My Journey Through Reddit: From Confused User to Music Subreddit Moderator
Let’s talk about Reddit — that vast, chaotic, and occasionally brilliant corner of the internet.
I first stumbled onto Reddit about four years ago while looking up something completely unrelated to music. Before I knew it, I’d fallen down the rabbit hole of subs, threads, and endless feeds. Somewhere in the middle of that chaos, I had an idea: “Maybe I can use Reddit to share my music reviews, post my blog articles, and promote indie artists.”
It sounded great in theory, but In practice…..Not quite so simple.
Learning the Hard Way: The Rules of Reddit
My first attempt was, let’s say, enthusiastic. I grabbed a few reviews from my website and started posting them in every subreddit that looked even remotely related to indie music or artist promotion.
Almost immediately, things went wrong. Posts disappeared. Comments were removed. In some cases, I even got banned — once permanently.
At the time, I couldn’t understand why. So I did what most new users do — I messaged the moderators to ask. The reply was short and sharp: “Read the rules.”
That was my first real lesson: every subreddit is like its own tiny country, with its own laws, culture, and even language. Some subs require specific tags in titles; others demand brackets, flair, or structured post formats. It’s all designed to fight spam and keep communities relevant — and while it’s frustrating at first, I now completely understand why those rules exist.
Cracking the Reddit Code
After a month or two of trial and error, I’d figured out where I could post legitimately. Still, self-promotion remained a minefield. Drop a link without context or conversation, and you’ll likely be flagged, reported, or banned again.
Eventually, I realized the best solution might be to build a space that matched what I needed — a community that welcomed indie music sharing and genuine conversation.
So I launched my own subreddit: r/NewMusicReview, where artists and listeners could connect more freely. Since starting it, the group has grown to around 4,500 members. It’s become a small but active hub for sharing reviews, discovering tracks, and encouraging collaboration.
Alongside that, I also created a few smaller subs for other topics like recording and guitar videos. I don’t heavily promote them, but they’ve found their audiences naturally.
Becoming a Moderator
After getting comfortable with my own subs, I was invited to help moderate a few others — Music Promotion, Spotify Playlists, and later, Music Marketing.
That last one is a big one: when I joined, it had around 40,000 members. Now it’s closer to 80,000. It’s a much stricter community with almost zero tolerance for self-promo. The focus is purely on discussing marketing strategy, release plans, fan engagement, and industry insights. Even a subtle link to your music or a screenshot of your Spotify page might get removed.
It’s a great example of how Reddit can be an incredible tool for learning — if you use it correctly.
Reddit as a Platform for Indie Artists
So, is Reddit worth your time as an indie artist?
Absolutely — if you understand how it works.
Since going public, Reddit has invested heavily in SEO, meaning Reddit threads often appear on the first page of Google results. When someone searches your name, your post, or even a phrase like “indie synthwave review,” there’s a real chance your Reddit content will show up.
Cross-posting (sharing your post from one subreddit to another) helps increase reach even further. Many of the reviews I share from my website end up gaining hundreds of views within days — sometimes more over a few months. You can’t always see who clicks the links, but you can be confident that real people are seeing your name and your work.
Tips for Artists Using Reddit
If you’re an artist thinking about diving in, here are a few tips from someone who’s learned through trial and error:
Read the rules — every subreddit is different.
Don’t spam links. Join discussions, comment, and engage first.
Add context when sharing your music. Tell people why they should listen.
Use cross-posting strategically to reach multiple relevant communities.
Be patient. Building visibility takes time, but it’s worth it.
At the end of the day, Reddit is still one of the best free platforms for indie artists. If you’re smart about how you use it, you can gain exposure, feedback, and even loyal listeners.
So if you’re looking to share your work or want advice on where to post, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to help other artists navigate the Reddit maze.
Have you used Reddit to promote your music or connect with fans?
Drop a comment below or message me on Instagram or through my website — let’s swap tips and help each other get seen.