TL;DR

• When doing Reddit marketing, the most crucial thing to keep in mind is to not use a new account to engage on subreddits for promoting your product.
• It’s essential to first build a personalized profile - with a real username, avatar, and bio - so you don’t appear like a bot or spammer.
• Focus on sharing insights and adding value before mentioning your product, and always make sure you’re following the specific rules of each subreddit you engage in.

As a B2B SaaS startup, building a presence on Reddit can be one of the smartest moves you make, not just to get visibility but to actually connect with your target users, understand their pain points, and gather real, unfiltered feedback from early adopters or current customers.

Naturally, at some point in this process, your end goal is to promote your product. However, you must know that Reddit isn't like other social platforms. You can't just drop in, share a few links, and expect traction. Reddit has its own culture, and its moderators are quick to shut down anything that feels even slightly promotional or inauthentic.

Our team of Reddit marketers has been helping B2B SaaS customers use the platform to engage organically, build trust, and subtly drive product awareness. In this article, I'll walk you through all the essential Dos and Don'ts of Reddit marketing that you should consider while utilizing the platform for product promotion. Let's start with the Don'ts first so you don't end up doing more harm than good.

Don'ts of Reddit Marketing

When planning to use Reddit for marketing, it's crucial to avoid things that might get your account banned or showcase your engagement as a promotional tactic. Here are the major "Don'ts" for B2B SaaS marketers on Reddit:

1. Don't Start Promoting Your Product With a Brand-New Account

Let's say you have created a Reddit account to promote your AI tool that helps developers translate SDKs across different programming languages. You find a few relevant subreddits where your target users are active, jump into some threads, and start pitching your product.

Sounds like a good idea, right? Unfortunately, not on Reddit.

Chances are, your account will get flagged and potentially shadowbanned (where your activity is invisible to others, except you). Why? Because a new account with little to no Post or Comment Karma looks suspicious, especially when it jumps straight into self-promotion. To Reddit's moderation bots and human moderators, this signals that you're not there to contribute meaningfully, but just to promote.

Reddit thrives on authentic conversations. Communities value genuine discussions, shared experiences, and organic feedback, not the obvious marketing tactics.

Karma is a point-based reputation system that reflects how much the community values your contributions. You earn karma in two main ways:
Post Karma - When people upvote your submitted posts.
Comment Karma - When people upvote your replies and comments on other posts.
Total Karma - When both Post Karma and Comment Karma are coupled together.

2. Don't Ignore Subreddit Rules or the Moderators

Every subreddit has its own set of rules (often listed in the sidebar or "About" section), and you must read and respect them before posting. Reddit has two layers of moderation: automated moderation (bots and filters that the platform or subreddit mods set up) and human moderation (the subreddit's volunteer moderators).

For example, you can see the r/devops subreddit's moderators' profiles and rules, such as not sharing personal information and not spamming promotional content, even though they don't mind it, but it shouldn't be the sole purpose to join this subreddit.

If you violate the community guidelines, your posts or comments will be removed, even if you have an established account, and you may receive a warning or ban. For example, a user once had their comment removed in the r/OutOfTheLoop subreddit simply because it didn't follow that community's specific posting guidelines, starting the comment with "Answer:".

The AutoModerator deleted it to enforce the rules. This shows how seriously Reddit communities take their rules. Therefore, always read the rules of the subreddit before you engage, and when in doubt, ask a moderator for guidance.

3. Don't Come Across As Overly Promotional or "Salesy"

Reddit users are quick to spot anything that feels like a sales pitch, and they don't react kindly to it. The community values authenticity and gets easily turned off by posts or comments that seem promotional, leading to receiving downvotes (negative karma), getting comments deleted, or even getting banned. For example, a user promoted Gemini out of nowhere on a comparison post about Claude Code and Cursor.

Not only was this comment blatantly promotional, but it also had no structure. To understand how he should have commented with promotional intent, read the point under Dos of Reddit Marketing.

Additionally, instead of selling, focus on advocating for your product seamlessly. Share insights, offer solutions, and mention your product only when it's truly relevant and always with transparency. Aim to be helpful first. When your contributions are thoughtful and community-focused, any mention of your product will feel natural rather than forced. That's the key to earning trust and eventually, interest.

4. Avoid Adding Links to Your Product Without Context

Not all subreddit moderators allow citing links in your comments or posts. Some flag them off, and some approve only if they have context and are not done consecutively. Dropping links to your website or signup page in every post or comment leads to downvotes, getting flagged, or being banned.

Only include a link when it truly adds value or is necessary to support a point, for instance, linking to a relevant resource or a source that was asked about. Even then, it's wise to disclose your affiliation ("Disclosure: I work for the company behind this tool, here's a link if you want to check it out.”) if you're linking to your own product.

For instance, on a post on r/SaaS, the commenter shares actionable tips while naturally introducing their role as a Growth Marketer at Infrasity, highlighting that they are sharing marketing tips from experience. By offering relevant advice and including a contextual link, they position their company with credibility and authority, without coming off as pushy or salesy.

By being transparent and sparing with links, you signal that you're there to participate in the community, not just drive traffic to your site. Remember, a conversational mention of your product (without a link) can often be more effective than a promotional link drop. If the subreddit explicitly forbids promotional links, do not include them at all.

5. Avoid Using the Same Answer for Every Post

C'mon! Don't be lazy enough to use the same comment for every subreddit post. If you do so, Reddit's automoderators are quick to flag repetitive content as spam, especially if it includes any form of promotion.

Even if your answer is relevant, posting the exact same version everywhere signals that you're not genuinely engaging; you're just broadcasting. This can lead to your comments being deleted, or worse, your account getting shadowbanned.

Take the time to read each post carefully and respond in a way that adds unique value to that specific conversation. A thoughtful, tailored comment will always earn more respect (and upvotes) than a recycled one.

How To Find Out You Are Shadow Banned?

You won't get a notification if you are shadowbanned. However, there are some clues that can help you identify that you have been sent to the deepest trenches of Reddit.

1. Your Avatar Disappears

On Reddit's interface (especially on the website), you normally see your avatar at the top right when logged in. If you've been shadowbanned, you may notice that your profile picture or Avatar is no longer visible there. It might or might not appear as a default icon.

2. Error Messages When Viewing Your Own Profile

Click on your username or profile. If you get a message saying "We had a server error," it indicates that you have been shadowbanned. For instance, this shadowbanned account has no Avatar, and the error message also pops up.

3. Your Posts/Comments Are Invisible to Others

An easy test is to log out or use a private/incognito browser window, then try to view a post or comment you made. If you can't find it anywhere, it likely means your comments and posts are invisible to others.

4. Suspension Messages Upon Logging Out

Some users report that when they try to log out of a shadowbanned account, they see a notice like "Your account has been suspended," even though they can log back in. This is a pretty strong indicator of a shadow ban.

5. The Ban Appeal Test

If you are still not sure, do a quick ban appeal test. Reddit has an official ban appeal form that you can find by going to their website. Typically, if your account is actually banned, you'll be able to use the appeal process to ask for a review. For example, here you can see that the user wrote an appeal to Reddit for account suspension.

If your account was not banned, you won't get the option to appeal because there's nothing to appeal; indicating that you are not shadowbanned.

So, you can check if your Reddit account has been shadowbanned in these five ways, including whether your Avatar, posts, and comments are still visible, if an error message appears, or if you can send an appeal.

Dos of Reddit Marketing

Now that we've covered what not to do, let's focus on the positive steps you should take to succeed in Reddit marketing as a B2B SaaS startup. These best practices will help you build credibility with the Reddit community while seamlessly discussing your product with users.

1. Personalize and Humanize Your Reddit Account

Redditors prefer to interact with people, not faceless brand logos. If possible, avoid using a throwaway account that looks brand new or an account that is blatantly just your company name with no personality. Choose a username that's professional but not purely promotional (for example, using your name or a variation of it, perhaps with your company name subtly included). Set a Reddit Avatar and add a banner image to make your profile look active. Fill out your bio with one or two lines about who you are or what you gonna do in there.

For instance, this Reddit user has set up an Avatar, banner image, and mentioned what they are going to do on the platform. This profile customization builds authenticity. A completed, personable profile is more likely to be trusted by other users and not immediately dismissed as a spammer or bot. It shows that behind the account, there's a real person who genuinely participates on Reddit.

2. Create a Buffer, Don't Make Every Post About Your Product

In Reddit, Karma (both Post Karma and Comment Karma) is essentially your reputation score. High karma indicates that your contributions have been appreciated by the community over time. Especially for a new account, it's important to build up some karma organically before you start talking about your own product.  You can do this by engaging in discussions on popular subreddits relevant to your industry (or even general-interest subs to start). Offer helpful comments, answer questions, and contribute to conversations without any self-promotion. This activity will earn you Upvotes and Karma points.

Also, be responsive: if people comment on your post or reply to your comments, write back promptly and thoughtfully. Quick, ongoing interaction can lead to more upvotes (as people appreciate an active conversation) and will increase your comment karma. Not only does a higher karma count unlock certain posting privileges on some subreddits, it also signals trustworthiness - both to the community and to Reddit's algorithms.

For example, a user posted on a subreddit r/AI_Agents, where they shared that they built an AI-powered research agent using n8n, OpenAI, Reddit, and Hacker News to help uncover why products in a given niche fail.

They received a comment, to which they replied instantly, building more engagement. In short, karma is "social proof" that you're a legitimate and contributing member of Reddit. Therefore, aim for at least a few hundred karma points and a couple of weeks of normal activity before you start your Reddit marketing thoroughly.

3. Provide Value Before Pitching

Start by observing what your target audience is talking about. One of the most effective ways to market on Reddit is to not sound like you're marketing at all. Redditors don't really appreciate salesy content, but they welcome genuine advice and thoughtful contributions. That's why your focus should always be on solving problems first - and letting any product mention come naturally from there.

Start by observing. Spend time in subreddits where your target audience hangs out - like r/SaaS, r/IT, r/analytics, or other niche communities. Look for threads where users are discussing challenges your product is built to solve. When the opportunity arises, jump in like a peer offering support - not like a brand pitching a solution.

For example, let's say someone posts:
Looking for non-ChatGPT AI tools that are useful in enterprise workflows. Any suggestions for the budget?

Instead of diving straight into a pitch, a well-structured comment would include:

1. A Quirky Opener to Build Trust
   "Enterprise AI right now reminds me of the early IoT wave - everyone was hyped, but only a few got real value without drowning in complexity."

This kind of opener hooks readers with a relatable, insightful comparison and signals that you know the space well.

2. A Soft Mention of the Tool You're Promoting
   "I see huge potential in DevOps and engineering support when they use [your tool]. It's like an AI-powered internal assistant in Slack/Teams that can create tickets, check deployments, pull logs, etc."

You're not forcing a pitch - just showing how your tool fits the need, in a helpful, context-aware way.

3. Address Minor Points or Concerns (like Budget)
   "You've mentioned budget - honestly, it's not a huge lift. You can start small, see how it fits into your workflow, and scale from there."

This tones down sales pressure and frames your product as low-risk and testable.

4. Open the Door for More Engagement
   "Would love to hear if anyone else has had success outside the usual ChatGPT clones."

This keeps the conversation going, inviting others to join in - which increases visibility and makes your post feel collaborative, not transactional.

This kind of structured, conversational response builds credibility, delivers real value, and positions your product in an organic way. Over time, it helps you become a trusted voice in the community.

4. Create a Buffer, Don't Make Every Post About Your Product

To succeed on Reddit, consistency and authenticity are key. If your posting history is entirely self-promotional (nothing but links to your blog, announcements of your product, and answers that always mention your software), people will notice and you'll lose credibility fast, and even Reddit moderators will find you spammy.

Ensure that the vast majority of your interactions are NOT about your product. Share industry news, comment on others' posts, participate in fun threads on unrelated subreddits, and so on. This creates a buffer of genuine activity that shows you're on Reddit to be part of the community, not just to use it for promotional purposes.

5. Strive To Become a Valued Contributor and Earn Achievements

The more you contribute meaningfully, the more you'll stand out in a positive way. Reddit actually recognizes users who engage a lot and gives them Achievements. For example, you might get these achievements for your contribution on Reddit. Here, Nice Post was received because of getting 10 Upvotes on the Post.

These achievements, especially achievements like Top 1% Commenter, give you more credibility and help in highlighting your comment among all the comments. For example, in this snapshot of the comment section, your attention must be drawn toward the commenter with the "Top 1% Commenter" achievement.

How do you get there? Consistency and quality. Try to consistently be one of the people who answer questions in your domain, welcome newcomers, or provide insightful analysis on topics in your industry. Over time, people will recognize your username.

This kind of reputation means that when you eventually introduce your solution for SaaS users, users are more likely to listen because you've proven yourself knowledgeable and not just self-interested.

6. Leverage User Flair

Many subreddits offer a user flair, a little tag next to your username, which can be used to identify yourself. What you need to do is go to a subreddit - let's say the DevOps subreddit. Click on User Flair, and you'll see options like Devops, System Engineer, and Editable Placeholder Flair.

This kind of flair provides transparency: readers immediately know your affiliation. It can actually help you, because you're being upfront (Redditors appreciate honesty), and it can draw positive attention to your comments (people might notice the flair and see you as an authority, if used appropriately).

Conclusion

Leveraging Reddit marketing for promoting your product to your target audience is a lucrative practice when done right. In this article, we've covered the most essential Do's and Don'ts of Reddit marketing that every B2B SaaS team should know.

For example, avoid sounding overly promotional, always follow subreddit-specific rules, and be cautious of getting shadowbanned. Make sure your account looks real and personalized (not bot-like), and take the time to build up Karma so your contributions carry weight and credibility. Most importantly, diversify your activity. Don't just show up to pitch - engage in meaningful conversations, share insights, and create a buffer of helpful, non-promotional posts that position you as part of the community rather than a marketer.

These lessons come from real-world experience and if you ever feel stuck or want a strategic partner to help you with Reddit marketing services, book a demo with Infrasity. We specialize in helping B2B SaaS companies grow through authentic Reddit engagement.

FAQs

1. What Is Reddit Marketing?

Reddit marketing involves engaging with relevant communities (subreddits) to build awareness, share insights, and organically promote your product or service - without sounding salesy.

2. How To Promote on Reddit?

Start by first providing value to the community - participate in discussions, share helpful insights, and only mention your product when it's relevant, contextual, and aligned with subreddit rules.

3. Why Won't Reddit Let Me Post?

You may be restricted due to low Karma, a new account, or violating subreddit rules. Some subreddits also require account age or moderator approval before posting.

4. What Are the Cons of Using Reddit for Marketing?

Reddit has a strong anti-promotion culture, meaning overly salesy posts can be downvoted, removed, or lead to shadowbans. It requires time, authenticity, and community-first engagement when using Reddit for marketing.