Reddit can be a goldmine for promotion—but most people do it wrong. They create an account, post a link to their product, and get banned within hours. Or worse, they get shadowbanned and don't even realize their posts are invisible.
This guide will show you how to promote on Reddit the right way. You'll learn what works, what doesn't, and how to build a presence that drives real results without triggering Reddit's spam filters or angry moderators.
Why Reddit Promotion Is Different
Reddit isn't like other social platforms. On Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram, promotional content is expected and even welcomed. On Reddit, it's the fastest way to destroy your account.
Here's why:
- Community-first culture: Redditors are fiercely protective of their communities. They see blatant promotion as an invasion.
- Sophisticated spam detection: Reddit's algorithms (and human moderators) are extremely good at identifying promotional content.
- Vote-based visibility: Even if you don't get banned, promotional posts get downvoted into invisibility.
- Long memory: Your post history is public. One promotional post can follow you forever.
⚠️ What Gets You Banned
Posting links to your own website without providing value. Using multiple accounts to upvote your content. Copying the same content across multiple subreddits. Ignoring subreddit rules. Having a post history that's all self-promotion.
The 10% Rule
Reddit has an unofficial guideline: no more than 10% of your activity should be self-promotional. The other 90% should be genuine participation—answering questions, sharing insights, and engaging with other people's content.
In practice, most successful Reddit marketers keep self-promotion closer to 5% or even lower. The more value you provide, the more leeway you get when you do promote.
Methods That Actually Work
1. Be the Expert, Not the Seller
Instead of promoting your product, promote your expertise. If you run a project management tool, become the go-to person for project management advice in relevant subreddits. Answer questions, share best practices, and build credibility.
When someone asks "what tool do you use?", you can mention your product naturally—because you've earned the right to.
2. Share Stories, Not Pitches
Redditors love stories. "How I went from 0 to $10K MRR" gets thousands of upvotes. "Check out my new startup" gets banned.
Share your journey. Talk about problems you've solved, mistakes you've made, lessons you've learned. Make your product a supporting character in a larger story about your experience.
3. Provide Genuine Value First
Create content that would be valuable even if your product didn't exist. Write comprehensive guides, share industry insights, create useful resources. When you've established yourself as a value-provider, promotional content feels less promotional.
4. Engage in Relevant Threads
Some of the best "promotion" on Reddit happens in comments, not posts. Find threads where people are asking questions that your product solves. Provide a genuinely helpful answer, and mention your product only if it's truly relevant.
"I've tried a bunch of tools for this. [Competitor A] is good but expensive. [Competitor B] has a learning curve. We ended up building our own solution [link] because nothing else fit our needs exactly."
5. Ask for Feedback, Not Sales
Many subreddits allow posts asking for feedback on products or ideas. This is a legitimate way to get your product in front of people while also getting valuable input. Be transparent that you're the creator, and be genuinely open to criticism.
6. Create Community Resources
Build something useful for the community—a comprehensive guide, a comparison spreadsheet, a free tool. When you provide massive value upfront, you earn goodwill and attention for your actual product.
Subreddit-Specific Strategies
Different subreddits require different approaches:
r/entrepreneur and r/startups
These communities are relatively friendly to founders sharing their stories. Focus on lessons learned and be transparent about your journey.
r/SaaS and r/microsaas
Highly engaged communities of SaaS founders. Share metrics, ask for feedback, participate in weekly threads designed for promotion.
Industry-specific subreddits
Be extra careful here. These communities often have strict rules against promotion. Focus on being a helpful expert first.
See our complete subreddit guides for specific strategies by community.
Building Your Reddit Presence
Week 1-4: Listen and Learn
Don't post anything promotional. Just participate. Answer questions, share opinions, build karma. Understand each subreddit's culture and unwritten rules.
Week 5-8: Establish Expertise
Start sharing more substantial content—insights, experiences, mini-guides. Become recognized as someone who provides value.
Week 9+: Strategic Promotion
Now you've earned the right to occasionally mention your product. Do it sparingly, always in context, and always with additional value.
The Long Game Wins
Reddit marketing success comes from months of consistent participation, not viral posts. Brands that play the long game—building genuine community presence over time—see compounding returns that far exceed any quick promotional hit.
What About Reddit Ads?
Reddit offers paid advertising that allows promotion without the risk of bans. However, Reddit ads have their own challenges:
- Users often ignore or actively dislike ads
- Targeting options are more limited than other platforms
- Ad creative that feels too "corporate" underperforms
Paid ads can work as part of a broader strategy, but they're not a replacement for organic presence.
Signs You're Doing It Right
- Your posts get upvotes and genuine engagement
- People recognize your username and respond positively
- You get DMs asking for advice or recommendations
- Other users mention or recommend your product without prompting
- Your karma is growing steadily
- Moderators haven't warned or removed your content
Signs You're Doing It Wrong
- Posts get removed or downvoted
- Comments accusing you of being a shill
- Account warnings from moderators
- Shadowban (your posts don't appear to others)
- Karma staying flat or declining
Want Expert Help With Reddit Promotion?
Reddit Agency knows how to build authentic Reddit presence at scale. We handle strategy, content, and engagement—driving results without risking your brand's reputation.
Book a Demo →Conclusion
Promoting on Reddit is absolutely possible—but it requires patience, authenticity, and a genuine commitment to providing value. The brands that succeed on Reddit are the ones that participate first and promote second.
Think of it this way: you're not trying to extract value from Reddit. You're trying to become a valued member of communities where your customers happen to spend time. When you get that right, promotion takes care of itself.
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