How to Get a Reddit Post Removed When Someone Else Posted It
If you are trying to figure out how to get a Reddit post removed because someone else published harmful, misleading or privacy-sensitive content about you or your business, the process is different from deleting something you posted yourself.
You cannot simply log in and delete another user’s Reddit post. Instead, the available options depend on the content, the subreddit where it appears, the rules that may apply and the wider circumstances of the situation.
This guide explains the main routes you can consider, what happens when you report a Reddit post, when moderators may be relevant and what to do if the content continues to cause a problem.
Important: Removal is not automatic or guaranteed. Each situation needs to be considered individually.
Can You Delete a Reddit Post Someone Else Made?
No. Reddit’s normal deletion controls are available to the person who created the post. Reddit’s own instructions for deleting a post tell users to navigate to the posts they have made and select Delete from the post menu.
That distinction matters.
If you created the post yourself, deletion is relatively straightforward.
If someone else created it, you need to look at other options, such as:
- asking the author to remove or correct it when appropriate;
- checking whether it violates subreddit rules;
- checking whether it may violate Reddit’s sitewide rules;
- reporting the specific post;
- contacting the moderators of the relevant community;
- seeking additional help when the situation is more complex.
The right route depends on what was actually published and why you believe it should be removed.
How to Get a Reddit Post Removed: 5 Options to Consider
There is no single removal method that works for every post. Before taking action, save the URL and identify exactly which parts of the content are causing concern.
Then consider the following options.
1. Ask the Author to Remove or Correct the Post When Appropriate
In some situations, the simplest option may be contacting the person who published the post and asking whether they are willing to remove or correct it.
This is not appropriate in every case.
If the content involves harassment, threats, repeated targeting or a situation where direct contact could make matters worse, contacting the author may not be the best starting point.
But where the issue appears to result from a misunderstanding, outdated information or something that can reasonably be corrected, a calm request may be worth considering.
Keep expectations realistic: the author is not required to agree simply because you object to the post.
2. Check the Subreddit Rules and Reddit’s Sitewide Rules
Reddit operates at two levels.
Individual communities can establish their own rules, which are enforced by their moderators. Reddit also has platform-wide rules that apply across the site and are enforced by Reddit administrators.
Before submitting a report, identify whether the problem relates to:
- a specific subreddit rule;
- harassment or threats;
- disclosure of personal or confidential information;
- deceptive impersonation;
- illegal or prohibited content;
- another sitewide rule.
Reddit’s rules specifically address areas such as harassment, privacy, impersonation and illegal content, among other platform-wide concerns.
A post being negative, critical or embarrassing does not automatically mean it violates a rule. The specific content and context matter.
3. Report the Specific Reddit Post
If you believe the post may violate Reddit’s rules or the rules of the community, use Reddit’s reporting tools on the specific post.
Reddit’s current guidance says that reporting the particular post or comment is the best way to flag something you believe may violate Reddit Rules or community rules. On reddit.com and in the app, the report option is available from the post’s overflow menu. Reddit’s official reporting guidance
When reporting:
- select the option that most accurately reflects the issue;
- focus on the content that may violate the relevant rule;
- report specific related comments separately when necessary;
- avoid choosing a category simply because it sounds more serious.
A report is a request for review, not a guarantee that the post will be removed.
4. Contact the Subreddit Moderators
If the problem relates to the rules of a particular subreddit, its moderators may also be relevant.
Reddit recommends contacting community moderators through mod mail rather than sending individual moderators direct chat messages. Reddit’s guidance also recommends providing a clear, concise description and the details needed to understand the issue.
When contacting moderators, keep the message focused.
Useful information may include:
- the direct URL;
- the community rule you believe applies;
- the specific part of the post causing concern;
- a short explanation of the issue;
- relevant context that is not obvious from the post itself.
Avoid sending an extremely long message if a few clear sentences can explain the problem.
Remember that community moderators and Reddit administrators have different roles. A subreddit moderator may act under that community’s rules, while sitewide Reddit Rules apply across the platform.
5. Consider a Professional Review When the Situation Is More Complex
Some situations are straightforward. Others involve several posts, a full discussion, multiple comments, privacy concerns or content that is already appearing prominently in search results.
If you are unsure which route fits the situation, a professional review can help separate the problem into the relevant parts.
For example, the issue may actually involve:
- one original Reddit post;
- a wider Reddit thread; (Reddit thread removal)
- one or more harmful comments;
- repeated harassment;
- content appearing in Google Search;
- several URLs rather than one isolated post.
If you need help evaluating a specific post, learn more about our Reddit post removal service and how we review each case individually.
What Happens When You Report a Reddit Post?
A common question is what happens when you report a Reddit post.
Submitting a report does not instantly delete the content.
The report gives Reddit or the relevant moderation system information that can be reviewed against applicable rules. Reddit states that reporting specific content is how users can flag potential violations.
The outcome therefore depends on issues such as:
- what was posted;
- which rule may apply;
- whether the report concerns sitewide or community rules;
- the surrounding context;
- the result of the review.
Reddit’s enforcement options can include content removal and account or community restrictions, but the appropriate response depends on the violation.
The important point is simple:
reporting starts a review; it does not guarantee removal.
What Types of Reddit Content May Raise Policy Concerns?
The exact rules matter more than whether content is simply negative.
Examples of issues covered by Reddit’s current sitewide rules include:
Harassment, Bullying or Threats
Reddit’s rules prohibit harassment, bullying and threats of violence.
If the problem involves repeated harmful behavior rather than a single isolated statement, the situation may also overlap with a broader harassment issue.
Personal or Confidential Information
Reddit’s privacy rule prohibits conduct such as revealing someone’s personal or confidential information in ways that can instigate harassment.
Context matters, so avoid assuming that every reference to a person automatically constitutes a privacy violation.
Deceptive Impersonation
Reddit’s sitewide rules also prohibit intentionally misleading others by impersonating an individual or entity deceptively.
Illegal or Prohibited Content
Reddit prohibits illegal content and certain prohibited transactions.
If your situation could involve legal rights or obligations, consider obtaining appropriate professional legal advice rather than relying solely on a general online guide.
This article provides general information, not legal advice.
What If the Reddit Post Does Not Violate a Rule?
This is one of the most important limitations to understand.
A post can be:
- negative;
- unfair;
- critical;
- unpleasant;
- damaging to your reputation;
without necessarily violating Reddit’s rules or the rules of the subreddit.
If no relevant rule applies, reporting the post does not create an automatic right to have it removed.
Other options may still be worth evaluating depending on the situation, such as:
- whether the author is willing to remove or correct it;
- whether the broader thread contains separate rule violations;
- whether individual comments create different concerns;
- whether search visibility has become the larger problem;
- whether a case-specific professional review would help clarify the options.
This is why the first question should not simply be:
“How do I make Reddit delete this?”
A better question is:
“What exactly is wrong with this content, and which available route actually applies?”
What If the Reddit Post Is Showing in Google?
Removing content from Reddit and removing or updating a Reddit result in Google Search are not the same thing.
A post may appear in Google even though your immediate concern started on Reddit. And changes at the original source are not always reflected instantly in search results.
We cover that issue separately because it has a different search intent and different steps.
If search visibility is part of the problem, read our guide on how to remove a Reddit post from Google Search results to understand the difference between source removal and search visibility.
