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Reddit Self-Promotion Rules (How to Share Without Getting Removed)
Updated for 2025 • Value-first sharing

Reddit Self-Promotion Rules (How to Share Without Getting Removed)

Reddit is not anti-links—it’s anti-spam. The safest way to share anything is to be community-first: match the subreddit rules, add value in the post itself, and avoid repetitive link-dropping across multiple communities.

Author: Editorial Team Reading time: ~7–10 min Last updated: 2025-12-27
Quick answer (snippet-friendly)
  • Rule #1: follow the subreddit’s link policy (some are text-only).
  • Rule #2: add value first (summary + discussion), link second.
  • Rule #3: avoid repeating the same link/message across subreddits.

On this page

  1. The mindset: “discussion-first”
  2. Where self-promo rules usually live
  3. The safe sharing checklist
  4. Templates that feel native
  5. Mistakes that get removed
  6. FAQ
Related guides

The mindset: “discussion-first”

Reddit communities reward posts that start a real conversation. If your post looks like an advertisement, people downvote it and moderators remove it. The safest approach is: teach something, share a checklist, or ask a specific question—and only then include a link if allowed.

Where self-promo rules usually live

  • Sidebar rules: often says “no self-promo” or “limited promo”.
  • Pinned posts / megathreads: “Weekly promo thread” is common.
  • AutoModerator messages: removal notes often say what to change.
  • Top posts format: the “unofficial standard” of what the community accepts.

If you’re unsure, do a quick scan using: How to Read Subreddit Rules Like a Pro.

The safe sharing checklist

Do this before posting any link
  1. Confirm links are allowed (some subreddits are text-only).
  2. Choose the correct flair (missing flair is a common removal trigger).
  3. Write value first: add a short summary (3–5 bullets) inside the post.
  4. Make it discussion-first: end with one clear question.
  5. Avoid repetition: don’t post the same link/message across multiple subs.
  6. Be transparent if you have a connection to the link (disclosure builds trust).

Templates that feel native

Template 1: “I made a checklist” (safe + useful)

Title: I made a checklist for [topic] — feedback welcome Body: Here’s the short version: - Bullet 1 - Bullet 2 - Bullet 3 Question: What would you add or remove? (If links are allowed, here’s the full version: [link])

Template 2: “I tested X vs Y” (discussion-first)

Title: I tested X vs Y for [time] — results + what surprised me Body: Setup: [your context] Results: [3 bullets] Question: Which option would you choose and why?

Improve titles with: How to Write a Good Reddit Title

Mistakes that get removed

High-risk patterns
  • Link-only posts with no summary
  • Same link posted repeatedly
  • Copy/paste across multiple subreddits
  • Ignoring flair/title rules
Better alternatives
  • Text-first posts with useful bullets
  • One subreddit at a time, tailored format
  • Ask questions and reply to comments
  • Use the correct flair

Next step

Read next: How to Avoid Temporary Blocks on Reddit.

FAQ

Is self-promotion always banned?

No. It depends on the subreddit. Many allow it in specific formats or threads. Always check local rules and pinned posts.

Should I post the same link in many subreddits?

That’s risky. Repetition is a common spam-filter trigger. Tailor your post to one community at a time.

What’s the safest way to include a link?

Provide real value in the post first (summary + question). Add the link only if the subreddit allows it.