Reddit Warning

by 59 replies
69
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.
#social media #reddit #warning
  • Thanks for the headsup. I use Reddit a lot
  • Nice. One of my accounts was shadow banned. Had no idea!
  • That happened to me in my first few days of using Reddit.

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

    Don't use Reddit for backlining purpose.
  • 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.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • 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 .
  • Oh, that's very good share, I didn't knew it before. but now need to be carefull
    thanks alot.
  • 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!!!
    • [1] reply
    • 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
  • 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.
  • Wow, I've used reddit a lot but never knew shadowbanning was possible...thanks for the heads up.
    • [1] reply
    • 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.
  • Whoa. This is the first I've heard of this. Luckily I'm in the clear.

    Thank you OP for sharing!
  • Stop submitting SPAM & junk: Problem solved.

    Most of those "submitting" links as you say, aren't submitting content worth reading, they're spamming.
    • [1] reply
    • 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.
  • Wow I didn't know about this shadow ban thing ! Thanks for the share.
  • 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.
    • [1] reply
    • To summarize

      Step 1. Be Intelligent
      Step 2. Don't be Unintelligent.
  • Thanks for sharing this app with us .

    I just check mine and found shadow banned.

    (
  • Ha ha.. I've been shadowbanned.. LMAO.. My day is ruined!!!
  • 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.
  • Glad this helped you all!
  • What this tool is doing? I have checked it but it did not told anything.
  • 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.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • 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!
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • 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.
  • ok so crazy.. I was just thinking.. man I don't have a reddit acct yet.. what am I missin!
  • 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.
  • 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...
    • [1] reply
    • 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.
      • [1] reply
  • 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"
  • Thnx checked out ok.
  • Once you get "shadow banned", can it be undone over time?
  • 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.
  • what is Reddit?
    • [1] reply
  • Thank u
  • 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".
  • Thanks for sharing. I was not aware of this
  • 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.
  • Thanks for the nod, I would probably be shadow banned within the next few days otherwise.
    • [1] reply
    • 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.
  • Thanks for the warning it really helps us to be more aware in posting our site to Reddit.
  • 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.
  • Just check your profile link without login if it is not appear means your are banned.
    if it appear then good luck.
  • How can you safely use reddit to promote effectively?
  • I am pretty sure that this happened to me and now i know.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • I often submit picture (with watermark) from Imgur URL, so there is a problem?
    • [1] reply
    • I got ghosted a long time ago.

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