# Launch on r/startups

> Launch Llama directory submission tracker review — last reviewed 2026-08-25

- **Canonical:** https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories/reddit-r-startups
- **Markdown twin:** https://tools.launchllama.co/directory-spokes/reddit-r-startups.md
- **Directory:** Reddit – r/startups (reddit.com)
- **Submit URL:** https://reddit.com/r/startups
- **DR:** 91
- **Pricing:** Free
- **Category:** Community (#60 of 113 by DR in this category)
- **Referral traffic:** High
- **Backlink quality:** Weak
- **Link type:** Nofollow — reddit.com/r/startups post links use nofollow — value is founder community referral traffic, not backlink SEO

## Quick verdict

Subreddit launch posts — DR 91, free to submit. Worth it with authentic founder posts and comment engagement; skip if you want a permanent directory backlink.

**Best for:** Early-stage founders sharing milestones, lessons, or product demos via r/startups posts · Builders willing to follow strict r/startups promo rules and reply to every comment

## Approval & timeline

- **Time-to-live:** Posts publish immediately unless AutoModerator filters them — manual mod review can take minutes to hours.
- **Review:** r/startups moderators enforce strict self-promotion limits, account age, karma minimums, and feedback-first posting norms.
- **Common rejections:** Low-karma accounts, bare link drops, repeated launch spam, posts violating feedback Friday or promo day rules, or marketing-heavy copy without context.
- **Reputation:** One of the strictest promo subs — lurk and comment for weeks before posting product links.

## Pros

- DR 91 reddit.com with High community referral traffic on posts that gain traction
- Free — no paid listing or editorial queue
- Large founder audience for early feedback, advice, and beta users
- Comment threads surface positioning gaps and feature requests at scale

## Cons

- Backlink quality rated Weak — Reddit links are nofollow, not SEO
- Not a directory — no permanent listing page on your product
- Strict moderation removes off-topic promo — wasted effort if rules ignored
- Account karma and age gates block brand-new marketing accounts

## What you need before you submit

- Reddit account meeting r/startups karma and age requirements
- Read r/startups sidebar rules, flair requirements, and feedback Friday schedules
- Text post with context — what you built, why, traction, and what feedback you want
- Working demo link and screenshots embedded in post body
- 2–4 hours blocked to reply authentically to every comment

**Gotchas:**

- r/startups ≠ r/startup — different communities with different rules and size
- Cross-posting identical copy to multiple subs in one hour triggers spam filters
- Lead with story or question — bare “check out my startup” titles get downvoted
- Check for feedback Friday or designated promo threads before posting

## Submission mechanics

- **Account:** Reddit account — create a text or link post at reddit.com/r/startups/submit after meeting subreddit requirements.
- **Categories:** Post must fit r/startups topics — company building, founder questions, milestones; read flair rules.
- **Anchor text:** Post title and optional body link; outbound URLs use Reddit redirect wrappers with nofollow.
- **Link placement:** Ephemeral subreddit feed post — sinks within hours; not indexed as a product directory page.

## FAQ

### Is r/startups a product directory?

No — it is a Reddit subreddit for founder discussion. You publish a launch post, not a permanent directory listing.

### Does r/startups give dofollow backlinks?

No — Reddit uses nofollow on outbound links. Value is community traffic and feedback, not SEO.

### How is r/startups different from r/startup?

r/startups is larger with stricter promo rules. r/startup is a smaller community focused on early founder topics — check both sidebars.

### What karma do I need to post in r/startups?

Check current sidebar rules — requirements change and are often higher than smaller subs. Lurk and comment genuinely before posting product links.

## Related

- [Directory Submission Tracker](https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories)
- [Community directories](https://tools.launchllama.co/tools/launch-directories?category=community)
- [Directory backlink service](https://tools.launchllama.co/launch#directory-submissions)
- [llms.txt](https://tools.launchllama.co/llms.txt)