Why Your Reddit Posts Keep Getting Removed (And How to Fix It)

You spent 30 minutes writing the perfect Reddit post. You hit submit, refresh the page, and... nothing. Your post is gone. No notification, no explanation, just silence.

This happens to thousands of Reddit users every day. And if you're trying to build a presence on Reddit for your business or personal brand, these silent removals can completely derail your strategy.

I've spent years figuring out exactly why Reddit removes posts and how to avoid these invisible landmines. In this guide, I'll break down every reason your content might be disappearing—and give you actionable fixes for each one.

Understanding How Reddit's Removal System Works

Before we dive into specific reasons, you need to understand the three layers of content moderation on Reddit:

1. Reddit's Site-Wide AutoMod

Reddit has platform-level filters that automatically remove content containing certain keywords, spam patterns, or suspicious behavior. You'll never see these rules published anywhere.

2. Subreddit-Specific AutoMod

Each subreddit can configure their own AutoModerator with custom rules. These vary wildly—what's allowed in one community might get you instantly banned in another.

3. Human Moderators

Volunteer moderators review flagged content and can remove posts manually. They have enormous discretion within their communities.

The tricky part? When your content is removed, you often won't know which layer caught it or why. Your post simply vanishes from everyone else's view while still appearing normal to you—this is called a "shadow removal."

Understanding Reddit's content policy is your first step to avoiding removals.

12 Reasons Your Reddit Posts Get Removed

1. Your Account Is Too New

Most subreddits have minimum account age requirements, typically ranging from 1 day to 30 days. This prevents spam accounts from flooding communities.

The Fix:

• Wait until your account meets the minimum age (usually visible in subreddit rules)
• Build karma in other subreddits while you wait
• Consider using an established Reddit account if you need to post immediately for business purposes

2. You Don't Have Enough Karma

Karma thresholds are the most common posting barrier. Many subreddits require 10, 50, 100, or even 500+ karma before you can post.

The Fix:

• Check the subreddit's rules for karma requirements
• Build karma by commenting helpfully in communities you enjoy
• Start with smaller subreddits that have lower thresholds
• Learn more in our guide on finding the right subreddits for your niche

3. Your Title Broke the Rules

Title rules are surprisingly strict on many subreddits:

• Some require specific formats (questions only, no editorializing)
• Others ban certain words or phrases
• Many have character limits or requirements
• News subreddits often require exact headline matching

The Fix:

• Read the full rules before posting, paying special attention to title guidelines
• Look at successful posts in the subreddit to see what title formats work
• When in doubt, keep titles straightforward and descriptive

4. You Triggered Spam Filters

Reddit's spam detection looks for patterns like:

• Posting the same content to multiple subreddits quickly
• Using URL shorteners (bit.ly, t.co, etc.)
• Excessive links in your post
• New accounts posting links
• Certain "spammy" keywords

The Fix:

• Space out cross-posts (wait at least an hour between similar posts)
• Use full URLs, never shorteners
• Limit links to 1-2 per post maximum
• Establish your account with text-only posts before sharing links

5. Your Post Looks Like Self-Promotion

Reddit has strict self-promotion guidelines. The general rule: only 10% of your content should promote your own stuff. The other 90% should be genuine community participation.

The Fix:

• Follow the 90/10 rule religiously
• Build a comment history before posting promotional content
• Frame promotional posts as genuinely helpful content, not advertisements
• Consider building engagement through authentic comments to establish credibility first

6. You Used a Banned Domain

Many subreddits maintain blacklists of domains. These often include:

• Known spam sites
• Competitor websites
• URL shorteners
• Certain social media platforms
• Sites that previously brigaded the subreddit

The Fix:

• Check if your domain is banned by searching the subreddit for it
• If your site is banned, focus on providing value through text posts
• Contact moderators to ask about whitelisting if you have legitimate content

7. Your Flair Was Wrong or Missing

Many subreddits require post flair—those tags like "Discussion," "Question," or "News" that categorize content.

The Fix:

• Always check if flair is required (it's usually mentioned in rules or you'll see a flair button when posting)
• Choose the most accurate flair for your content
• Some subreddits assign flair automatically based on keywords

8. You Posted During a Restricted Period

Some subreddits implement:

• Weekend-only or weekday-only posting for certain content types
• Megathread requirements (all questions must go in the weekly thread)
• Temporary posting restrictions during high-traffic events
• "Serious" periods where memes or jokes aren't allowed

The Fix:

• Read pinned posts and rules for any current restrictions
• Check for megathreads that might be the appropriate place for your content
• Time your posts appropriately—read our guide on the best times to post on Reddit

9. Your Post Was Flagged by Users

Enough user reports will automatically remove a post pending moderator review. Some communities have very active "report cultures."

The Fix:

• Ensure your content clearly fits the subreddit's purpose
• Avoid controversial framing that might trigger mass reports
• If wrongly removed, politely message the moderators

10. You Were Shadowbanned

A shadowban means Reddit has flagged your entire account as spam. Your posts and comments appear normal to you but are invisible to everyone else.

How to Check:

• Log out and try to view your profile
• Post in r/ShadowBan to get checked
• If your profile shows "page not found" when logged out, you're shadowbanned

The Fix:

• Appeal to Reddit admins at reddit.com/appeals
• If unsuccessful, you may need to start fresh with a new account
• This is why maintaining quality Reddit accounts matters for business

11. Duplicate Content Detection

Reddit blocks duplicate posts at multiple levels:

• Same URL posted recently to the same subreddit
• Identical or near-identical text posts
• Cross-posts that exceed community limits

The Fix:

• Search the subreddit before posting to ensure your content is unique
• If sharing a URL that's been posted before, add substantial commentary
• Customize your post for each subreddit rather than copy-pasting

12. You Violated Community-Specific Rules

Every subreddit has unique rules. Common examples:

• r/AskReddit: Questions must be open-ended
• r/todayilearned: Must be verifiable facts
• r/pics: Must be interesting without the title
• r/news: No opinion pieces

The Fix:

• Read ALL rules before posting—including any linked wiki pages
• Sort by "Top" to see what content succeeds in that community
• When in doubt, message moderators before posting

How to Check If Your Post Was Removed

Reddit doesn't notify you when posts are removed. Here's how to check:

Method 1: Log Out and Look

Open your post URL in an incognito window or while logged out. If you see "[removed]" or the post doesn't appear, it's been taken down.

Method 2: Use Third-Party Tools

Sites like Reveddit.com show your removed content and often indicate why it was removed.

Method 3: Check "New" Tab

Go to the subreddit's "new" tab and look for your post. If it's not there within a few minutes of posting, it was likely filtered.

What to Do When Your Post Is Removed

Don't Immediately Repost

Reposting removed content will likely get it removed again—and might get you flagged as a spammer. Instead:

1. Identify why it was removed using the methods above
2. Read the rules again to find what you violated
3. Message the moderators politely asking for clarification
4. Fix the issue before trying again

Messaging Moderators Effectively

When contacting mods:

• Be polite and assume good faith
• Acknowledge you may have made a mistake
• Ask specifically what rule was violated
• Offer to revise and repost if appropriate

Bad: "Why did you remove my post? This is censorship!"

Good: "Hi, my post about [topic] was removed. I've read the rules but I'm not sure which one I violated. Could you please let me know so I can avoid this in the future?"

Preventing Future Removals: A Checklist

Before every post, run through this checklist:

• [ ] Account meets age requirement
• [ ] Account meets karma requirement
• [ ] Title follows all formatting rules
• [ ] Content fits the subreddit's purpose
• [ ] Post has required flair
• [ ] No banned domains or URL shorteners
• [ ] Not duplicate content
• [ ] Not during a restricted period
• [ ] Self-promotion ratio is healthy (90/10)
• [ ] No spam trigger words or patterns

Building a Removal-Proof Reddit Strategy

The best way to avoid removals is to build a genuine presence on Reddit. This means:

Invest in Your Account

• Build karma through helpful comments before posting links
• Establish a history in the communities you want to post in
• Diversify your activity across multiple subreddits

Understand Each Community

• Spend time lurking before participating
• Learn the unwritten rules by observing what gets upvoted
• Build relationships with active community members

Prioritize Value Over Promotion

As we discuss in our guide on why Reddit marketing matters, Reddit rewards genuine contribution. The more value you provide, the more leeway you get.

Use the Right Tools

For businesses serious about Reddit:

• Quality Reddit comments help establish authentic engagement
• Strategic upvotes ensure your good content gets visibility
• Established accounts bypass new-account restrictions
• Professional posts are crafted to follow community guidelines

Common Myths About Reddit Removals

Myth: Mods Remove Posts They Personally Disagree With

While this occasionally happens, most removals are automated or follow clear rules. Mods in large subreddits process hundreds of posts daily—they don't have time for personal vendettas.

Myth: Paying for Awards Protects Your Post

Awards don't prevent removal. A post with 10 gold awards will still be removed if it violates rules.

Myth: High Karma Makes You Immune

Karma helps you meet posting thresholds, but it doesn't exempt you from rules. High-karma accounts can still be banned.

Myth: Deleted Posts Don't Affect Your Account

Repeated removals can flag your account as problematic, leading to increased scrutiny or eventual suspension.

Conclusion

Reddit post removals are frustrating, but they're rarely random. By understanding the system—from AutoMod filters to community-specific rules—you can dramatically reduce how often your content disappears.

The key takeaways:

1. Build your account before trying to post promotional content
2. Read all rules including wiki pages and pinned posts
3. Check your posts using incognito mode or third-party tools
4. Message mods politely when you're unsure what went wrong
5. Provide genuine value to reduce scrutiny on your content

Remember: Reddit rewards patience and authenticity. Rush the process, and you'll spend more time fighting removals than building your presence.

For more strategies on building an effective Reddit presence, check out our guide on driving organic traffic from Reddit.