What You Want to Do
You want to post in a specific subreddit, but Reddit keeps removing your posts silently. No message, no explanation. You just don’t have enough karma.
The problem is that most subreddits won’t tell you the exact number. You have to find it yourself. Here’s exactly how.
Before You Start: What You Need
- A Reddit account that is at least a few days old (brand new accounts are often blocked by default)
- Access to the subreddit’s main page and its rules sidebar
- A few minutes to test and observe
Step 1: Check the Subreddit’s Sidebar and Rules Page
Every subreddit has a sidebar with rules. On desktop, it’s on the right. On mobile, tap the “About” tab.
Look for phrases like:
– “Minimum account age: X days”
– “Minimum karma: X”
– “Must have comment karma to post”
– “Accounts with low karma will be filtered”
Sometimes the requirement is listed right there. Often it’s not. If you don’t see it, move to Step 2.
Step 2: Look for Pinned Posts and Automod Messages
Many subreddits pin a post explaining their karma and age requirements. Scroll to the top of the subreddit. If you see a post titled “New users read this” or “Subreddit rules”, click it.
Also, try leaving a comment on any post. If the automoderator replies with “Your comment was removed because your account does not meet our karma threshold”, you now know the exact rule.
Step 3: Try a Test Comment
This is the most practical way. Find a recent post in that subreddit and write a short, helpful comment. Refresh the page after 30 seconds.
- If the comment appears normally, you’re likely above the threshold.
- If it disappears or you see a red “Comment removed” message, you’re below it.
This test works because many subreddits use automod to silently remove posts from low-karma accounts. Your comment history is also a good trust signal. Real, helpful comments are much better than low-effort replies.
Step 4: Use a Tool to Estimate the Threshold
There are third-party tools that scan subreddit settings and public automod rules. They can give you a rough estimate. But they’re not always accurate. Use them as a starting point, not a guarantee.
A more reliable method is to search for “[subreddit name] karma requirement” on Google. Often, other users have posted the exact number.
Step 5: Build Comment Karma Fast (Without Spamming)
Once you know the target, you need to reach it safely. Comment karma is usually more valuable than post karma for this purpose. Here’s how:
- Find large, active subreddits in your niche (like r/AskReddit, r/NoStupidQuestions, or niche-specific ones)
- Sort by “New” and leave the first genuinely helpful comment you can think of
- Answer questions, give advice, or share a real experience
- Avoid copy-paste replies or emoji-only comments
Comment karma builds faster than post karma because it’s easier to get upvotes in active discussion threads. An account with 100 comment karma and a visible history is often trusted more than one with 500 post karma and zero comments.
Common Blockers and How to Fix Them
Blocker: Your account is too new
Even with enough karma, some subreddits require a minimum account age. Wait 3–7 days before trying again.
Blocker: You tried posting and got silently removed
That’s normal. Check the subreddit’s rules again, then build more comment karma in other subreddits. Don’t keep retrying—it flags your account.
Blocker: You have post karma but no comment karma
Many subreddits prioritize comment karma because it shows real participation. Focus on commenting for a few days.
Blocker: You bought an account with fake-looking karma
This is a common mistake. A purchased account should be evaluated by age, comment karma, visible history, and niche fit. If the account has only 1–2 interactions, it will be treated like a brand new account by many subreddits.
Practical Example: Getting into r/smallbusiness from Zero
You want to post in r/smallbusiness. The sidebar doesn’t show a number. You try a test comment—it gets removed.
You search Google and find a Reddit thread where users say the requirement is 50 comment karma and a 7-day-old account.
You go to r/Entrepreneur (a similar niche) and answer three questions over two days. Each answer gets 10–20 upvotes. After two days, you have 55 comment karma. You wait until day 7, try posting again, and it works.
Quick Action Checklist
- [ ] Check the subreddit sidebar and rules page
- [ ] Look for pinned posts about karma requirements
- [ ] Leave one test comment and see if it’s removed
- [ ] Search Google for “[subreddit] karma requirement”
- [ ] Build comment karma in active niche subreddits
- [ ] Wait for account age to meet the threshold
- [ ] Post only when you’re confident you meet both
Practical Takeaway
Stop guessing. Use the test comment method, build comment karma first, and respect account age requirements. Most subreddits don’t need hundreds of karma—they just need proof you’re a real person. A visible comment history and real, helpful interactions are your best tools. If you need a head start with an older account that has real history, you can compare options from Reddit account services that offer accounts with verified comment karma and visible activity.
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: Can I bypass karma requirements by using a new account?
A: Not reliably. Most subreddits filter new accounts by default. You need both karma and account age.
Q: What’s the minimum karma to post on Reddit overall?
A: There’s no universal number. Each subreddit sets its own. Common minimums range from 10 to 100, but some require 500+.
Q: Is post karma or comment karma more important?
A: Comment karma is often more useful because it shows real participation in discussions. Many subreddits check comment karma specifically.
Q: How fast can I get 50 comment karma?
A: In active subreddits like r/AskReddit, you can get 50 comment karma in one day by answering 3–5 popular questions with helpful or funny replies.
Q: What if I buy an account with high karma and it still doesn’t work?
A: The account might lack visible comment history or have fake-looking activity. Check the account’s age, comment history, and niche fit before buying.
