How to Report a Subreddit in 2025

Reddit’s culture of free speech can lead you to communities that may include hate, harassment, or illegal activities. While not every uncomfortable subreddit violates Reddit’s rules, there are ways to report those that do.

This guide details the steps to report a subreddit, whether you’re using a desktop, mobile device, or don’t have an account.

What Reddit Allows

Reddit may permit edgy or controversial content, but it does not tolerate:

• Harassment, bullying, or threats of violence
• Hate speech based on identity
• Sharing private information (doxxing)
• Impersonation
• Encouraging or facilitating illegal activity
• Content that attempts to break Reddit itself

Reddit’s Content Policy outlines these in full. If a subreddit consistently promotes this type of content, you can report it directly to Reddit admins (not just the subreddit’s own mods).

How to Report a Subreddit on Desktop

If you’re on the Reddit website, follow these steps to report a problematic subreddit:

1. Go to the Official Reddit Report Page
2. Choose the Report Type
   • Choose Community Help
   • Select “I want to report a subreddit for violating the content policy”
3. Enter the Subreddit Name without r/ (e.g., r/example).
4. Select the Violation Type: Pick the reason that matches the issue:
   • Harassment
   • Hate speech
   • Encouraging illegal activity
   • Inappropriate content
   • And others
5. Describe the Problem
   • Provide specific examples
   • Link to offensive posts or threads
   • Explain the recurring issue if it’s not a one-off
6. Upload Screenshots (If Relevant): Screenshots aren’t required but can help clarify what Reddit admins will review.
7. Submit Your Report: Once done, hit Submit. Reddit will investigate. If the subreddit violates policy, admins may quarantine it, restrict its visibility, or shut it down.

Example message:

Hi Reddit team,

I’m reporting r/testsubreddit for repeated harassment targeting individuals based on race and gender. The subreddit regularly allows and upvotes posts that mock, insult, and incite hate toward specific groups of people.

A few examples:

• A recent post titled “Why [group] people shouldn’t be allowed online” was heavily upvoted and filled with violent, hateful comments.
• Multiple threads targeting users from other subreddits, including links to their profiles and encouragement to harass them.
• Ongoing use of slurs and dehumanizing language in both posts and comments.

Here are a few direct links that show this behavior:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/testsubreddit/comments/example1
• https://www.reddit.com/r/testsubreddit/comments/example2

I’ve also taken screenshots in case the posts get removed.

This feels like a pattern, not just isolated incidents. I hope the admins can take a serious look at the subreddit’s content and moderation practices.

Thanks for your time.

If you don’t have an account or prefer not to use yours, you can still report a subreddit anonymously through Reddit’s Help Center above.

How to Report a Subreddit on the Reddit App (Mobile)

Reddit’s mobile app does not allow users to report an entire subreddit directly, but there are still methods to inform administrators about problematic communities.

Here’s what to do:

Option 1: Report Individual Posts From the Subreddit

1. Open the Reddit app
2. Go to the subreddit in question
3. Tap the three dots (...) on a problematic post
4. Tap “Report”
5. Choose the reason that matches the violation (e.g., “harassment” or “encouraging hate”)

Each report adds to Reddit’s moderation signals. If enough users report multiple posts from the same subreddit, admins take notice.

Option 2: Use the In-App “Report an Issue” Tool

1. Tap your profile icon
2. Go to Settings
3. Scroll down at the very button and tap “Report”
4. You’ll be redirected to a Help Center form (similar to desktop)
5. Choose the issue type and explain what the subreddit is doing
6. Include subreddit name and links to posts, if possible
7. Tap Submit

Tip: You can attach screenshots from your phone as evidence when using the Help Center form.

What Happens After You Report a Subreddit?

Reporting a subreddit does not automatically remove it. However, your report will be reviewed by Reddit’s admin team instead of just the subreddit moderators.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Your Report Is Logged

After you submit your report, Reddit records it and places it in a queue for human review by the administrators.

2. Admins Review the Content

They verify if the subreddit breaches Reddit’s Content Policy. If your report lacks details, it may not be processed, so include links, examples, or screenshots whenever possible.

3. Things Might Happen

Depending on what Reddit finds, a few things might happen:

• No action: If Reddit finds no policy violations
• Content removal: Specific posts may be deleted
• Quarantine: A warning is shown to visitors before entering the subreddit
• Ban: The subreddit is shut down completely

And then

• If you reported using the Help Center with an email, you might get a follow-up
• If you reported through the app or logged-in account, Reddit usually doesn’t notify you of the outcome

Tips to Avoid Wasting Time

Reddit receives thousands of reports. To ensure yours stands out and is taken seriously, don’t just click “report” and walk away. Here’s how to make your report effective:

• Don’t just say “this subreddit is bad.” Include the exact name, like r/examplesubreddit, not just a link or vague reference.
• Provide links to specific posts or comments that demonstrate the violation. Admins require evidence, not generalizations.
• If you see something extreme, take a screenshot immediately. Subreddits often delete posts quickly once they know they’re being watched.
• Use terms from the Content Policy. For example: Threats or violence, doxxing, illegal content, etc. This helps admins categorize and escalate your report faster.
• If a subreddit is offensive but not violating Reddit’s policy, your report won’t result in action. Focus only on clear policy-breaking behavior.