How to Post on Reddit (Computer and App)

Posting on Reddit looks easy until you try it. You write something, hit the button, and either nothing happens or your post vanishes within minutes. Most of the time the cause is the community's rules rather than anything you did wrong.

Here's how Reddit's help centre says to make a post on a computer and on your phone, plus the bits that catch beginners out: eligibility rules, flair, post types and Post Check.

Choosing the right Reddit community before you post

Reddit's help starts here, and so do I. Every post lives inside a community, and each one has its own rules. You'll find them in the sidebar on desktop, or under the About tab in the app. Reading them takes two minutes and saves you a removed post.

• Check what the community is for, and whether your topic fits.
• Look for rules on self-promotion, links and titles.
• Skim a few recent posts to see what does well there.
• Note whether it asks for flair on every post.

Making a post on Reddit from a computer

1. Log in to Reddit in your browser.
2. Go to the community you've chosen, or use the Create button at the top right.
3. If you're inside a community, you can use Create a post there instead.
4. Pick a post type: text, link, image, video or AMA, as the community allows.
5. Write a clear, descriptive title, then add your body text, link or media.
6. Add flair if the community requires it, and tick NSFW or spoiler if they apply.
7. Click Post.

Making a post in the Reddit app on iPhone or Android

1. Open the Reddit app and tap the Create icon. On Android it sits at the bottom of the screen, and on iOS at the top right.
2. Choose the community you want to post in.
3. Select the post type, then add your title and content.
4. Add flair if the community needs it.
5. Tap Post.

Menus vary a little by app version, so the labels may differ slightly on your screen.

Reddit post types and which one to pick

Reddit's help lists link, image, video and AMA among the options, and notes that some communities restrict which types they allow. If the type you want is greyed out or missing, that's usually the reason.

Post type	Good for
Text	Questions, stories and detailed explanations
Link	Sharing an article, when the community allows links
Image	Screenshots, charts and photos
Video	Short demos or clips
AMA	Answering questions from the community about yourself

Why you can't post on Reddit yet

The most common reason is eligibility. Reddit's Poster Eligibility Guide says you can't post in a community until its minimum criteria are met, such as karma or account age. Reddit also limits how often newer accounts can post, so a rush of posts from a brand-new account can hit a wall.

If you're blocked, build up some history by commenting helpfully first, then try again. A post that follows the rules is far less likely to be removed than one rushed out on day one.

Using Post Check and flair when you make a Reddit post

Reddit's Post Check highlights possible rule breaks and suggests changes before you submit. It doesn't stop you posting, so treat it as a second pair of eyes.

Flair is a label that some communities require. Reddit's Post Flair article explains it's chosen as part of submitting the post, so if you're asked for it, pick the closest match rather than skipping it.

Writing a Reddit post people respond to

A good title does most of the work. Reddit's guidance is to keep it descriptive, so say what the post is about in plain words. Then write for the people in that community, not for yourself. Reddiquette, Reddit's page on good manners, is worth reading once.

• Lead with the useful part, not a sales pitch.
• Answer your own question as far as you can, then ask for what's missing.
• Be honest about who you are if you're mentioning your business.
• Reply to comments, because that keeps the post alive.

Timing matters less than relevance. A post that suits the community will find readers whenever you submit it, while one that breaks the rules will be removed whatever time you press the button. Spend your effort on the title and the first few lines, because that's what people see in the feed before they decide to click.

Posting on Reddit for a small business or creator

If you're posting to attract customers, patience matters more than speed. Communities spot self-promotion quickly, and they don't like it. My step-by-step Reddit lead generation guide walks through a gentler way in, and this piece on building a brand on Reddit shows what long-term success looks like.

If your Reddit post disappears or won't submit

Check three things in order: whether the community's rules ban what you posted, whether you meet its minimum criteria, and whether it needs flair. If all three look fine, wait and try again later, since Reddit limits how often newer accounts can post. When it still fails, ask the community's moderators politely, or use Reddit's help centre.

Frequently asked questions

How do I post on Reddit?

Pick a community, use the Create button on desktop or the Create icon in the app, choose a post type, add a title and content, add flair if needed, then click or tap Post.

Why can't I post on Reddit?

Reddit's Poster Eligibility Guide says you can't post until a community's minimum criteria, such as karma or account age, are met. New accounts also face posting limits.

What types of posts can I make on Reddit?

Reddit's help lists link, image, video and AMA among the options, but some communities restrict which types they accept.

What is Post Check on Reddit?

It highlights possible rule breaks and suggests changes before you post. Reddit says it won't stop you from posting.

Is flair required on Reddit?

Only if the community requires it. Where it does, pick the flair as part of submitting the post.