Reddit has grown into one of the most powerful spaces for shaping public opinion online. It isn’t just a site for memes and internet culture anymore. With over a billion visits every month, Reddit works almost like a search engine. People type questions into Google, and often the top answers come straight from Reddit threads.

Google itself has acknowledged through Danny Sullivan, who leads Google’s search communications, explained that searchers often look for forum discussions because they trust real-life experiences. Even though many SEO experts complain about seeing Reddit results so often, Google continues to prioritize them. That means if someone searches your brand, there’s a strong chance a Reddit thread will appear near the top of the results.

This is both an opportunity and a risk. A single negative thread in a subreddit like r/Scams or r/BadBusiness can scare off potential customers for years.

On the other hand, brands that know how to participate in the right communities can build credibility and trust at a massive scale.

This article walks through how Reddit works, what you need to know before posting, and the steps you can take to manage your reputation if your name shows up in the wrong place.

The Basics of Reddit

Reddit calls itself “the front page of the internet,” and for good reason. It is one of the largest online communities in the world, but it works very differently from platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn.

Instead of one big feed, Reddit is divided into thousands of smaller communities called subreddits. Each subreddit is dedicated to a specific topic.

Some are huge and cover broad themes like r/news. Others are very niche, such as r/MechanicalKeyboards or r/HomeImprovement.

SubReddits

Every subreddit has its own culture. What works in one may completely fail in another. Users and volunteer moderators set the rules, and they can remove posts or even ban accounts that don’t follow them.

For a brand, that means you can’t simply copy and paste the same message everywhere. You have to understand the community before joining the conversation.

What makes Reddit stand out is how content rises or falls. There isn’t a hidden algorithm deciding what you see. Instead, users vote.

If people like a post, it gets upvoted and moves to the top of the subreddit. If they don’t, it gets downvoted and disappears from view. This system makes Reddit feel more democratic. The community decides what’s worth reading.

Karma

Another important feature is karma. Karma points are earned when people upvote your posts or comments. They don’t have monetary value, but they signal credibility. A user with years of contributions and tens of thousands of karma points is more likely to be trusted than an account created yesterday. For brands, this matters. A comment from a new account that looks promotional will be ignored or attacked. A contribution from an established user who has built trust will be taken seriously.

Why does all this matter for reputation? Because Reddit is where people share their raw, unfiltered opinions. They don’t follow brands the way they do on Instagram or Twitter. They talk about real experiences. A single complaint in r/Scams or r/BadBusiness can spark a thread that draws in other unhappy customers. At the same time, a thoughtful post that provides solutions or answers questions can stand out in a place where company voices are rare.

Tight Knit Community

Cracker Barrel reversed its logo changed after only a few days after noticable backlash (Mostly from Reddit)

And the impact doesn’t stay on Reddit. Google often pulls these discussions into its search results. A thread on Reddit can rank above your official website when someone searches for your name.

That makes Reddit both a risk and an opportunity. If you leave it alone, you risk losing control of the conversation. If you engage the right way, you can build credibility where people are already paying attention.

How to Remove a Reddit Post From Google

Step 1: Decide What Needs to Happen First — Deletion or Removal From Search

There’s a difference between removing a Reddit post and removing it from Google:

• Removing from Reddit: If you delete the post or comment, it disappears from Reddit itself, but cached versions may remain in Google for a while.
• Removing from Google: Even if the content is gone from Reddit, Google may still show it until it refreshes its index. You’ll need to request an update.

If you only hide or edit the post, it might still appear in search results. Deletion at the source is always the strongest first move.

Step 2: Delete or Report the Reddit Post

• Delete your own post or comment: Log in to your account, click the three dots under your post or comment, and select Delete.
• Ask moderators for help: If someone else posted it, use the “Report” button on the post. Moderators of that subreddit can remove it if it breaks rules.
• Report to Reddit directly: For serious issues like doxxing, harassment, or privacy violations, submit a request through Reddit Help.
• Use privacy rights: Reddit’s Privacy Policy allows you to request removal of personal information under GDPR, CCPA, or similar laws.

Step 3: Remove the Post From Google

Once the Reddit post is deleted or changed, Google still may show it in search results. You can speed up the process:

• Use Google’s “Remove Outdated Content” Tool:
• Visit Google’s Outdated Content Tool. Submit the Reddit URL, and Google will re-crawl it. If the page no longer exists or the text has been updated, the search snippet will be cleared.
• For personal data (like your name, address, or photos):
• Submit a request through Google’s Personal Info Removal Form. Google can remove results that expose sensitive personal information, even if the post still exists.

Step 4: Understand What Google Can and Can’t Do

It’s important to be realistic:

• Google can remove the link from search results, but it can’t delete the content from Reddit itself.
• If the post is legal and doesn’t break Reddit’s rules, Reddit may not take it down. In that case, suppression strategies become important (see Step 6 below).
• Cached pages and archive sites (like the Wayback Machine) may still hold copies. Those often require separate requests to remove.

Step 5: Legal Options for Special Cases

Sometimes, content removal goes beyond simple reporting:

• Copyright violations: If someone copied your content, you can file a DMCA request with Reddit through their Intellectual Property form.
• Serious harassment or threats: Contact Reddit through the safety reporting form. Law enforcement may also be involved if the content is dangerous.

Step 6: Suppress What You Can’t Remove

Even if a Reddit post can’t be taken down, you don’t have to let it dominate your online presence. You can push it lower in Google results by creating stronger, more positive content you control.

That might be a professional profile, a press feature, or fresh blog articles tied to your brand. Over time, those assets can replace the negative thread as the first impression people see when they search your name.

But here’s the trap many brands fall into: trying to jump straight into the hostile thread to defend themselves.

On Reddit, that often makes things worse. The community is skilled at spotting “plants.” A brand-new account with no history, no karma, and corporate-sounding language is a dead giveaway. Even an overly positive defense (“I’ve only ever had amazing experiences with this company!”) can sound scripted and invite ridicule.

Redditors almost always check profiles before trusting a comment, and when they see an account created yesterday that only posts about one business, they call it out immediately.

That’s why suppression works better than confrontation. Instead of pouring energy into arguing in a thread where the deck is stacked against you, focus on replacing the negative with something better.

Publish content you control and optimize it so Google picks it up. Over time, those pieces of content will rise, while the old Reddit post sinks further down.

The goal isn’t to win an argument in the comments. The goal is to shape what people see first.

Step 7: Be Patient

Search results don’t update instantly.

• Google updates automatically every few days to weeks. After filing a removal request, it can take time before you see changes.
• Reddit moderation may also take days to respond. If you’ve filed a privacy request, they legally have up to 30 days to act in some regions.

How to React if Your Brand or Reputation Is Attacked on Reddit

When a negative post about your brand gains traction on Reddit, it can feel overwhelming. Unlike a bad review on Yelp, these threads often rank on Google’s first page. That makes them more damaging, since anyone searching your name may see the word “scam” or “bad business” before they see your website.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to limit the damage and even turn the situation into an opportunity to build trust.

Step 1: Monitor Mentions Regularly

The earlier you spot a thread, the easier it is to manage. Use Reddit’s search function and set up alerts with your brand name, product names, or executive names. A post with five comments is easier to address than one with hundreds.

Step 2: Understand the Subreddit You’re Dealing With

Not all communities are the same. A post in r/Scams or r/BadBusiness will almost always lean negative, while one in r/SmallBusiness or r/Entrepreneur may allow for a fair conversation. Before responding, look at the rules and the general tone of the thread.

Step 3: Choose Whether to Respond Publicly

Sometimes replying directly can help. A clear, respectful response that explains what happened and what you’re doing to fix it shows accountability.

But in hostile spaces, a response can backfire and fuel more criticism. In those cases, it may be better to resolve the issue privately and ask the poster to update their comments later.

Step 4: Be Honest and Professional

If you do respond, avoid corporate language. Introduce yourself, acknowledge the issue, and share the steps you’re taking. Even admitting a mistake can earn more respect than trying to spin the story.

Step 5: Fix the Underlying Problem

A Reddit thread often reflects frustration. Addressing the root issue is more effective than arguing with users.

Once the problem is solved, customers are more likely to share positive updates themselves, which carries more weight than anything you could post.

Step 6: Push Positive Content in Search

Because Reddit ranks so well in Google, you can’t just leave it alone. Combining new optimized content with helpful Reddit contributions is the best action. The new content will replace the old Reddit thread.

Step 7: Learn From Each Case

Every situation is a chance to learn. Document what went wrong, how you responded, and what worked. Over time, you’ll develop a playbook that enables faster and more effective handling of future issues.

Subreddits Where You Can Post Without Immediate Backlash

Not every subreddit is built the same. Some thrive on calling out bad actors and tearing apart companies. Communities like r/Scams, r/BadBusiness, or even r/LegalAdvice can be harsh. Once a brand gets mentioned there, the conversation often tilts negative, and even the best reply can get buried.

But there are other spaces where open discussion is the norm. These subreddits welcome advice, personal stories, and lessons learned. If you are going to control a positive narrative, these are good places to start.

They are not safe zones for pure promotion, but they are places where you can post without being instantly attacked.

r/Entrepreneur

This is where founders and business owners share what they’ve learned. Posts about failures, challenges, or lessons tend to perform well here. If you talk honestly about something that worked for you or something that didn’t, you’re more likely to get support than criticism.

r/SmallBusiness

A community focused on the day-to-day realities of running a business. People share questions about hiring, customer service, tools, and technology. Posts framed as “here’s what I learned” or “here’s how I solved this problem” often get respect.

r/AskReddit

While not business-focused, this is one of the most active subreddits on the platform. Brands can use it to learn about consumer experiences by asking open-ended questions. Because the tone is conversational, posts here usually avoid the immediate hostility you might find in more critical spaces.

r/IAmA

The AMA format can work well if you are ready for real questions. Founders, experts, and executives who show up and answer candidly often walk away with goodwill and visibility. If the AMA turns into a scripted ad, though, it will fail fast.

r/Technology and Niche Communities

Industry-specific subreddits like r/technology, r/nutrition, or even smaller hobby-based spaces are open to posts that teach. If you explain something new, break down a process, or share expertise, the reception is usually positive. These spaces value knowledge over marketing.

Before You Post to a Subreddit

Reddit is not the kind of place where you can just drop a link and walk away. It’s a community-first platform. Every subreddit has its own culture, and if you ignore it, your post will not only fail but may get you banned. The biggest mistake brands make is jumping in too quickly without learning the rules of the space.

The first step is always to read the guidelines of the subreddit you’re interested in. They’re usually pinned at the top. Some communities, like r/Scams, exist specifically to call out bad actors. Others, like r/Entrepreneur or r/SmallBusiness, are more open to sharing advice and experiences, but they don’t tolerate blatant promotion. Breaking the rules in these spaces can hurt your credibility long after the post is gone.

It’s not just about rules, though. Tone matters. Take some time to observe how people interact. What kind of questions get upvoted? What style of answers gain respect? If you pay attention for a week or two before posting, you’ll notice patterns that will guide how you should participate.

It’s also smart to search for your brand before you start posting. There may already be conversations happening about your company, product, or industry. In some cases, the best approach is not to start a new thread but to join an existing one. A well-timed, thoughtful comment can build more trust than a fresh post that feels like promotion.

Credibility doesn’t come overnight on Reddit. New accounts that only promote themselves stick out immediately. If you want to be taken seriously, take time to engage in conversations, answer questions, and share insights that help others. Over time, this builds trust. When you finally do post something related to your business, it won’t be seen as spam but as part of your ongoing participation.

And finally, be ready for honesty. Redditors don’t hold back. If you post about your business, expect unfiltered feedback. The best way to handle it is with transparency. A brand that admits mistakes and explains how they’re fixing them often earns more respect than one that tries to sidestep criticism.

Conclusion

Reddit is no longer a corner of the internet that brands can afford to ignore. A single post can shape how people see your business, and because Google favors Reddit in search results, those posts often appear at the very top when someone looks up your name.

Handled correctly, Reddit can be a platform for establishing trust and demonstrating expertise. Handled poorly, it can cause lasting damage that’s hard to erase. The difference comes down to preparation, honesty, and knowing when to engage.

At NewReputation, we give you the tools to stay ahead of the conversation. Our sentiment analysis tool tracks how your name is being discussed across Reddit, highlighting both risks and opportunities. This provides a clear view of what matters and helps you respond before problems escalate.

Do you need help with a negative Reddit post? Contact NewReputation today and let us protect your brand where it matters most.