How to fix the “Sorry, this post was removed by Reddit’s filters” error

Seeing the "sorry this post was removed by reddit's filters" notification immediately after posting is a frustrating experience for Reddit users. The cause may be that you accidentally triggered strict moderation standards, or simply that Reddit's automated filters are operating aggressively. This article will help you clearly understand how the filters work, analyze common causes, and provide troubleshooting guides to get your content visible again.

1. What are Reddit filters?

To put it simply, Reddit Filters are an automated 24/7 security system that controls all content posted on the platform. This is the "gatekeeper" behind the sorry this post was removed by reddit's filters message you just encountered. Instead of requiring direct human approval, this system uses algorithms to decide whether a post is suitable for display.

To protect users from harmful content, this system is divided into several layers of protection:

• Spam Filter: This is the "firewall" operated by Reddit itself to block large-scale attacks right at the gateway. The system continuously scans databases to cross-check with blacklists, removing content with signs of advertising or unusual repetitive posting patterns from bots. If blocked at this layer, posts are often removed immediately without notice (shadowban), making the poster still see the post but others do not.
• Reputation Filter: Reddit evaluates the trustworthiness of each account. New accounts, those with low interaction, or low reputation scores will be "scrutinized" more closely and are more likely to be strictly censored compared to long-standing, reputable accounts, leading to posts being pushed to a moderation queue or automatically collapsed to limit viewers.
• AutoMod: This is a customizable tool installed specifically for moderators (Mods) of each community (Subreddit). AutoMod runs based on code snippets set by managers to scan titles and content in real-time. If it detects a violation of specific group rules (such as missing topic tags, wrong formatting, or containing sensitive keywords), it will automatically remove the post and usually send a reminder message for you to edit.
• Site-wide Rules: Platform-wide rules applied to all Reddit users. Serious behaviors like harassment, hate speech, or vote manipulation are strictly forbidden. Violating this layer not only results in the post being deleted but your account can also be permanently banned from the platform.

Because of this strict security mechanism, the system often tends to remove posts immediately even when your content does not clearly violate rules. Reddit's goal is to ensure absolute community safety, so filters tend to screen suspicious posts thoroughly.

2. 5 Main causes why your post was removed

Understanding the protection layer mechanism is just the first step. To avoid the Sorry this post was removed by Reddit’s filters notification, you need to know exactly what factors triggered this moderation system. Here is an analysis of the 5 main causes:

2.1. Low trustworthiness & contributor quality score (CQS)

This is the most common cause for new users. Reddit does not evaluate all accounts equally. The system relies on the Contributor Quality Score (CQS) to classify user trust from Lowest to Highest. If you use a newly created account (usually under 30 days old), have little activity history, or low Karma, the filter will default to flagging your content as "high risk."

In fact, many large Subreddits set AutoMod to immediately block posts from accounts that do not meet minimum requirements, such as under 50 Karma or no previous comment history in that community. This is to limit spam from virtual accounts.

Managing the trust score of a single account is already challenging, but managing multiple social media accounts without getting banned is even harder. If you are running numerous accounts for clients or for marketing and affiliate campaigns, the risk of a mass sweep is very high.

Reference details: Guide on how to create multiple Reddit accounts (Step-by-step detail)

2.2. Spam filter triggers

Reddit's AI algorithm is extremely sensitive to promotional content. Your post will hit the sorry this post was removed by reddit's filters error if you make these mistakes:

• Too many links: Especially naked URLs or links leading to sales pages, or thin landing pages.
• Using URL shorteners: Links like bit.ly, t.co, tinyurl are often blacklisted because they hide the true destination.
• Imbalanced content/ad ratio: Reddit recommends a 9:1 ratio (9 useful discussion posts for every 1 self-promotion post). If you continuously post links to your personal website, you will be flagged as a Spammer and the filter will block your post.
• Content duplication: Posting the same content to more than 3 Subreddits in a very short time (under 10 minutes) will be considered spamming behavior.

Violating any of the above factors can put your account in the AI's 'sights', making all your content creation efforts meaningless when the post is blocked right from the moderation round.

2.3. Crowd control configuration

This is an advanced protection feature, often turned on in large Subreddits or sensitive topics (politics, crypto). If moderators set Crowd Control to "Strict," your post will be automatically hidden if you fall into one of these groups:

• Users who haven't clicked the "Join" button for the Subreddit before posting => Filtered.
• Users with "Negative Karma" in that community (previously downvoted a lot) => Filtered.

Your post is not actually permanently deleted, but it will be in a "Held for review" state and other users will not see it.

2.4. Technical errors, browser conflicts, and VPNs

Sometimes the problem is not in the content but technical factors from the user or the system. Using Ad-blockers or low-quality VPN/Proxy can disrupt Reddit's authentication code, making the system mistake you for an automated Bot:

• VPN/Proxy: Reddit often blocks IP ranges from popular VPN services because Spammers often use them. If your IP is in a "blacklist", the post will be blocked.
• Extensions: Ad blockers or automation tools sometimes interfere with the browser's authentication token, causing Reddit to suspect you are a bot. Also, sometimes Reddit servers encounter issues causing confusing error messages.
• Server error: During maintenance or system overload, the spam filter may operate inaccurately and mistakenly delete valid posts even if you haven't violated any rules.

In summary, identifying the correct technical cause helps you avoid wasting effort editing content when the actual problem lies in the connection or system error.

In case of system connection issues, you can see more: "We had a server error” on Reddit: What is it and how to fix it?

2.5. Specific AutoModerator Rules

Finally, each Subreddit has its own specific formatting rules. AutoMod will not hesitate to remove posts if you violate basic errors such as:

• Content length: Posts that are too short (e.g., under 100 words) or titles that are too short.
• Mandatory Tags: Titles missing required classification keywords like [Help], [Discussion], or [OC].
• Forbidden formats: Posting images in Subreddits that only allow text discussion (Text-only).

In summary, each community on Reddit has its own operating standards. Learning the specific rules of each community is a mandatory step to ensure your posts do not violate basic formatting errors and are displayed publicly.

3. Distinguishing differences between filters vs. bans

Many users equate post removal with more serious forms of account suspension. In fact, Removed by Filters, Shadowban and Account Ban are three completely different states. To have a correct appeal plan, you first need to identify which case your account falls into:

Thus, if you only encounter filter errors (Filters), the chance of restoring your post is very high. However, if the account has fallen into a Shadowban state, all efforts to modify post content will be meaningless; at this point, the appeal process will be much more complicated than just having a post filtered.

Read now: Got a Reddit account banned? Here's how to overcome and create a new one 

4. How to identify the specific cause

Reddit's error message is usually a default automated message and doesn't specify where you went wrong. Once you've ruled out a serious account ban, we can determine the problem lies solely with the content or posting technique. Instead of modifying randomly, you should apply the elimination process below to pinpoint the issue before taking any action:

• Read Subreddit rules carefully: Open an incognito tab and check the Sidebar or Wiki for formatting rules, forbidden keywords, or content requirements.
• Check content: Scan if the post contains shortened links, affiliate links, or commercial sensitive keywords.
• Use reputation check tools: You can post checks at Subreddits like r/WhatIsMyCQS or r/ShadowBan to know your trust index. If CQS is "Lowest" or "Low", the cause is usually account reputation.
• Try logging in on a new browser: Log in and post on a browser without Extensions to rule out technical errors from ad blockers.

Instead of fixing without a basis, understanding the source of the problem not only helps you avoid wasting time fixing errors blindly, but is also an important prerequisite for choosing the optimal and most suitable solution for your current account status.

5. Guide to fixing the "Sorry this post was removed by Reddit’s filters" error

After pinpointing the cause, don't rush to repost the article immediately as this action may cause the system to mistake you for a spammer and tighten censorship further. Instead, you need to perform specific adjustment steps to prove to the system (or Moderator) that your content is valid. Here is a 5-step process to help you fix this issue:

5.1. Contact the administrator (Modmail)

This is the most effective way if you believe your content did not violate rules. Sometimes the AI system misidentifies and just needs human intervention.

Operation: Find the "Message the mods" button in the Sidebar of the Subreddit.

Note: Do not private message (PM) individual Mods. Send through the official Modmail channel politely and briefly with the link to the removed post so they can easily check.

5.2. Content optimization and re-posting

In case of hitting a spam filter, the most effective solution is to adjust the post structure to make the content more reliable in the eyes of the automated moderation system:

• Remove links: Delete all shortened links (like bit.ly, tinyurl), replace with clear original links. If possible, move links from the body to the comments section.
• Edit title: Rewrite a more natural title, avoid all caps or sensational keywords.

This fine-tuning helps clear out unusual signs, helping the post escape the Reddit spam filter's sights effectively.

5.3. Building karma and trustworthiness (trust score)

If the cause is a new account or low trust index, you must be patient in building a reputation profile. Start by being a helpful commenter to earn Comment Karma first. Once you have made certain contributions, AutoMod will automatically loosen regulations for your account.

In case you need to use multiple accounts for interaction or sensitive issues, managing accounts correctly is crucial to avoid system tracking.

Find out now: What is a Throwaway Reddit account? - How to create multiple accounts without being detected?

5.4. Verify email address

A verified email account will have much higher trustworthiness in the eyes of Reddit's algorithm. Go to User Settings => Account to complete this if your account doesn't have a verified badge yet.

5.5. Try posting in alternative subreddits

If Subreddit A has filters that are too strict (e.g., minimum 100 Karma), find Subreddit B with the same topic but smaller scale. In these communities, rules are usually more lenient, helping you post easily and accumulate initial Karma before returning to larger communities.

6. Preventive measures to avoid flagging

To ensure the sorry this post was removed by reddit's filters notification doesn't become a constant nightmare, you need to strictly adhere to the following principles:

• Space out posting frequency: Maintain at least 15-20 minutes between posts so the system doesn't mark you as a spam bot.
• Optimize content and formatting: Avoid all-caps titles, excessive emojis, or sensational keywords. These are typical signs of low-quality advertising.
• Do not abuse automation tools: Limit the use of auto-posting software or comment bots. Reddit is equipped with sensitive automatic detection mechanisms.
• Control Duplicate Content: Do not copy identical content to post on many different Subreddits. Re-edit the title and intro for each community context.

7. When is your account at risk?

If you've tried everything and posts are still deleted, be careful. These are signs your account is in the system "Blacklist":

• Mass post removals: All your new posts are automatically deleted regardless of content.
• Loss of interaction rights: Your Upvotes/Downvotes are not recorded.
• Profile unavailable: Incognito view shows "Page not found". This is a sign of a Shadowban.

In this case, saving the old account is often time-consuming and ineffective. Many users consider finding new reputable accounts or buying trusted accounts. However, this market has many risks.

Important Warning: Selling Reddit accounts: Explanation of risks and alternatives

8. Conclusion

The sorry this post was removed by reddit's filters notice is a control mechanism to maintain content quality. By understanding the AI and building your CQS, you can overcome this. Trustworthiness is the decisive factor on Reddit.

9. FAQ

1. What does "Sorry, this post was removed by Reddit’s filters" actually mean?

This message indicates that Reddit's automated filtering system (including Spam filter, Reputation filter, or AutoMod) has blocked your post before it was publicly displayed. This is usually the action of a mechanical algorithm, not manual deletion by a Moderator.

2. Why was my post removed immediately after clicking Submit?

The most common reason is that your account is too new (under 30 days), your Karma score is too low for the Subreddit's floor requirements, or the content contains prohibited links (URL shorteners, spam links).

3. Does this error mean my account is banned?

No. This is only a localized post removal (Removed). Your account functions normally. However, repeated violations can lead to a Shadowban or permanent ban.

4. How to recover a post removed by filters?

The most effective way is to re-check Subreddit rules to edit content, then send a Modmail to moderators to request manual review and approval.

5. How to prevent posts from hitting filters in the future?

Focus on building account trustworthiness by: verifying Email, actively commenting to increase Karma, following the 9:1 content ratio, and avoiding automated posting tools.