Reddit self-promotion rules come in two layers. Sitewide, the Reddit Rules don’t ban self-promotion, but they ban spam and content manipulation, so an account that exists mostly to promote will get removed. On top of that, each subreddit sets its own rules, and many ban promotion entirely or limit it to a weekly thread. The long-standing community guideline is that no more than about one in ten of your contributions should be promotional. Disclose your connection every time.
This guide to Reddit self-promotion rules explains what counts as self-promotion, what Reddit’s sitewide rules say, how subreddits handle it, the grey areas marketers run into, and what happens when you break the rules.
What counts as self-promotion on Reddit?
Under Reddit self-promotion rules, self-promotion is any post or comment that points people towards something you own, sell or benefit from. That includes more than you might expect:
- Links to your website, product, app or store.
- Mentions of your company or service, even without a link.
- Your blog posts, YouTube videos, podcasts or newsletters.
- Affiliate links, discount codes and referral links.
- Surveys, beta sign-ups and research requests for your business.
- Content made by a client or employer you’re paid to promote.
If you’d benefit when someone clicks, buys or signs up, treat it as self-promotion and check the rules first.
What do Reddit’s sitewide rules say about self-promotion?
The Reddit Rules apply everywhere. They don’t mention self-promotion by name, but two rules cover it in practice:
- No spam or content manipulation. Posting the same content repeatedly, using several accounts, vote manipulation and other attempts to game communities are banned.
- Respect each community’s rules. Communities set their own standards, and breaking them can get you banned from that community.
Reddit’s Reddiquette guidelines add the spirit behind them: it’s fine to be a redditor with a website, and not fine to be a website with a Reddit account. In other words, people who take part in communities can occasionally share their own work; accounts that only promote are treated as spam.
What is the 9:1 rule on Reddit?
The 9:1 rule, sometimes called the 90/10 rule, is a guideline that roughly nine out of every ten contributions should be ordinary participation, and at most one should be self-promotional. Reddit once published a version of it in its official guidance. It no longer appears in the sitewide rules, but many moderators still use it, and some subreddits write it into their own rules.
Treat 9:1 as a ceiling, not a target. In many communities even one promotional post in ten is too many, and in some it’s zero. The guideline’s real point is that your account should look like a person who takes part, not a marketing channel.
How do subreddit self-promotion rules differ?
This is where most removals happen, because Reddit self-promotion rules are mostly set by each community. They fall into a few common patterns:
| Rule type | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No self-promotion at all | No links to or mentions of anything you own | Help without mentioning your business |
| Weekly or monthly thread only | Promotion belongs in a pinned megathread | Post there, and only there |
| Ratio rule (such as 9:1) | Promotion allowed if most of your activity isn’t | Keep a clear record of normal participation |
| Flair or tag required | Promotional posts must be labelled | Use the right flair every time |
| Moderator approval first | Ask before posting anything promotional | Send a short modmail and wait for a yes |
| Karma or account age minimum | New accounts can’t promote, or can’t post at all | Build history first |
Find each community’s rules in the sidebar on desktop or the About section in the app. Our guide to subreddit rules shows where to look and what the sidebar won’t tell you.
How do Reddit self-promotion rules vary by type of community?
Large general communities usually ban self-promotion outright and enforce it with automatic filters. Links from new accounts often disappear immediately.
Professional and industry communities tend to ban vendors from pitching but welcome expert answers. Many run a weekly thread for tools and services, and some require you to disclose your role in your flair.
Creator and maker communities, built around sharing work, often allow you to post your own projects but expect you to take part in the discussion and support others too.
Local subreddits commonly allow businesses to answer recommendation requests, but remove unprompted ads. Several keep a pinned thread for local services.
Brand and product communities are run by or for one company, so promotion of that brand is expected; promoting a competitor usually isn’t.
What do Reddit self-promotion rules look like in practice?
Two examples, written for this guide, show the difference. A comment that breaks most communities’ rules: “Check out my app, it’s the best budgeting tool out there! Link in bio.” It praises without detail, answers nothing and hides nothing, but it also offers nothing.
A comment that most communities would accept, where recommendations are allowed: “For tracking irregular freelance income, the main thing is setting aside a percentage of each payment as it arrives. A spreadsheet works fine; YNAB and Monarch both handle it well. Full disclosure, I built a small app for this, but try the free options first.” It answers the question, names alternatives, and discloses the connection.
Do you have to disclose your connection?
Yes. Reddit readers expect it, many subreddits require it, and in the US the FTC expects anyone with a material connection to a brand to disclose it when they recommend that brand. The FTC’s Disclosures 101 guide explains the basics; other countries have similar rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
A disclosure can be one short phrase: “I work at Acme”, “Full disclosure, this is my product”, “I’m the founder, so I’m biased”. Put it next to the mention, not hidden at the end. Our guide on how to mention your brand on Reddit has more examples.
What are the grey areas in Reddit self-promotion rules?
Some situations aren’t clear-cut under Reddit self-promotion rules. How most communities treat them:
- Sharing your own blog post or video. Usually counts as self-promotion. Some communities allow it if the content is useful on its own and you take part in the discussion.
- Answering “what do you recommend?” with your product. Often allowed if you give a full answer, mention alternatives and disclose. Some communities still ban it.
- Linking your profile or website in your bio. Generally fine; it’s your profile.
- Running a survey for your startup. Many communities ban surveys or require moderator approval.
- Posting an AMA. Usually needs moderator approval in advance.
- Mentioning a client’s product. Counts as promotion if you’re paid, and needs disclosure.
When you’re unsure, ask the moderators before posting. It takes a minute and avoids most problems.
How do weekly self-promotion threads work?
Many communities keep a pinned thread, often weekly or monthly, where members can share their projects, products or services. These are the safest place to promote, because the community has agreed to it.
Make the most of them: post early in the thread’s life, write a short description of what you offer and who it’s for, and answer questions that come in. Don’t copy and paste the same text into every community’s thread; tailor it to each audience.
What happens if you break Reddit self-promotion rules?
Breaking Reddit self-promotion rules has consequences that usually escalate:
- Removal. The post or comment is taken down, often by AutoModerator within seconds.
- Warning. Moderators may message you or leave a removal reason.
- Community ban. Repeat offences can get you banned from that subreddit.
- Sitewide action. Spam across many communities can lead Reddit to restrict or suspend your account, and links to a domain reported as spam can be filtered sitewide.
Creating a new account to get around a ban counts as ban evasion under the Reddit Rules and makes things worse. If a post is removed, our guide on why your Reddit post was removed explains how to find out why, and our Reddit shadowban guide covers account-level restrictions.
How do you promote on Reddit without breaking the rules?
Follow these habits and Reddit self-promotion rules will rarely trip you up:
- Read each community’s rules before posting anything that mentions your business.
- Keep most of your activity non-promotional: answers, advice and discussion.
- Mention your business only when it answers the question, with alternatives and disclosure.
- Use weekly threads where they exist.
- Ask moderators before anything unusual, such as surveys, AMAs or giveaways.
- Never use extra accounts, buy votes or ask others to upvote you.
For a fuller approach, read our guide to how you can promote your business on Reddit, and our Reddit business account guide for who should post.
Do Reddit self-promotion rules apply to ads?
No. Community Reddit self-promotion rules don’t cover paid ads, which follow Reddit’s advertising policies and are labelled as promoted. That’s one reason some businesses use a small ad budget alongside organic participation. Our guide to whether Reddit ads are worth it covers the trade-offs.
Reddit self-promotion rules: frequently asked questions
Is self-promotion allowed on Reddit?
Sometimes. Reddit self-promotion rules at the sitewide level ban spam, not all promotion. Each subreddit decides how much, if any, it allows.
What is Reddit’s 10% rule?
An older guideline that no more than about 10% of your activity should be self-promotional. It’s no longer in the sitewide rules, but many communities still follow it.
Can I post a link to my website on Reddit?
Only where the community allows it, and usually only when it’s useful to the discussion. Many communities filter links from new accounts.
Do I need to say I work for the company?
Yes. Disclose your connection whenever you mention your business or a client’s. Readers, moderators and advertising rules expect it.
What happens if I break a subreddit’s self-promotion rules?
Usually a removal first, then a warning or a ban from that community for repeat breaks. Sitewide spam can lead to account restrictions.
Can I promote my YouTube channel or blog on Reddit?
Only in communities that allow it, and best when the content is useful on its own and you join the discussion. Check the rules and look for a weekly promotion thread.
Want to know which communities are worth your time? Get a free Reddit Opportunity Report showing which Reddit threads already rank for your keywords.
