Why Did I Even Return?

Good question. I had already made peace with leaving Reddit for good after concluding that the platform operates in a profoundly unethical manner, especially when it comes to its treatment of users. Shadow banning, a particularly insidious form of censorship, was my breaking point.

I discovered my own shadow ban by accident while checking Reddit in an incognito window. Some of my contributions had been hidden without Reddit informing me. I documented the whole ordeal as thoroughly as possible here.

Reddit's Invisible Censorship

My theory? Reddit's system tends to mistakenly flag and suppress users who discuss IT-related topics. On my old account, sometimes when I commented on technical topics, some of my responses would inexplicably vanish into the void. This kind of moderation isn't just frustrating — it actively undermines open discussion and erodes trust in the platform.

Reddit's approach to moderation, whether through shadow bans or outright suspensions, is quite grotesque. This latest incident reinforces my belief that Reddit is profoundly unethical, and frankly, I'd love to see their site banned in Europe.

Instant Suspension — A Step Up from Shadow Banning?

This time, I wasn't just shadow banned — I was outright suspended. Maybe because it was a new account? My previous one had years of activity, and Reddit might have flagged my return as a violation of some unwritten rule.

It's one thing to get suspended without reason, but even before that, Reddit ensures that new users are subjected to mindless, arbitrary discrimination. Case in point:

You can't contribute in this community yet

To make moderating this community easier, r/facebook only allows people with an established reputation to contribute. Before trying again, grow your reputation any one of these ways.

The Endless Grind for "Reputation"

Apparently, just existing on Reddit isn't enough. You must first grind your way to an "established reputation," whatever that means. It's the digital equivalent of being asked to mop the floor before being allowed to sit at a restaurant.

In theory, this could be a measure against trolls and low-effort spam. In practice, it just means that new users — especially those with genuine insights — are locked out of discussions unless they're willing to play by Reddit's arbitrary rules. This discourages new voices and reinforces the dominance of the same entrenched users.

The Bigger Picture

Reddit's moderation policies, especially their reliance on shadow banning and automated suspensions, reflect a broader trend in online communities. Platforms are moving towards increasingly opaque, algorithm-driven moderation systems that favor control over fairness, and they are not even particularly good at it.

For Reddit, this might be a business decision. Less controversy, fewer headaches. But for users, it creates a hostile environment where meaningful discussion is stifled. The internet was supposed to be an open forum — Reddit, despite its branding as a "front page of the internet," has clearly abandoned that ideal. E.g. Facebook is flooded with garbage and propaganda, and I guess Reddit is close to impossible to join and participate in.

Final Thoughts

My latest Reddit experience was as predictable as it was short-lived. If nothing else, it reaffirmed my decision to stay away. Their platform is broken, their moderation is arbitrary, and their stance on open discussion is hypocritical at best.

If Reddit wants to be an exclusive club for high-karma insiders, they can have it. The rest of us are better off elsewhere.

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