How to Delete a Subreddit for Reputation Management
Reddit can be a valuable platform for individuals and brands due to its community-driven nature and unfiltered opinions. However, one nasty comment, post, or subreddit from someone can significantly damage your reputation.
Sometimes, old negative Reddit content about a person or brand can resurface on search engine results pages (SERPs). This guide will help you learn how to delete a subreddit posted by someone else hurting your online reputation.
Why Subreddits Are More Prominent in Google Search Results
You may have noticed Reddit content ranking higher in Google search results lately. If so, it’s no accident. This increase in Reddit content is mainly due to Google’s August 2024 core update. Rather than content merely for SEO performance, this update prioritizes content users genuinely find helpful and engaging.
And if the system did not take care of the bad review, follow the methods below.
- Original Content: Users share authentic stories and experiences on Reddit. This is exactly the kind of useful and human-like content favored by the new core update. Unlike overly optimized webpages, Google prefers Reddit’s raw, unfiltered discussions.
- Community Validation: It’s not uncommon for Reddit threads to feature hundreds of comments and Google’s new core update prefers this kind of active, community-driven engagement. As a result, Reddit posts with active discussions are now dominating SERPs instead of static content like blog posts.
Since the new Google core update favors authentic platforms like Reddit, it’s a potential nightmare for brands and individuals. Why? Because the algorithm may resurface Reddit content that was previously buried deep under Google search results.
For brands, this can mean old negative reviews or complaints may rank higher on SERPs, potentially damaging trust with clients and bringing sales down.
For individuals, harmful subreddit content, including unkind comments and defamatory posts, may appear at the top of search results. Not only can they damage a person’s reputation, but they can also ruin potential career prospects.
How to Delete or Request the Removal of a Subreddit
Before you delete a subreddit, you need to know who controls it and what steps you can take. Let’s discuss this in detail.
Understanding Subreddit Ownership
Subreddits, the communities where Reddit thrives, are created and managed by moderators (mods). These mods are usually volunteers who can:
- Manage content within a subreddit.
- Ban users who violate subreddit rules.
- Set the subreddit to private or restrict access.
However, mods can’t completely delete a subreddit. Only Reddit admins can do so, but only if the particular subreddit violates Reddit’s content policies. This includes hate speech or any illegal activity.
Steps for How to Delete a Subreddit (for Moderators)
As a moderator, you can’t permanently delete a subreddit, but you can make it inactive by following these steps:
1. Set the Subreddit to Private:
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- First, go to “Mod Tools” and choose the “Community Settings” option.
- Then, change the community type to “Private.” This will restrict access to only approved members, indirectly shutting down public participation.
2. Abandon Moderation:
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- In the “Moderator” settings, remove yourself as a moderator.
- Without any moderation, the subreddit may become inactive over time.
Requesting Subreddit Removal (for Users or Brands)
You’re not powerless if you come across a negative subreddit that’s harming your reputation. Here’s how you can take action.
1. Report the Subreddit:
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- Visit the subreddit and click on “Report.”
- Next, give details on why this subreddit goes against Reddit policies.
2. Contact Reddit Administrators:
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- Submit a formal request via the Reddit Help Center.
- Back up your claim with solid evidence, including screenshots, direct links, or other supporting proof.
Reddit Removal Service
Is a negative post or comment on Reddit hurting your reputation? Allow our ORM experts at Maximatic Media to remove it for you!
How to Remove Negative Reddit Posts
If a specific Reddit post damages your reputation, here’s how you can take control of the situation.
Direct Removal by Authors
If the problematic post is something you created, you’re in luck; it’s fairly simple to delete.
1. Once you’ve logged in to Reddit, access your profile.
2. Click on the “Posts” tab. Then, scroll or search until you locate the post you want gone.
3. Click on the three dots and choose “Delete.”
Keep in mind: Even if you delete a post, remnants of it may still appear in cached versions, archives, or screenshots.
Reporting Posts to Moderators or Admins
If someone else made the particular post you want removed, you can:
1. Report to Subreddit Moderator: Click “Report” under the post. Choose the reason that most applies to your situation and provide details.
2. Contact Reddit Admins: If the moderators don’t respond or act, you can escalate the matter to Reddit admins through the Help Center.
How to Remove Negative Reddit Comments
When linked to highly visible posts, negative Reddit comments can ruin your sales and reputation. Here’s how you can tackle the situation.
Deleting Your Own Comments
Do you regret a comment you posted on Reddit? Here’s how you can remedy the situation:
1. After logging in to your account, click the “Comments” tab on your profile.
2. Look for the comment you want deleted. Next, click on the three dots and select “Delete.”
Reporting Problematic Comments
You can’t delete a comment made by someone else. Still, you can report it by doing the following:
1. Find the problematic comment and click “Report.”
2. If the mods don’t respond, escalate the matter to Reddit admins. To do so, file an official complaint via the Reddit Help Center.
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Strategies for Reputation Management on Reddit
Reddit’s open forum structure is a powerful tool for shaping public perception. Unfortunately, it can be harmful if negative posts or comments related to you start dominating SERPs.
- Monitor Reddit:
First, create alerts for your name, brand, or any related keywords to your industry. To further track Reddit discussions in real-time, use third-party tools like Mention and Brandwatch. Then, manually look for relevant keywords on Reddit. This can help you find smaller, niche conversations that automated tools might miss. - Engage Positively:
When dealing with negativity, stay professional and empathetic. If a user brings up a legitimate complaint, own up to it. Apologize, explain the situation, and offer solutions. Additionally, share insights and helpful tips to establish your credibility and make a positive impact. - Engage an ORM Agency:
If the damage feels too big to handle alone, seek help from a reputation management service. At Maximatic Media, our team is well-versed in removing negative content from platforms like Reddit. We also use positive SEO-optimized content to bury harmful content that appears on SERPs.
Final Thoughts
With the increase in Reddit content on Google search results, individuals and brands need to know how to delete a subreddit and manage their online reputation. Reporting or deleting negative comments, posts, or subreddits is one way to manage your brand or personal reputation.
If the task seems daunting, it’s always best to employ the help of reputation management services like Maximatic Media. With our expertise, you can protect your online reputation and reduce the damage from harmful content others post.