Working definition
On Reddit, self-promotion is any post or comment where your primary goal is traffic, signups, or attention for something you own.
Risk Guide
What counts as self-promotion on Reddit?
The definition of 'spam' varies by subreddit. This guide breaks down the 9:1 rule, the 'value-first' test, and how to mention your product without triggering a moderator's ban hammer.
Reviewed March 13, 2026
Self-promotion is any post or comment where the primary goal is traffic.
The '9:1 rule' (9 good comments for every 1 promo) is still the standard.
Context matters more than the presence of a link.
Fast answers to the key decision points
Context matters
A link does not automatically make something spam, but a useful comment can still become spam if the product mention is the real point.
Safest behavior
Disclose affiliation, answer the actual question, and keep the product reference as supporting context rather than the headline.
Execution checklist
- Ask yourself: 'Is this useful if they never click the link?'
- Check the 'Self-Promo' flair rules for each target community.
- Draft your link as 'context' rather than a 'call to action'.
Subreddit pages worth checking next
Use these pages when you want community-specific guidance before you draft or post.
r/marketing
Marketing & Advertising
Marketing professionals discussing tactics, channels, attribution, content, testing, and martech tools.
strictlink risk high
r/SaaS
Software As a Service Companies — The Future Of Tech Businesses
SaaS founders and operators sharing lessons, acquisition experiments, pricing questions, and product decisions.
limitedlink risk medium
r/indiehackers
Independent developers building their own way
Bootstrapped founders, indie makers, and solo builders sharing progress, lessons, and product feedback asks.
limitedlink risk medium
r/Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
Broad entrepreneur discussions spanning startups, small business, solo ventures, and tactical business questions.
strictlink risk high
FAQ
Is a link to a blog post self-promotion?
Yes. Even if it's educational, if it's your site, it is self-promotion. Always summarize the key points in the Reddit post itself.
Can I mention my product in a comment?
Yes, but only if it directly answers a specific user's question and you disclose your affiliation.
Does self-promotion only mean posting links?
No. A comment can still be self-promotional if it exists mainly to steer attention toward your product, newsletter, or company.
Is it okay to share a case study about my own product?
Yes, if the case study teaches something useful on its own and does not read like disguised sales copy.
Can moderators remove a post even if it does not break a written rule?
Yes. Moderators often remove posts that feel extractive even when the written rules do not explicitly ban that exact format.
Related guides
Risk Guide
Reddit self-promo rules for founders
A founder-safe guide to Reddit self-promotion rules: where launch posts go wrong, how communities interpret links, and how to reframe your post before it burns trust.
Posting Guide
How to ask for product feedback on Reddit without sounding promotional
Learn how to frame your product feedback requests on Reddit to avoid the 'self-promo' label and get honest founder critiques.