Reddit Rules Explained for Posts, Comments, and Subreddits

Reddit’s sitewide rules apply to everyone, and Reddit admins enforce them. Subreddit moderators set and enforce additional rules for their own communities. Some pinned threads also have instructions for that particular discussion, such as a required format for a feedback request.

Before posting, read the sitewide rules, the community’s full rules, and any pinned instructions that apply. A post can meet Reddit’s platform requirements and still belong in a different thread or community. When you move the same draft to another subreddit, repeat the local checks.

The table paraphrases Reddit’s rules and gives an everyday check for each one. Open the official rules for the full wording and linked policy details. Reddit’s enforcement can include content removal, account restrictions, or suspension. If a rule seems relevant to your draft, read its official explanation before deciding what to publish.

On the community page, look for its rules in the desktop sidebar or in the community information on the app. Open the complete description for any rule that could apply. The rule name is a shortcut. The description can explain exceptions, which content types it covers, and where a restricted topic is allowed.

Check highlighted or pinned threads for submission instructions. Read the rules for the action you are actually taking. A community may allow a link in its weekly feedback thread but restrict standalone link posts. A required flair, title pattern, or disclosure can be part of the rule even when your topic fits.

Illustrative example: You built a recipe organizer and want advice on its import flow. The subreddit says product feedback belongs in the weekly thread and requires people to disclose their affiliation. Read that thread’s instructions for links. If links are allowed there, disclose that you built the tool and ask a specific question. If links are barred, describe the step that needs feedback and ask whether users would expect to paste a recipe URL or upload a file.

Check whether your title describes the issue, your flair is correct, your link is permitted, and any screenshots need redaction or a content label. The community’s own rule and thread instructions determine which option fits.

When a local rule leaves a real ambiguity, send one short message through Modmail. Name the rule, say what you plan to submit, disclose your role when relevant, and ask where it belongs. If the community has already removed a post, include the permalink and the reason shown in the notice. Ask whether a change or a different thread would address it.

For a Reddit account action, read the notice and follow its platform instructions. For a subreddit action, use the community’s stated process. Keep your message focused on the decision you want reviewed.

Keep a short record of the subreddit, date checked, relevant rule, intended thread, and what you changed in the draft. Recheck before publishing a delayed draft or when a pinned thread has been replaced. This also makes it easier to explain why you used a particular title, flair, or link.

If you report content, pick the reason that matches the actual issue. Reddit documents automatic enforcement options in Rules hub for some communities and rules. Moderators still review cases that need judgment, so use the written rule when deciding how to post, even if the composer shows no alert.