Reddit isn’t your average social platform. It’s not Instagram with memes or LinkedIn in a hoodie. It’s a digital coliseum of opinions, callouts, and karma, where the community has zero patience for self-promotion and an instant Reddit ban trigger finger.
Here’s the truth:
Reddit is an incredible growth channel—until you screw up. Then it bans you, shadowbans you, and forgets you existed.
This playbook breaks down how to market on Reddit without getting torched, banned, or downvoted into oblivion.
Let’s go.
How Marketers Get Banned on Reddit (With Real Examples)
Before we get into the tactics, let’s talk about what not to do. Reddit has a long, gory history of brands and growth hackers flying too close to the sun:
Case 1: The Karma Farmer
A SaaS founder posted “organic” questions in r/SaaS asking for tool recommendations… and then answered their own question with their startup’s name.
Result? Mod caught on, flagged all accounts, and shadowbanned for spam. No warning.
This is a very common real tactic — a marketer creates two accounts (or uses their own) to post a “recommendation request” and then answers with their own product. This has been documented in subs like r/Entrepreneur and [r/SaaS).
Case 2: Link-Spammer
Multiple Reddit threads (including in r/marketing and r/JustStart) have real examples of marketers who post their blog links every few days, get mass-reported, and banned. These bans are often permanent and without recourse.
Result? Permanent ban from the sub. All karma wiped.
Case 3: Crossposting with No Context
Reddit’s AutoMod + mod teams detect duplicate content across subs. This tactic is often used by crypto and affiliate marketers and leads to global shadowbans. It’s been discussed in r/ShadowBan and r/ModSupport.
Result? Instant global shadowban. No appeal.
Case 4: AutoModerator Flagging Posts as Spam
Reddit's AutoModerator can automatically remove posts that match certain criteria, such as containing links or specific keywords, which can lead to bans if not addressed.
“I got banned from a channel, the reason for the ban was 'TikTok spam'... I was banned for 25 days.”
— u/[deleted] in r/AutoModerator
Case 5: Shadowbanning Without Notification
Reddit can shadowban users, making their posts invisible to others without any notification, often due to spammy behavior or violating site-wide rules.
“Being shadowbanned means Reddit's algorithm itself thinks your account is a spam account, a bot, or some other unwelcome presence.”
— u/PolylingualAnilingus in r/NewToReddit
Case 6: AutoModerator Making It Hard to Earn Karma
Some users find it challenging to gain karma due to AutoModerator removing their posts, which can hinder their ability to participate in certain subreddits.
“I have been on Reddit for over 2 years now and I am having a very hard time earning Karma, thanks to AutoModerator deleting almost everything I post or comment.”
— u/[deleted] in r/NewToReddit
Pattern: Redditors don’t hate links. They hate intent that smells like sales.
Read More: LinkedIn Posting - Do's & Don'ts
How Reddit Polices You: AutoMod, Mods, and the Ban Hammer
Reddit moderation is handled by a brutal triad:
- AutoMod – A bot that scans every post/comment for keywords, link types, and account behavior.
- Subreddit Mods – Volunteer overlords who have god-level powers in their own subs.
- Admins – The site-wide Reddit team. They deal with site-wide bans and repeat offenders.
If your post:
- Contains too many links
- Is posted too soon after account creation
- Is from a low-karma user
- Has “marketing” signals (trackers, redirects, salesy language)
…it’s either instantly removed, or worse, you get banned silently and don’t know it.
Tool to audit your visibility: https://www.reddit.com/user/me + Reddit Shadowban Tester
How to Use Reddit for Marketing
1. Think Value-First, Not Link-First
Before posting a single URL, do this:
- Comment on 15–20 posts across your target subs. Add value.
- Build karma in your user history.
- Answer questions. Ask smart ones.
- Post your actual face or story (Reddit loves authenticity).
Then—maybe—drop your link, wrapped in 10x the context.
2. Know the Rules of the Sub (No, Seriously, Read Them)
Each subreddit has custom rules. Some examples:
- r/Entrepreneur – No self-promotion unless in a weekly thread.
- r/Marketing – One link every 30 days, and only in mega-threads.
- r/SaaS – Link only after 25 karma and 7 days of account age.
- r/SmallBusiness – Strictly moderated. Ads = death.
- r/SideProject – Friendly to builders, but not spammers.
A new Redditor was banned from a subreddit for exceeding the allowed percentage of self-promotional content, highlighting the importance of understanding each subreddit's rules.
“I got banned from a certain subreddit for self-promotion... they won’t remove my ban until I have under 10%.”
— u/[deleted] in r/NewToReddit
Always check the rules tab and mod posts. A single mistake = insta-ban.
3. Run Value-Driven Experiments (The Ethical Growth Hacker Way)
Try these tested approaches:
AMA (Ask Me Anything)
Start with a post like:
“I bootstrapped my email tool to $25k MRR in 18 months. Ask me anything.”
No links. Just credibility and storytelling. Once the thread gets traction, let someone else mention your product, or reference it casually.
Comment-Led Traffic
Find high-performing posts and drop insanely helpful comments. No links.
Then in your profile:
“Founder of X | Check out what we’re building: [Your site]”
People will click.
Case Study Threads
Share breakdowns like:
“How I ran a $500 Reddit ad experiment and got 43 demo calls in 1 week.”
Link only at the end, if at all. Add screenshots, numbers, and story.
Tool Recommendations (If You're Not the Creator)
You can suggest your own tool IF:
- You’re transparent about it
- You’ve already been active in that sub
- You answer questions without sounding like a shill
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Tools to Help You Win at Reddit Marketing (Without the Ban)
Use these to plan content, find the best time to post, and monitor competition.
Can You Advertise on Reddit? Yes — Here's How
If you want to play it safe and pay-to-play, Reddit Ads is your tool.
Pros:
- Instant visibility
- No karma or reputation required
- Supports interest, location, subreddit targeting
- Native-looking ad format (sponsored posts)
Cons:
- Expensive CPCs in competitive niches
- Low CTR if content isn't native to Reddit culture
- Ads marked “sponsored” may get skipped by skeptical users
Pro Tip: Use Reddit Ads only after you’ve seen organic traction in a sub. Otherwise, you're burning your budget.
What If You Get Banned? (It Happens)
If You’re Subreddit Banned:
- Message the mod politely.
- Acknowledge the rule you broke.
- Ask for one-time leniency.
- Don’t argue. Don’t rage.
“Hey [ModName], I realize I posted outside the rules. Totally my bad. Would love to stay active here and contribute. Appreciate any reconsideration.”
Sometimes it works. Sometimes you eat the ban and move on.
If You’re Shadowbanned or Site-Wide Banned:
- Check via r/ShadowBan
- Appeal via Reddit contact form
- If no luck, create a new account with:
- New email
- New IP or VPN
- New user persona (don’t copy-paste your past life)
And this time… don’t blow it.
Final Warning: Reddit Sees Right Through You
Reddit users are professional bulls—they can smell promotion 3 links away. If you wouldn’t say it in a bar, don’t say it in r/Entrepreneur.
That said?
If you play it smart—build karma, offer value, tell real stories—Reddit will reward you.
It might just become your most honest, high-converting traffic source.
TL;DR: The Reddit Ban-Proof Marketing Checklist
- Don’t drop links on day one
- Farm karma ethically (comment-first)
- Use AMAs, case studies, or Q&A-style content
- Follow each subreddit’s rules to the letter
- Use tools like GummySearch & Pushshift to find trends
- If you get banned, appeal once. Rebuild smart.
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