Reddit is a fascinating place. The website hosts forums for virtually every topic imaginable, giving users an open space to exchange opinions, share news, and often engage in heated discussions.
But some of those arguments can get you temporarily banned. If you’re an avid Redditor, getting banned can be heartbreaking, especially if you don’t know why it happened. But regardless of the cause, you can still participate in your favorite subreddits using certain techniques.
This article will tell you how to get around a Reddit ban, describe the possible reasons why you were banned, and discuss Reddit’s ban system in detail.
How to get around a Reddit ban
If you’ve been banned from Reddit, you can get around that unfortunate situation. But before we move on to the potentially successful methods, let’s see what won’t work.
You cannot bypass a permanent ban from Reddit by creating a new account. When a Redditor is banned, the original account does not take the blame, but rather the person who owns the account. In other words, a permanent ban from Reddit is a serious matter and carries consequences that won’t go away on their own.
On that note, let’s move on to the tried and true unban methods.
Appealing to the site authorities
The first and most direct method is to try to contact a subreddit moderator. Once you explain the problem, the moderator may be willing to lift the ban. This approach will be effective if you have been banned from a particular subreddit.
Alternatively, you can send an appeal to a site administrator using the appeal form. According to Reddit, each appeal will be reviewed, although that does not mean the ban will be lifted.
If those methods are unsuccessful, here’s how to get around a Reddit ban using alternative techniques.
Using a VPN
If none of the legitimate methods work, you can try returning to Reddit by masking your IP address. However, please note that these methods do not comply with Reddit’s terms of use. Bypassing a ban without permission can result in a permanent site-wide ban.
Virtual private networks (VPNs) allow you to connect to the Internet using a server located somewhere else in the world. Changing the server means changing its IP address. Additionally, a VPN can completely mask your device online, making it difficult for Reddit to discover that you are the same user who was banned before.
Some of the best VPNs virtually guarantee data security, making this method the safest option to bypass the Reddit ban.
Using a proxy
You can redirect your Internet traffic through a proxy. Just like a VPN, a proxy will use a different server and change your IP address. In terms of accessing Reddit, the result will be the same: you will probably be able to use the website again.
However, a proxy does not have the robust security infrastructure of a VPN. In other words, your data passing through a proxy server could be compromised, making this solution not ideal.
Change DNS server
The Domain Name System (DNS) is responsible for mapping an IP address to the appropriate domain name. Therefore, changing your DNS server will effectively modify the way your device communicates with the Reddit website.
You can modify DNS settings yourself or find a dedicated service for that purpose. The latter option will be more expensive but may offer more security. On the other hand, switching to a different DNS server on your own can cause serious security problems.
The DNS service monitors all your traffic, which means you are sharing data with unknown third parties. Worse yet, DNS servers can be compromised by hacking attacks, putting you at risk of data theft, phishing, and similar forms of cybercrime.
We should note that going to a Reddit official is the only legitimate way to lift a Reddit ban. The next best alternative is to use a VPN, which can be useful for purposes other than accessing Reddit.
While proxy and DNS techniques can be effective in getting you back to the site, we would recommend them only to expert users who know what they are doing. It’s not worth losing personal data or compromising your system to regain Reddit privileges.
Possible reasons for the ban
If you decide to request an unban through a moderator or administrator, the reason you were banned in the first place will be the most important information.
Reddit can ban users (or moderators, for that matter) for two reasons: violation of the content policy or suspicious activity.
Content Policy Violations
If your account is responsible for a violation of the Content Policy, you may be banned from a particular subreddit or have your account suspended from the entire site. A subreddit ban will prevent you from posting content, although you will still be able to see what others are posting.
In some cases, such as attempting to bypass a subreddit ban, the account could be suspended site-wide. Such a suspension will completely block you from Reddit.
Violations of Reddit’s Content Policy may include:
- Bullying, hate speech or other forms of online violence.
- Prohibit circumvention, spam, fraud and other content manipulation techniques.
- Jeopardize the privacy of other users.
- Post explicit content that involves or is directed at minors.
- Deceive others by impersonating another real person, authority figure, or legal entity.
- Using Reddit for illegal activities.
- Trying to compromise the Reddit website.
Suspicious activities
Reddit may deny access to users if the site detects unusual traffic related to the user’s IP address. Accessing your account from a suspicious location or using a previously unknown IP may raise a red flag.
However, suspicious activity won’t actually get you banned. Instead, Reddit will lock your account and ask you to change your password.
Once you submit a new password and log in to Reddit with it, the site will unlock your account. At that point, it would be best to check your account activity and try to determine what caused the problem. For example, you may have given another app permission to access your Reddit account, which you can revoke to prevent further blocking.
How long do Reddit bans last?
The usual Reddit ban is temporary and doesn’t last long. A temporary ban could limit your access to the site for only a few hours. The ban could last a maximum of two or three weeks or, in exceptional circumstances, up to a month.
On the other hand, permanent bans are, as the name suggests, permanent. This type of ban rarely occurs on Reddit, as it is a sign that the user is no longer welcome on the site. If you have received a permanent ban, you will not be able to file an appeal; It is a one-way path.
How does a Reddit ban work?
Reddit uses various methods to impose and secure bans. Firstly, the site uses cookies that remain on your system when you are not on Reddit. Cookies help the website connect an account to a particular device as a means of identifying inpidual users.
Reddit then tracks the banned IP addresses. Once you are banned, your IP address is blacklisted, meaning no device using the same IP can access the site.
Finally, artificial intelligence technologies, such as machine learning, use advanced algorithms to detect potential ban evaders. The more people try to bypass a Reddit ban, the better the AI will be at preventing such attempts.
Restore your access to “The Front Page of the Internet”
Regardless of why you were banned from Reddit, submitting a request to the site’s authorities will be your best option to regain access in a way that doesn’t violate Reddit’s policies. Before taking any further action, consider the reasons for your ban and determine whether you have a legitimate claim for your appeal. If you do, chances are everything will turn out fine.
Did you manage to bypass the Reddit ban? Why were you banned? Let us know in the comments below.
