How to Get the Kind of Blog Traffic You Want with Reddit

By: | October 4, 2015 | Tags: , , |

Is Reddit blogging for you?

Reddit has a notorious reputation for considering bloggers spammers.

Is it possible to generate blog traffic from Reddit?

Let’s find out!

 

Reddit is like StumbleUpon

Do you want to get free blog traffic?

Do you want massive blog traffic or instant blog traffic?

What if I told you that you could have both but not at the same time?

If you had to pick between massive blog traffic to your site or instant but smaller traffic, which would you choose?

This article will explain how you can have one or the other using the social bookmarking site Reddit.

Reddit’s History

Reddit started just under ten years ago and has over a hundred million visitors monthly. The site is named Reddit due to a play on words.  Since people use Reddit to curate their articles, they say that they read the article; they read it, so the site is called Reddit.

Reddit’s Value for Your Blog

In March of 2014 Reddit boasted 114 million visitors from 190 countries. That many people could seriously boost your page views.

[bctt tweet=”Reddit has a reputation for having the potential to refer massive amounts of traffic to your blog.”]

According to Quicksprout‘s Neil Patel, Reddit is considered such a good site, that if two people vote for your link there, you will have a link into your site from Reddit, a site with a low Alexa score, which will increase your SEO ranking.

You might ask why you wouldn’t have a link into your site if someone clicks your link over at Reddit. In a recent post, my guest author discussed no follow and do follow links.  No follow links means Google’s bots won’t be crawling; Google won’t even know about the link.  If you get two or more votes, Google will then let their bots crawl your article, and your SEO will rise.

Apparently, people tried to spam by adding many articles to Reddit in hopes of adding to their site’s SEO value, so Reddit put this block in place.  It goes away as soon as your article gets two or more votes.

Reddit’s Value for You

Reddit is not a link-dropping site.  You don’t post your blog link like you would at a Facebook group or linky party and hope people click on your link.  On the contrary, Reddit frowns on self-promotion.

I went to the AskReddit subreddit to start a new thread and post a question, and I was not even able to use the pronoun “I” in my question.  The site is that leery about self-promotion.

You can post your blog articles in one of two ways, with links (called a link post) or without links (called a text post).  When I tried to post two different articles with links back to my blog within a short time of each other, I was not allowed to.  I got a notice saying I needed to wait five more minutes before posting another article.

Its primary value comes to you in other ways:

  • First and foremost, Reddit is a forum where like-minded people, called Redditors, come together.  They find each other by joining smaller communities within the larger Reddit community.  Those smaller communities are called subreddits.

According to recent statistics, there are 638,959 subreddits for you to choose from, and there is no limit to how many of these smaller Reddit communities you can join.

  • The subreddits are forums where people post questions in threads and people respond. Therefore, Reddit is a great place to go if you need help with any aspect of blogging (or seemingly anything at all).  Just find the relevant Reddit subreddits and start a thread with your question. Actually, if you want to get noticed on Reddit, starting comment threads is a great way to do it.
  • You can get immediate traffic from Reddit if you post a link post.  On days I want a page view boost, I go to Reddit, post my link, and seemingly within minutes, I see traffic on my stats page coming from Reddit.
  • You can get followers on Reddit on your other forms of social media.  For example, the Twitter subreddit allows users to promote their Twitter accounts on Friday.  Just find the “sticky” labelled Follow Friday to post your Twitter name.

 Reddit Tutorial

  • Go to https://www.reddit.com/ and make an account. Be careful.  If you want to change the name of your account later on, you can’t. You would have to start over. You will be able to choose subreddits that interest you.
  • To post a link to your blog post, decide if you want to post an article with or without a link.
Reddit how to link post

You can link a post with a link to your blog or a text post.

You are looking at the inside of the app subreddit.  When you get there, you can search for a new subreddit, or submit a post with or without links.

  • In contrast to other content curation sites, once you post your link, Reddit works like a popularity contest. If redditors vote for your post, it increases in visibility.

The administrators of Reddit think if their users vote for it, your article must have merit, and they will let their other users find it easier.  However, lobbying for votes is considered spammy.

Voting on Reddit makes a post rise in visibility.

Voting on Reddit makes a post rise in visibility.

By looking at the screenshot, you see I was in the app subreddit. I posted my Dropbox article there.  Notice the 1 is in orange right under the orange arrow. This means someone voted for my Dropbox article.  As a result, my post is the fifth most visible in the subreddit, right under #4 which got two votes.

The down arrow works the opposite way.  If someone presses the down arrow, it will be hard for your post to rise in visibility.

Note: I have received traffic from Reddit to page views that received zero votes.  People didn’t vote for my article, but they still clicked my link.

Reddit Strategy

According to Twelve Skip‘s Pauline Cabrera, you should do the following:

  • Find some BIG, general subreddits you can fit into. Sub Reddits show how many users they get, so look for something in the 10’s of thousands.
  • Find a few small, relevant subreddits you can fit into. These can be very niche with only a few thousand members.
This Reddit screenshot shows how many members are in the subreddits.

This Reddit screenshot shows how many members are in the Big SEO subreddit.

Reddit Warnings

  • Different subreddits have different rules.

As mentioned, Reddit is not a link-dropping site.  The moderators want to see reciprocity on your part.  When they see you interacting in their subreddits, you will get karma credits. (Karma, like you have done a good deed by participating.) Once you have enough karma credits, you can post your link.

For example, I tried posting a productivity post of mine in the Productivity subreddit, and look at the comment I received as a result:

Hello! Unfortunately, since your account has less than 10 combined karma
 your post was automatically removed. 

I experimented with different subreddits to see if I couldn’t see better results.  Since I have many Pinterest articles, I linked my articles in the Pinterest subreddit, and started getting immediate traffic from the site, and my older posts that I linked there started getting immediate page views once I did.

I put my Evernote article in the app subreddit, and I don’t recall having any problems there either.

You might wonder how to get points so they let you post your articles.  Actions get you points such as starting and responding to a comment thread.

  • David DiGiovanni of Search Engine Journal expresses concerns about bloggers posting articles with direct links to their blog.  Reddit is so against self-promotion, Redditors could become skeptical that you are only there to self-promote.  He advises putting snippets of your articles in the Submit Text Post box to generate interest.

Conclusion: Reddit Blogging

In conclusion, this post began by giving two options.  On one hand, you could strive for page views from Reddit.  If your experience is like mine, submit a link post.  I received traffic to a variety of posts in different subreddits and almost instantaneously.

On the other hand, if you want to try to up the stakes and get massive traffic from Reddit, submit a text post.

Readers, before you go try your hand at Reddit, please share this article.  Many people find Reddit confusing and steer away from trying it for that reason.  If this gives any clarity at all, they may give it a try to increase their traffic.

What do YOU think about Reddit?  It has a reputation of being confusing with all the rules and subreddits.  Do you think you might try it?  Have you already posted at Reddit? What were your experiences? Did you post a link post or a text post? I look forward to your views.

Related Post:

7 Best Sites to Buy Reddit Upvotes & Downvotes

Sources:

https://www.quicksprout.com/2015/06/18/how-to-get-your-slice-of-reddits-150-million-pageviews/

http://www.twelveskip.com/marketing/content-marketing/1384/places-promote-your-content

B

    • Janice Wald

      Hi! Thank you so much. I hope it was clear that if you submit a link post, you will get traffic. If you submit a text post, you have the potential for more traffic in the long term.
      Janice

  1. Jeanette

    Never used reddit before. Will have to set up an account for myself after reading your informative blog post. Thank you for your help!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Jeanette,
      Thank you so much for checking in with me this morning. I’ve never received the kind of massive traffic I hear so much about, but I am getting consistent traffic from Reddit which is good. Most of my submissions are link submissions, and smaller amounts of traffic is what you can expect with link submissions.
      Thanks for writing. Great to hear from you.
      Janice

  2. Tim Gatewood

    Janet, thank you for posting this. It is clear and concise. Now, I just need to make the time to open yet another account so I can get on reddit (and stumbleupon, too, based on your other recent article).

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Tim!
      Great to hear from you! How are you in your part of the country/ Everyone seems to be reporting rain this morning.
      Thank you so much for your comments. Just when I saw your comment come in that you thought the post was clear, I was sitting here at my laptop concerned that the post was too complicated!
      So, thank you, not only for the kind words but for the peace of mind. Thanks again for writing!
      Janice

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  4. Precious Chiduku

    Reddit has given me the biggest headache for the longest time!!! I discovered it way before Stumbleupon, Pinterest and Instagram. Over the past year, I have managed to understand how those sites work but Reddit has remained a mystery until now… Thank you for the clarification. This is officially my new project now 😀

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Precious,
      I am so glad you found me on my new site, and we ran into each other today on Google+. You and I go way back. You were one of the first people in my community of followers. Can you tell I’m sentimental? Say “hi” next time you come over. It’s great seeing you again.
      Janice

      • Anonymous

        We do go back a long time back, lol 😀 Been around since then. Please check out my new site too and tell me what you think. 😀

  5. Kathy

    Hi Janice! I do like Reddit and used to spend a lot of time there. It’s where I met my first couple of trolls!!!! But then a couple of the moderators decided I was too self promoting and actually blocked me so you do have to watch that. I also think most of the readers are of a younger crowd so when you write for an older audience (including midlife) you don’t always find your “tribe.” Still, it’s worth trying and I think I’ll go back and use a few of your suggestions to see if I’m now back in favor. ~Kathy

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Kathy,
      I saw your comment come in earlier, and I thought about it while I was walking around the mall. You are one of the nicest people I know. I can’t imagine anybody thinking you are doing anything inappropriate let alone being spammy.
      A conversation ensued on Facebook about this post. They said Reddit doesn’t like bloggers. However, I did not submit to the blogging subReddit. I submitted to apps (which I am still getting traffic from while I type, happily), and Pinterest.
      Try it again but maybe in a different subReddit this time. Thank you for writing me today. I appreciate your comments.
      Janice

  6. John Doe

    I think if anyone needs any clarification, if they write it as a comment, someone will provide them with the help needed. Your followers are always really helpful and knowledgable

    • Janice Wald

      True. That’s what community is all about. I can try as well. Thanks for writing.
      Janice

  7. Theresa Wiza

    I think I signed up for this site once, but I’ve never used it. I’ll have to look into it again. Thanks!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Theresa,
      Thank you for visiting my site today (still Sunday here.) I tried to sign up for your blog, but could only find RSS Feed, so I used that. We both blog about blogging. It is nice to see a like-minded blogger.
      As far as your comment, I like the Pinterest and the app subReddit especially the latter the best. Thanks for writing.
      Janice

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  9. Kaye Swain

    Very interesting article. I’ve avoided Reddit for years for some of the many reasons you’ve mentioned along with concerns about language. I hadn’t realized they had niches within it. After reading this I think I shall give it a try. Thank you!

    • Katie Jenkins

      Hi Janice! Thank you so much for clearing up the confusion. I created a Reddit account toward the first of the year, but I quickly became frustrated and gave up on it. Your tips have inspired me to give it another shot. Actually, I just submitted one of my posts. I’m sure this will make me look like an idiot for saying this, but I’m kinda lost when it comes to the link posts and text posts. When submitting a post, Reddit didn’t give me the link or text option. I don’t know if it was because I was on my iPhone or what. (If you didn’t think I was an idiot before, I’m sure you will after this next question…) And when looking at the two, what’s the main difference:-)

      • Janice Wald

        Hi Katie,
        Please never be concerned a question is “idiotic.” My mother taught me the only stupid question is the one not asked, and I have lived my life believing it.
        1. The reason you may not be given a link option or text option is this: not all subReddits have both options.
        2. The difference: Link submissions allow you to post an article with a link in it. Text submissions– perhaps you have a question or comment, or you want to post a snippet of an article and not give a link.
        I am happy with page views, so I use the link submissions. Some Reddit subReddits think users look too self-promotional if they link their articles and will only allow text submissions.
        I hope that cleared up confusion at least to some degree. Thank you for reading my Reddit guide and writing me.
        Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Kaye,
      Thank you for reading my article and writing me. I am so glad you did so that you can give Reddit’s various subReddits another try. Pleased to meet you.
      Janice

  10. Amy Hagerup

    I must set up a ReddIt account. This is one of the social media accounts I haven’t utilized yet. Thanks for such an informative post. I am visiting from LIteracy Musing.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Amy,
      Thank you for the nice compliments on my article. Give Reddit a try. If you have bad experiences, try different subReddits until you find one you are comfortable in. Thanks for writing.
      Janice

  11. Pamela Shank

    Thank you for all of this information. I am relatively new at starting a blog and learning so much every day. This seems a little overwhelming to me but I am going to read this all again.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Pamela,
      Nice to meet you. Thank you for visiting my blog on Monday. I am glad you enjoyed my Reddit article. Reddit can be a little overwhelming, but that is the beauty of their small subReddit communities. Keep experimenting until you find one you feel comfortable in. I have had the most traffic from apps and second most from Pinterest.
      Thanks for writing me.
      Janice

  12. Debby Gies

    Thanks for sharing how Reddit works. It makes a lot of sense and I’ll look into it down the road. Presently, I have enough social media to contend with. 🙂

    • Janice Wald

      HI Debby,
      I know how busy we all are. (I’m still too busy to watch Grey’s!). If you find a Reddit community you’re comfortable in, it’s pretty quick after that. Thanks for writing. How was your weekend shopping spree?
      Janice

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  14. Cooking For The Time Challenged

    Very clear explanation. I am still trying to understand Facebook! Thank you!

  15. Shopgirlanonymous

    I used reddit back in March, and still receive the occasional view from reddit…I do know that the first day I received something like 200 views on my one post. The karma is allot of maintenance, and it is a path that requires allot of dedication of our time, but definitely if you can find the category that is right for you, will have a decent pay off.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Shopgirlanonymous,
      200! Congratulations! That’s incredible! Thanks for sharing. I’ve never even gotten close to that from Reddit. What subReddit was it in? Do you remember? Thanks for writing.
      Janice

  16. Sagan

    Wow – thanks for the comprehensive article! I haven’t gotten into Reddit yet but I am adding it to my list of things to look into. Definitely going to wait until I have the proper time to devote to it.

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  19. Ellen Hawley

    I’ve messed around a little bit with Reddit and it seems to demand a lot of time if you’re going to make it work.

    • Janice Wald

      It depends on the sub Reddit. I have received the most traffic from the Pinterest sub Reddit.
      Janice

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  21. Taposh Kapuria

    “Be a redditor not a marketer” – very wise advice. I discovered this a few months ago when I accidentally posted a link to my personal account instead of my ‘business’ account. The result was a far more positive response in the comments, more upvotes and more clicks.

    I’m surprised by how willing some/many redditors are to downvote companies or anyone who’s marketing something, even if their post and/or link is very useful. The personal approach is definitely the way to go, thanks for the excellent and very actionable post.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Taposh,
      Thank you for writing me and your interest in my Reddit article. I have found Reddit is hit and miss. I have taken my own advice and posted in subReddits of people who have success in those subReddits. I’m starting to think not worth my time. It sounds like for you it’s hit and miss as well. True?
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Hi, I just wrote you on your RSS post but I don’t see my comment. Is it waiting moderation? If not, please check your SPAM folder. I was hoping you could add my blog https://mostlyblogging.com to the RSS Feed since I’d love the traffic boost your article described but I can’t figure out how to do it.
      Thanks and thanks for the visit. I invited you to guest post about SEO if you are ever interested.
      Janice

  22. empowee

    I just signed up to Reddit, I plan to give it a try.
    I read Neil Patel’s intro to Reddit a month ago and then I stumbled upon your article through Google.
    It’s been on my to-do-list to try Reddit out.
    I will let you know which I prefer.
    Thanks empowee
    Which social network gives you the most traffic?
    I really love Instagram, but it looks like like Google Analytics track’s IG traffic. I also noticed my IG traffic has the lowest bounce rate.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Empowee,
      Is there any way we can be “Reddit buddies?” If people upvote your link there, it gives your post visibility. I had momentum with this post. Perhaps if you upvote it for me, the momentum will restart: https://www.mostlyblogging.com/productive-blogger-2/
      Is there a post I can upvote for you? I think I need the Reddit link, but since I’m at work, it would be blocked here.
      Janice

      • Empowee

        Buddies yeah.

        Please send me the link to upvote you.

        I don’t have any posts yet because I want to gain karma first before posting.

    • Janice Wald

      Sorry I ignored your question. Which social media site gets me the most traffic? Definitely Facebook. I have had only a handful come from IG ever.
      Janice

      • empowee

        Hi Janice,

        I don’t think Google Analytics tracks IG well TBH.

        In my initial comment I meant to say I don’t think it tracks it well but I said but it looks like Google Analytics track’s IG traffic.

        Please can you send me your Reddit link to up vote. I have been searching for your blog for like 2 weeks now – I spent like 2 hours going through all my bookmarks trying to find you – I didn’t bookmark your page and I didn’t remember your name.

        I just found you again by googling all the comments I have made on other sites PHEW!

        • Janice Wald

          Hi Empowee,
          How kind you are. I woke up to read your comments which started my day with a big smile on my face.
          You spent weeks trying to find me?! I am so flattered. Thank you!
          I believe you subscribed today. I am glad we will not lose touch again.
          Here is my Reddit link: https://www.mostlyblogging.com/productive-blogger-2/
          Please send me one I can upvote for you with the appropriate subReddit.
          Thanks for everything– the effort you made to reconnect with me, the upvote, subscribing, and making me feel fantastic today.
          Janice

  23. Julia

    It’s an interesting and informative blog. Now I surprised why my karma points are only 2 after so many links submission. I need to be more active in related subreddit s also.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Julia,
      No one has commented on my Reddit article in a long time. Where did you find the article?
      Thanks for the compliment.
      Yes, Reddit works on karma. The more active you are, the more you’ll get out of the site. I heard it takes a long long time to finally see results from your efforts at Reddit.
      Janice

  24. Fahad K

    Hi Janice,
    After 4 years, I found your article very helpful … though a change of screenshots will make it even better with some updated information, but all in all … superb, keep up the good work!

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