59 replies
Okay, so I thought I'd throw this warning out there...

For anyone that didn't know this.

If you are promoting links on Reddit, be careful.

If you point to the same source too much...

You'll be "shadow banned."

What that basically means is this:

1. You'll still be able to log-in

2. You can still comment/post links

3. You won't even know you're banned

BUT...none of your posts will show up.

Want to know if you're banned? I found this tool:

http://shadowbancheck.appspot.com/



This happened to me because I was pointing to a YouTube channel.

If you're worried about this, use the 10% rule.

And make sure you comment, engage, and post useful info.
#reddit #warning
  • Profile picture of the author rjh1960
    Thanks for the headsup. I use Reddit a lot
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  • Profile picture of the author BennyP
    Nice. One of my accounts was shadow banned. Had no idea!
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  • Profile picture of the author Stefan Shields
    That happened to me in my first few days of using Reddit.

    I'll have to be smarter in the future.
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  • Profile picture of the author jessiem
    Hmm.looks like my account was shadow banned.
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  • Profile picture of the author himanuzo
    My Reddit profile is error for public that without login. Yes, my account is shadow banned.

    Don't use Reddit for backlining purpose.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lokahi
    Just use Reddit for how it was intended, for sharing opinions and posting helpful advice and you won't ever get banned. Let promotional purposes be the secondary reason you use the site. Then your motive will be right and you will automatically make most of your posts to help others rather than for self promotion. Anyway, thank you for the helpful guidelines.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bettypaul
      I have never come across such a message in Reddit. I use Reddit regularly. The only problem with Reddit is that they wont allow us to submit more than 1 link per day i suppose. they show a message like wait for 1 hr/ something to post another link. But they never allow to post another the same day.Anyways , your post made me aware about this problem with Reddit. Thanks .
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  • Profile picture of the author Moneymaker2012
    Oh, that's very good share, I didn't knew it before. but now need to be carefull
    thanks alot.
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  • Profile picture of the author rozerr
    Yes, Reddit have "10% rule". According to this rule, If they see that you have submitted more than 10% of your contributions from one source, they may ban your account. It happened with me also and i found this information here: How to Use Reddit | Social Media Today

    Thanks for the tool!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Lokahi
      Originally Posted by rozerr View Post

      Yes, Reddit have "10% rule". According to this rule, If they see that you have submitted more than 10% of your contributions from one source, they may ban your account. It happened with me also and i found this information here: How to Use Reddit | Social Media Today

      Thanks for the tool!!!
      Does that refer to 10% of links to any particular site? Or just to lesser known sites? For instance, many people link to Flickr or Youtube daily, multiple times without getting banned. Just thinking if it smacks of advertising or spam you will get banned or censured whether or not it's 10% or just 1% as spam doesn't really contribute much to the Reddit community
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  • Profile picture of the author ReferralCandy
    Yeap, Reddit users themselves are very suspicious of marketing activities on the forum anyway—there's a whole subreddit dedicated to weeding it out. The culture is generally very hostile to any sort of self-promotion that doesn't contribute value to others, so if you have to be there, be useful.
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  • Profile picture of the author ImtheBrilliantest
    Wow, I've used reddit a lot but never knew shadowbanning was possible...thanks for the heads up.
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthem40
      It's unbelievable that people can't figure out how to use Reddit correctly. Thanks for posting that crutch for those that don't actually stop and think about what they are doing.
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      95% of IM'ers have great relationships with clients who also advertise offline and with other people. Stop missing out on that cash and leverage into it. PM me if you are an established marketer and want to find out how.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeadStartSEO
    Whoa. This is the first I've heard of this. Luckily I'm in the clear.

    Thank you OP for sharing!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kingfish85
    Stop submitting SPAM & junk: Problem solved.

    Most of those "submitting" links as you say, aren't submitting content worth reading, they're spamming.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheFury
      Originally Posted by Kingfish85 View Post

      Stop submitting SPAM & junk: Problem solved.

      Most of those "submitting" links as you say, aren't submitting content worth reading, they're spamming.
      This. I was concerned (as you can see from my last post) but the more I think about it.. I have only submitted links to myself, but when I get 30-100+likes per link and also contribute to commenting and discussion and submit text posts as well, it's unlikely I am getting banned unless by an auto-bot.
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  • Profile picture of the author bluearrow
    Wow I didn't know about this shadow ban thing ! Thanks for the share.
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  • Profile picture of the author narenfomax
    Thanks for sharing. I was not very much aware of the fact. I am using reddit, quite often and I have got instant traffic from reddit. If you can write interesting title, surely you will get traffic. Share only 20 % self promotional links and remaining 80% share interesting stuff to build good karma.
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthem40
      Originally Posted by narenfomax View Post

      Thanks for sharing. I was not very much aware of the fact. I am using reddit, quite often and I have got instant traffic from reddit. If you can write interesting title, surely you will get traffic. Share only 20 % self promotional links and remaining 80% share interesting stuff to build good karma.
      To summarize

      Step 1. Be Intelligent
      Step 2. Don't be Unintelligent.
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      95% of IM'ers have great relationships with clients who also advertise offline and with other people. Stop missing out on that cash and leverage into it. PM me if you are an established marketer and want to find out how.
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  • Profile picture of the author nirmalya
    Thanks for sharing this app with us .

    I just check mine and found shadow banned.

    (
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennisknows
    Ha ha.. I've been shadowbanned.. LMAO.. My day is ruined!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author patadeperro
    I dont work for Reddit, but I have a lot of experience in the site, the shadowban is something that it is usually done to what are considered bots, generally speakin people that are just droping links, there are several things you can do once you have been shadowbanned:

    a) STOP just sending links, specially if they are just yours.
    b) Start commenting in the same sub reddit you have been shadow banned.
    c) After you have been comenting for a while write the mods and ask them why others cant see the links you post? they will realize you are not a bot and they will remove the shadow bann.
    d) Reddit is so big that there are probably more than a couple of siub reddits where you can promote your content, look for another sub reddit and move on.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fantastic
    Glad this helped you all!
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  • Profile picture of the author nitesh
    What this tool is doing? I have checked it but it did not told anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
    Yes - I was shadow banned or "Ghosted" or whatever they call it over there within days as well. Made a couple of mistakes early on not knowing exactly how the system works and the culture.

    I've mentioned this in another thread but it's worth repeating here...

    Although their traffic is great, its run by a bunch of D-BAGS.

    Here are some tips:

    * DO NOT for any reason create an account that has a username and uses an email address that bares ANY resemblance to your personal website you want to use Reddit to get traffic for. That was the biggest mistake I made

    * Make sure you comment and vote on a bunch of other posts and comments. Keep the ratio of comments and votes on other stuff to yours at least 5 to 1

    * Make sure you mix up the different kinds of links you share and do not favor any one site. Keep the ratio of other sites to your own at least 5 to 1. Maybe even 10 to 1. They are smart over there.

    * Hang out and participate in more subreddits than you target for the market you need traffic from

    * Don't spend too much time in there bc its run by a bunch of d-bags and after reading some of the users comments , you'll realize they are a bunch of d-bags too.
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    • Profile picture of the author Fantastic
      Originally Posted by jasondinner View Post

      Yes - I was shadow banned or "Ghosted" or whatever they call it over there within days as well. Made a couple of mistakes early on not knowing exactly how the system works and the culture.

      I've mentioned this in another thread but it's worth repeating here...

      Although their traffic is great, its run by a bunch of D-BAGS.

      Here are some tips:

      * DO NOT for any reason create an account that has a username and uses an email address that bares ANY resemblance to your personal website you want to use Reddit to get traffic for. That was the biggest mistake I made

      * Make sure you comment and vote on a bunch of other posts and comments. Keep the ratio of comments and votes on other stuff to yours at least 5 to 1

      * Make sure you mix up the different kinds of links you share and do not favor any one site. Keep the ratio of other sites to your own at least 5 to 1. Maybe even 10 to 1. They are smart over there.

      * Hang out and participate in more subreddits than you target for the market you need traffic from

      * Don't spend too much time in there bc its run by a bunch of d-bags and after reading some of the users comments , you'll realize they are a bunch of d-bags too.
      Good tips! That's exactly what I'd recommend doing.

      If you are going to promote your stuff...

      Do it monthly. Hop on there once or twice a week, comment, etc.

      Then, once a month (you'll have also built a good reputation)...

      Share something of your own...

      Be careful if it's a YouTube video though.

      Thanks for sharing the good advice!
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  • Profile picture of the author AlexGeorge
    I have used Reddit in the past, but not too extensively. Reddit doesn't take too kindly to internet marketers, especially people who are there with the sole purpose to promote a site/product. I tend to only promote something every week so I don't get marked for spam, which the user community are always on the lookout for.
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  • Profile picture of the author rebirthfreedom
    ok so crazy.. I was just thinking.. man I don't have a reddit acct yet.. what am I missin!
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  • Profile picture of the author FerdinandF
    Follow the GOlden Rule. Provide value, if you are not providing vlaue you will get banned and your internet business will not survive. I like building something that will last, not just be a flash in the pan. So if you use Reddit the way it should be used, then you are providing value and you will not be banned.
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  • Profile picture of the author PolkaDotMarketing
    Thanks for the tip. I really don't understand why they don't just tell you that you've been band. It's kind of ridiculous...
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    • Profile picture of the author Kingfish85
      Originally Posted by PolkaDotMarketing View Post

      It's kind of ridiculous...
      Lol. It keeps the spam off of Reddit. Don't you think spamming useless links all over the place is kind of ridiculous? They should take it a step further and start blocking IP's.
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      • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
        Originally Posted by Kingfish85 View Post

        Lol. It keeps the spam off of Reddit. Don't you think spamming useless links all over the place is kind of ridiculous? They should take it a step further and start blocking IP's.
        It doesn't matter to them.

        You can have the best content pieces ever created in creation and if they find out they're yours, they get marked as spam and you get ghosted lol

        Reddit is great for traffic, but run by d-bags
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        • Profile picture of the author Kingfish85
          Originally Posted by jasondinner View Post

          You can have the best content pieces ever created in creation and if they find out they're yours, they get marked as spam and you get ghosted lol
          And what are you submitting? Most likely, just like every other user in this thread complaining, it IS SPAM.
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          • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
            Originally Posted by Kingfish85 View Post

            And what are you submitting? Most likely, just like every other user in this thread complaining, it IS SPAM.
            How would you know. Were you the moderator in the subreddits I was engaging in?

            You're just making assumptions based on nothing at all.
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        • Profile picture of the author DubDubDubDot
          Originally Posted by jasondinner View Post

          Reddit is great for traffic, but run by d-bags
          I'd be a d-bag also if countless internet marketers were trying to hijack my site. Wouldn't you?
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          • Profile picture of the author Kingfish85
            Originally Posted by DubDubDubDot View Post

            I'd be a d-bag also if countless internet marketers were trying to hijack my site. Wouldn't you?
            But its not even "marketing", its "spamming". Trying to justify link spamming as marketing is what's ridiculous.
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            • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
              Originally Posted by Kingfish85 View Post

              But its not even "marketing", its "spamming". Trying to justify link spamming as marketing is what's ridiculous.
              How is sharing a quality content piece from an authority site spamming?

              Maybe I'm missing something.

              So you can share links from all over the web because you think its something the community would get value out of, but if its your own content from your own website, it's spam?

              That is the dumbest shit I ever heard of.

              I'm way past all of that now, but since we're on the subject I figured I would share my thoughts.

              I'm not a spammer. I've built up a large community of passionate people and I wanted to tap Reddit as a traffic source to pull more people into my community.
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  • Profile picture of the author ValentinCavelier
    Thanks for the advice.

    I think this rule is true for all social medias. I read something quite similar about stumble upon

    Anyway, you have more likely to be more successful with your own links if you bring good content too other and not just yours.

    "Give before you ask"
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  • Profile picture of the author Iq187
    Thnx checked out ok.
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  • Profile picture of the author Devin2290
    Once you get "shadow banned", can it be undone over time?
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  • Profile picture of the author morbd
    Thanks for sharing this tool with us. I click the tool and check my account. The tool showed me, My account was Shadow banned. My reddit username is morbd. Could you tell me That it is right after your checking? Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author IndianBabe
    what is Reddit?
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    • Profile picture of the author Tibi Selejan
      Originally Posted by IndianBabe View Post

      what is Reddit?
      Funny one!
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  • Profile picture of the author mikasse
    Thank u
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  • Profile picture of the author impoorvi
    Today only I am banned from posting in one of the subreddit. They have very strict rules. Just got one line explanation "This subreddit is not for promotion".
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  • Profile picture of the author kamalgoyal
    Thanks for sharing. I was not aware of this
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  • Profile picture of the author deborahdawui
    Great info. This is something every Redditor should know. If you are creating an account, it's best to first participate in Reddit, commenting and so on, before you start posting links. I make it a rule to post only one link to my website once a week or two.

    A creative way of getting users to your website is to simply reply to their posts and attribute the answer to your website. And like someone pointed out, don't use a username that is similar to your website.
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  • Profile picture of the author Wolster
    Thanks for the nod, I would probably be shadow banned within the next few days otherwise.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheFury
      how long did it take you guys to be banned? I am active on reddit, I post a link once every few days, pretty much always to my site though. I am very active in the comments etc. People upvote my stuff a lot and I am definitely not 'spamming' but I do link to 1 source a bit.
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  • Thanks for the warning it really helps us to be more aware in posting our site to Reddit.
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  • Profile picture of the author jllagu01
    Well, my username is safe but I think in the past they removed my link bec. it was routed to my website. So follow their advice and just use it for its sole purpose-- to share opinions and provide some relevant contents. If you want to promote your website, just go somewhere else.
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  • Profile picture of the author VivekThakur
    Just check your profile link without login if it is not appear means your are banned.
    if it appear then good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author DURABLEOILCOM
    How can you safely use reddit to promote effectively?
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  • Profile picture of the author jhphotographer
    I am pretty sure that this happened to me and now i know.
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  • Profile picture of the author parallax1978
    Reddit is useless for promoting links (and in general) I have submitted my own links before with no malevolent intent thinking that my content would spur good discussion and I would get hundreds of upvotes... but a few people would complain calling it blogspam and I would get banned for it (despite the fact that there were like 4 complaints as opposed to hundreds of upvotes). Reddit is probably the most obnoxious community of people on the internet and it is useless for discussion, let alone promotion.
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  • Profile picture of the author ScottMickelson
    The users of Reddit are incredibly savvy to people attempting to market to them. If you attempt promotion through this community, be up front about it and make sure you're offering something of actual use.
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  • Profile picture of the author strongvpn
    I often submit picture (with watermark) from Imgur URL, so there is a problem?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mormo
      I got ghosted a long time ago.

      Still gonna use reddit to mine for content.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dynamo88
    Can confirm this has happened to me, changing around your IP if you have a dynamic IP can help.
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