New to Reddit and wondering why your post about your own blog post got removed within seconds? You probably ran into Reddit’s self-promotion rules .
Here is what you need to know, without the jargon.
What are Reddit self-promotion rules?
In simple terms: Reddit does not want you to use the platform just to drive traffic to your own website, YouTube channel, product, or service. The rules exist to keep Reddit a community-driven space, not a billboard.
If most of your Reddit activity is posting your own links and rarely anything else, you are violating the policy. The rule applies to your entire account history, not just one post.
The 90/10 rule explained in plain English
Reddit’s official guideline is often called the 90/10 rule:
- At least 90% of your contributions should be genuine, non-promotional participation.
- At most 10% of your posts or comments can link to your own stuff.
But here is the catch: moderators do not count percentages. They look at behavior. If your last 20 posts are all links to your site, you will get flagged regardless of the math.
The real rule is simple: be a community member first, a promoter second.
Why Reddit hates direct self-promotion
Reddit is built on user trust. When you post a link to your own site without context, you are asking people to leave Reddit. That works against the platform’s goal of keeping discussions here.
The spam filter also learns from your account history. If most of your Reddit posts are self-promotional links, the algorithm will start hiding everything you submit. Even good comments can get caught in the filter.
Practical steps: How to share your content the right way
You can still share your content. You just need to do it the Reddit way.
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Participate before you promote. Spend time in the subreddit you want to post to. Leave helpful Reddit comments on other people’s posts. Build a visible history of genuine interaction.
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Use text posts, not direct links. Instead of posting a direct link to your article, write a text post that summarizes the key points. Add the link at the bottom. This gives value to the community first.
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Be transparent. If you are sharing your own work, say so. “I wrote this guide, hope it helps someone” is fine. Pretending the content is not yours is worse.
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Follow each subreddit’s rules. Many subreddits have their own self-promotion rules that are stricter than Reddit’s global policy. Always read the sidebar before posting.
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Engage after you post. If someone comments on your post, reply. Do not just drop a link and disappear.
Common mistakes that get you flagged
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Posting your link in multiple subreddits at the same time. This looks like spam to both moderators and the spam filter. Space out your posts over days or weeks.
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Only commenting with links to your own content. If every comment you write includes your site URL, you are self-promoting.
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Using multiple accounts to upvote your own posts. Reddit detects this and bans all related accounts.
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Ignoring subreddit-specific self-promotion rules. Some subreddits require you to have a certain amount of comment karma before you can post any links at all. Check before hitting submit.
Small checklist before you post
- [ ] Have I participated in this subreddit before today?
- [ ] Is at least 90% of my recent Reddit history non-promotional?
- [ ] Have I read the subreddit’s rules about self-promotion?
- [ ] Am I posting in a text post format instead of a direct link?
- [ ] Will my content actually help the community, or does it just ask for clicks?
Practical takeaway
Reddit self-promotion rules are not about banning all links. They are about forcing you to be useful first. If you spend a week leaving thoughtful comments and then share one link to your site, you are doing it right. If you create an account and immediately post your blog, you will get removed.
Build trust. Earn the right to share. That is the only shortcut that works.
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FAQ
Q: Can I post my YouTube video on Reddit?
A: Yes, but only if you are an active community member in that subreddit. Many subreddits ban video links entirely. Always check the subreddit rules first.
Q: What happens if I break the self-promotion rules?
A: Your post may be removed by moderators or the spam filter. Repeated violations can lead to a permanent account ban.
Q: How much comment karma do I need to post links?
A: It varies by subreddit. Some require as little as 10 comment karma, others require 100 or more. The number is usually in the subreddit’s rules or automod configuration.
Q: Is it okay to share my own content in comments?
A: Only if the comment is genuinely helpful and the link is relevant to the discussion. Dropping your link in unrelated threads will get you flagged as spam.
