Did you join a subreddit and find it’s private, now you are probably asking yourself how to join a private Subreddit?
These private spaces are used to keep in-depth discussions focused, and quality, or to protect sensitive topics. If you’ve found a private subreddit you want to get into, it’s pretty easy.
It can be a bit weird but the good news is it’s not impossible. If you want to join private subreddit and be part of the inner circle, there are a few simple steps to follow.
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How to Join a Private Subreddit: Step by Step
Getting into a private subreddit can be a bit confusing if you’re new to Reddit or not familiar with how the private communities work.
Follow these steps and you will join a private subreddit quickly.
1. Log in
Before you can even think about getting into a private subreddit, you need to have an active and established Reddit account. Logging in is easy but here are a few things to keep in mind:
Set up Your Account:
Some private subreddits have requirements for members to meet, like a minimum account age or a certain amount of karma (a measure of your activity and contributions on Reddit).
Having a brand new account might lower your chances of getting in.
Try participating in public subreddits first to build up some karma and show you’re a legitimate and positive member of the private Reddit community.
Stay Active:
Comment and vote on posts. Show you’re interested in the Reddit communities. This not only makes your account look more established but also shows the mods you know how Reddit works.
2. Check Your Reddit Account
Before you even message the mods, make sure your account looks good. Some private subreddits won’t let you join if your account is brand new or looks inactive.
Mods want to make sure the people they approve are real users, not bots or trolls.
Be active
Engage in other public subreddits before applying to a private one. Post comments, ask questions, or share information.
Follow Reddit’s rules
Make sure your account has a clean history. If you’ve had a lot of posts removed or been banned from other subreddits, that’s a big red flag.
Get karma: Karma isn’t everything but having some karma shows you’re an active and valuable Redditor.
3. Find a Private Community
If you already know the name of the private subreddit you want to get into, now’s the time to find it. Private communities won’t show up in Reddit’s search results so you’ll have to be more direct:
Use the URL Bar:
Type the private subreddit name directly into the URL bar.
For example, if you want to get into a subreddit called “r/privatecommunity” you would type www.reddit.com/r/privatecommunity.
This will take you to the page but since the subreddit is private you’ll get a message saying you don’t have access to it.
Ask Around:
If you’re not sure of the exact name or if the private subreddit is part of a larger interest private group, ask other Reddit users for help to join a private subreddit.
Some private subreddits only share their names or invite links through specific private communities or websites so you may need to be plugged into the right networks to find them.
3. Click “Request to Join”
Once you’re on the private subreddit’s page you’ll see a message saying the community is private. But there should also be a “Request to Join” button.
Request Access:
Clicking this button sends a formal request to the private subreddit’s mods, telling them you want to get in.
Some subreddits might also display more information about what’s required to get in, like filling out a questionnaire or providing more info in your request.
Read the Instructions:
Before you send your request, read any instructions or guidelines in the sidebar or welcome message.
This will give you an idea of what the mods are looking for and help you craft a better message.
4. Send a Private Message to the Moderators
After you click “Request to Join,” go ahead and send a private message to the mods.
This is your chance to make a good first impression and tell them why you want to be in their private community.
Here’s how:
Be Polite and Direct:
Your message doesn’t have to be long but be respectful and genuine. Introduce yourself and tell them why you want to join private subreddits.
For example: “Hi! I’m interested in joining this private community because I love [topic]. I’ve been on Reddit for a while and would like to contribute to the conversations here.”
Mention Relevant Experience:
If the private subreddit is about a specific hobby or niche, mention any relevant knowledge or experience you have. This shows mods you’ll bring value to the private community.
Follow Their Rules:
If the private subreddit requires you to answer specific questions or follow certain rules when requesting access, make sure you follow those rules to the letter.
5. Wait for Approval
Once you’ve sent your request and message, all you can do is wait. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days depending on the size and activity level of the subreddit.
Be Patient because the private subreddit’s moderators are usually volunteers and may not have time to get to requests right away.
If you’re approved, you’ll get a notification and the private subreddit will show up in your communities list.
What if you’re not approved?
Don’t take it personally subreddits are very picky and you can always try again later.
Even if you follow all the steps and still get denied, here’s what you can do:
- Improve Your Account: If your account is new or inactive, take some time to engage with other subreddits, get some karma, and build a positive profile.
- Try Again Later: Some private subreddits only open up to new members occasionally or are on a temporary pause for new requests. You can try again later when they might be accepting more members.
- Find Similar Communities: If you can’t join a private subreddit you wanted to, there might be other private or public communities that cover the same topic. Check those out and get involved!
Why do Subreddits go Private?
There are many reasons why a subreddit might be private:
- Sensitive topics: Some subreddits deal with private or personal topics such as support groups or NSFW content.
- Trolls and spam: Subreddit’s moderators make subreddits private to keep the space safe and spam-free.
- Quality control: Limiting who can join the community can keep the discussions focused and on topic.
For example, when a private subreddit like r/wallstreetbets got too popular many smaller private groups popped up to keep things calm.
Comparison: Public vs. Private Subreddits
| Feature | Public Subreddits | Private Subreddits |
| Access | Anyone can join and view content | Only approved members can join |
| Moderation | Basic rules, with some spam control | Stricter moderation, limited membership |
| Content Visibility | Visible to the public | Hidden from public view |
| Invitation Required | No | Yes, often invite-only |
| Exclusivity | Low | High |
Conclusion
Now that we covered all the steps of how to join a private subreddit, we can see that isn’t that hard to join a private subreddit.
Just make sure your account is in order, be respectful to the mods, and follow the rules. It may take some time to get approved but it’s worth it.
Private subreddits have exclusive content, smaller communities, and higher-quality discussions you won’t find in public subreddits.
From my experience the key is patience. I’ve joined several private subreddits and each time I found being active and respectful paid off.
If you’re polite and contribute positively you’ll have no problem to join a private subreddit of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I access a private subreddit?
To join private subreddits you need to follow these steps:
Log in to Reddit: Make sure you have an account.
Find the subreddit: If you know the subreddit’s name you can type the URL directly (e.g., reddit.com/r/subredditname).
Request to join: On the subreddit’s page click the “Request to Join” button.
Message mods: In some cases, you will need to send private message to the mods explaining why you want to join. Be respectful and mention how you plan to contribute to the community.
Wait for approval: Once you’ve submitted your request the mods will review it. Be patient, this may take some time.
- What happens when a subreddit is private?
When a subreddit is private, the community’s posts, comments, and content are hidden from the public.
Only members who are approved can see and post in the subreddit.
These subreddits are often used to keep the community tight, keep out trolls, or discuss sensitive topics.
If you’re not a member, you can’t access the content or even see posts in the subreddit.
- How do I invite someone to a private subreddit?
If you’re a member of a private subreddit and want to invite someone to join a private subreddit:
- Check the subreddit’s rules: Some subreddits allow members to invite others, and some don’t.
- Message the moderators: If allowed, you can either use the “Invite” feature if available or send private message to the moderators to request an invitation for your friend.
- Share the invitation link: If the moderators approve, they’ll often provide a link or add the new member.
4. Can you make a subreddit public?
Yes, the moderators of a subreddit can make it public. To do:
- Moderators access the settings: They can do this in the subreddit settings by selecting “Public” instead of “Private.”
- Be careful: If you make a subreddit public, all previous posts will become public so make sure this is what the community wants.
