If you ask “what is not allowed on Reddit” and expect a simple list, here it is: spam, harassment, illegal content, vote manipulation, ban evasion, and breaking individual subreddit rules.
That’s the short version. The real answer is more layered, and missing one layer is what gets beginners banned on day one.
The Three Layers of “Not Allowed”
Reddit is not one website with one rulebook. It’s thousands of communities, each with its own moderation, layered on top of Reddit’s own global policies. You need to understand all three layers.
Layer 1: Reddit’s Site-Wide Content Policy
These are Reddit’s non-negotiable rules. Break these, and your account gets suspended by Reddit itself, not just by a subreddit moderator.
What is explicitly not allowed:
- Illegal content – Anything that violates US law or your local laws. This includes stolen content, pirated material, and doxxing (sharing someone’s private information).
- Harassment and bullying – Targeting someone across posts, comments, or DMs. Reddit takes this seriously, and it’s one of the fastest ways to lose your account.
- Spam – Posting the same link across multiple subreddits, using bots, or posting low-effort content purely to promote something.
- Vote manipulation – Asking people to upvote your post, creating multiple accounts to upvote yourself, or joining vote rings. Reddit’s algorithms detect unnatural voting patterns.
- Ban evasion – Creating a new account to bypass a subreddit or site-wide ban. Reddit tracks device fingerprints and IPs.
- NSFW content involving minors – Zero tolerance. This gets reported to authorities.
These rules apply everywhere on Reddit, including private subreddits and direct messages.
Layer 2: Subreddit-Specific Rules
This is where most beginners get caught. Every subreddit has its own set of rules, usually pinned in the sidebar or shown before you post. What is not allowed on Reddit in one subreddit might be perfectly fine in another.
Common subreddit-specific bans:
- Self-promotion – Many subreddits allow you to post your own content only if you are an active community member first (the 10:1 rule: 10 comments for every 1 self-promo post).
- Low-effort content – “Title only” posts, memes in serious discussion subreddits, or reposts.
- Off-topic content – Posting about cats in a subreddit about cars.
- Account age or karma thresholds – Some subreddits automatically remove posts from accounts younger than 30 days or with less than 100 karma.
Real example: In r/Entrepreneur, you cannot post a link to your product without first asking for feedback in the weekly feedback thread. If you post a direct link, it gets removed instantly, and you might get a warning or ban.
Layer 3: Unwritten Rules (Reddiquette)
Reddit has an old document called Reddiquette. It’s not enforced like a law, but ignoring it will get you downvoted into oblivion and eventually banned by mods who are tired of your behavior.
Unwritten rules that matter:
- Read the room before posting – Lurk in a subreddit for a few days to understand the tone and culture before you submit anything.
- Don’t be a jerk – Aggressive debating, name-calling, or “well actually” corrections without adding value.
- Don’t edit your comments to complain about downvotes – That’s a guaranteed way to get more downvotes.
- Use the search function – If your question has been asked 50 times, you will get roasted.
Practical Example: A Beginner’s First Post That Breaks Everything
Let’s say you are new to Reddit. You create an account, read the Reddit rules, and think you are ready. You post a link to your blog in r/marketing with the title “Great marketing tips.”
Here is what you just broke:
- Subreddit rules – r/marketing requires you to have 10 comment karma before posting links. Your account has 0.
- Reddit rules – You posted a self-promotion link without being an active community member. That counts as spam.
- Reddiquette – You did not read recent posts in the subreddit. The same blog post was posted yesterday and removed.
Result: Your post is removed automatically by AutoModerator. You get a message from the mods. If you do it again, you get banned.
Common Mistakes New Users Make
- Posting before reading subreddit rules – Every subreddit has rules. Read them before you post.
- Ignoring account age and karma requirements – Many subreddits require both. You cannot skip this.
- Using the same post in multiple subreddits – Crossposting is allowed, but posting the exact same link in 10 subreddits is spam.
- Thinking “it’s just a joke” is a defense – Harassment and hate speech are not allowed, even if you think it’s funny.
- Not understanding vote manipulation – Asking friends to upvote your post or using alternate accounts to upvote yourself will get your account suspended.
Small Checklist: What to Review Before You Post
Before you hit submit on any Reddit post or comment, check these five things:
- [ ] Have I read this subreddit’s rules in the sidebar or pinned post?
- [ ] Does my account meet the minimum age and karma requirements for this subreddit?
- [ ] Is my post genuinely useful to this community, not just self-promotion?
- [ ] Have I checked if this same question or link was posted recently?
- [ ] Is my tone respectful and on-topic?
If you answer “no” to any of these, do not post yet. Spend time reading and commenting first. That is how you build the trust needed to participate.
Final Takeaway
Reddit is not complicated, but it is different from other social platforms. The most important thing you can do as a beginner is to read before you act. Read the Reddit rules. Read the subreddit rules. Read the room.
Spend your first week commenting helpfully in a few subreddits that interest you. Build some karma. Learn the culture. Then start posting.
If you want more help getting started, check out our guide to Reddit account setup and our Reddit karma guide for practical steps on building trust without getting banned.
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 post a link to my own website on Reddit?
A: Yes, but only in subreddits that allow self-promotion. Most subreddits require you to be an active community member first. A good rule is 10 helpful comments for every 1 link you post.
Q: What happens if I break a subreddit rule?
A: Usually your post or comment is removed automatically. If you break the rule repeatedly, the moderators can ban you from that subreddit permanently. Site-wide violations can get your entire account suspended.
Q: Can I use multiple accounts on Reddit?
A: Yes, you can have multiple accounts, but you cannot use them to upvote your own posts, avoid bans, or manipulate discussions. That is vote manipulation and ban evasion, both of which are not allowed.
Q: How do I know if a subreddit has karma or age requirements?
A: Check the subreddit’s rules in the sidebar. Many subreddits also have an automated message that tells you why your post was removed. If you are unsure, ask the moderators directly.
Q: Is it allowed to delete my own posts or comments?
A: Yes, you can delete your own content at any time. However, moderators can still see deleted content in the moderation log, and deleted posts do not erase rule violations.
