre-written messages that explain why a post was removed. When you remove something, you pick the reason, and the user sees a clear explanation. This reduces “why was my post removed?” messages significantly.
Automod basics: You don’t need complex code. Start with two simple rules:
– Remove posts from accounts younger than X days (start with 3-7 days).
– Remove posts with low comment karma (start with 10-20 comment karma, not post karma).
Why comment karma? Comment karma is often more useful than post karma for credibility and participation because it shows visible interaction inside discussions. A user with 500 post karma but 5 comment karma hasn’t actually participated in conversations. That’s a red flag for spam.
To set this up, go to Mod Tools → Automod, and add a basic rule. You can find starter templates on r/AutoModerator. Start simple.
Step 5: Test your requirements with a soft launch
Don’t announce your requirements as “final.” Run a soft launch for 1-2 weeks:
- Post your rules in a pinned thread.
- Ask for feedback from your early members.
- Track what gets removed and why.
- Adjust wording based on real situations.
During this period, be slightly lenient with content that technically violates a rule but is clearly well-intentioned. You’re testing whether the requirements make sense, not enforcing a legal code.
Common blockers and how to fix them
Blocker 1: You don’t get enough posts to test anything.
Fix: Recruit a few trusted people to post examples. Ask them to deliberately break rules so you can verify automod catches them.
Blocker 2: Your rules are being ignored.
Fix: The requirements are probably too long or too buried. Shorten them. Put the 3 most important rules in the sidebar and the rest in a pinned “Full Rules” post.
Blocker 3: Automod removes legitimate posts.
Fix: Check the account age and karma thresholds. Lower them if needed. Also check your keyword filters — they often catch false positives.
Blocker 4: Users argue about interpretations.
Fix: Add concrete examples to each rule. “No self-promotion” becomes “No self-promotion. Example: posting your YouTube channel link without being asked is self-promotion.”
Practical example: building requirements for a small business subreddit
Let’s say you’re creating r/SmallBizOps, a community for small business owners to discuss operations topics like inventory, hiring, and tools.
Your one-sentence purpose: “A place for small business owners to share practical operations strategies.”
Your minimum standards:
1. Posts must be about operations (not marketing, not sales).
2. No links to your own business or content.
3. Explain your context: business type, size, and the specific problem.
4. Be constructive. “That won’t work” needs a reason.
Your automod rules:
– Remove posts from accounts under 5 days old.
– Remove posts with less than 15 comment karma.
During the first week, you remove a post about “best marketing tools.” It’s a good post, but it’s not about operations. You use the removal reason: “This post is about marketing, not operations. Try r/SmallBusiness or r/Marketing instead.”
That’s how requirements create clarity. The user knows exactly why their post was removed, and they know where to go instead.
Quick checklist for creating subreddit requirements
- [ ] Write a one-sentence purpose for the subreddit.
- [ ] List 3-5 example posts you want to see.
- [ ] List 3-5 example posts you’d remove.
- [ ] Write 4-6 specific rules based on those examples.
- [ ] Set up removal reasons for each rule.
- [ ] Add basic automod rules (account age + comment karma).
- [ ] Soft launch for 1-2 weeks and collect feedback.
- [ ] Adjust wording based on real moderation cases.
Practical takeaway
Creating subreddit requirements is a process, not a one-time task. Start small, enforce consistently, and refine based on what actually happens in your community. The goal isn’t a perfect rulebook — it’s a community where everyone knows what’s expected. That clarity is what makes moderation manageable and participation sustainable.
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FAQ
Q: How many requirements should a new subreddit have?
A: Start with 4-6 rules. More than that overwhelms new users and complicates enforcement. You can add rules later as specific problems emerge.
Q: What’s the difference between subreddit rules and automod settings?
A: Rules are the visible guidelines users read. Automod is the automated enforcement layer that removes content based on criteria like account age, karma, or keywords. Both are part of your subreddit requirements system.
Q: Should I require a minimum karma for posting?
A: A low comment karma threshold (10-20) helps filter spam without blocking genuine new users. Comment karma is often more useful than post karma for credibility because it shows real participation in discussions. Avoid high thresholds that discourage new members.
Q: How do I handle users who argue about rule interpretations?
A: Add concrete examples to each rule. “No self-promotion” with an example of what counts as self-promotion removes most ambiguity. If arguments persist, you can always add a temporary mute while you review.
Q: Can I change requirements after my subreddit grows?
A: Yes, but announce changes clearly and explain why. A pinned post with the old vs. new requirements helps. Keep the core rules stable and only change what’s genuinely broken.
