Account Suspended vs Banned vs Restricted (What Each Status Means)
Reddit uses different enforcement levels: some are temporary, some are subreddit-specific, and some affect your entire account. This guide explains what each status means, what commonly causes it, and the safest next steps.
- Subreddit ban: you’re blocked from a specific community.
- Restriction: temporary limits (rate limits, posting limits, verification checks).
- Suspension: account-wide enforcement (more serious).
On this page
Definitions (plain English)
You can’t post/comment in a specific subreddit. Other communities may still work.
Temporary limits on actions (posting/commenting frequency, verification prompts, etc.).
Account-wide enforcement. You may lose the ability to post/comment across Reddit.
Your posts may not show in feeds due to filters or removals (not always a ban).
How to tell which one you have
- Subreddit ban: you usually receive a message from moderators; only that subreddit is affected.
- Restriction: messages like “You’re doing that too much” or frequent verification prompts.
- Suspension: account-level message/notice; actions fail across many subreddits.
If you’re unsure, start with: Warning Messages Explained.
Common causes
- Rule violations: posting off-topic, low-effort content, or breaking subreddit rules.
- Spam patterns: repetition, bursts, copy/paste, link-dropping.
- Harassment or toxic behavior: personal attacks or repeated conflicts.
- Policy violations: platform-wide rule issues (more serious).
Safe recovery steps
- Read the message and identify the stated reason.
- Stop the triggering behavior (don’t spam retries).
- Cool down for a bit and reduce activity.
- Fix format issues (flair/title rules) and improve content quality.
- Appeal politely where appropriate (subreddit bans: modmail).
Next step
Read next: How to Contact Moderators (Modmail Templates That Work).
FAQ
Is a restriction the same as a suspension?
No. Restrictions are often temporary action limits. Suspensions are account-wide enforcement and more serious.
Should I create a new account if I’m banned?
The safest approach is to follow the appeal process and community rules rather than trying to bypass enforcement.
What’s the fastest way to regain trust?
Slow down, avoid repetition, and contribute helpful comments consistently over time.