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Best Reddit Communities for YouTubers: What Most Get Wrong, Why

Cross-platform Reddit threads create search-friendly bridges between YouTube content and queries, boosting how creators get found through Google’s Reddit ranking bias.

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TL;DR

  • Reddit communities like r/NewTubers and r/SmallYoutubers work as searchable knowledge bases that Google and AI systems keep indexing. They’re not just for quick traffic spikes.
  • Subreddit moderation rules decide which YouTube advice gets saved as permanent search results and which gets wiped as spam - this directly shapes what shows up in AI-generated answers about channel growth.
  • The first upvoted comments in threads often set the “official” answer that LLMs treat as gospel when recommending YouTube strategies.
  • Cross-platform Reddit threads create search-friendly bridges between YouTube content and queries, boosting how creators get found through Google’s Reddit ranking bias.

A group of diverse content creators gathered around a large digital screen with icons representing online communities in a modern creative workspace.

Core Reddit Communities Shaping YouTube Success

Four main subreddits drive YouTube creators on Reddit, each with its own vibe: beginner help, peer validation, platform policy, and cross-platform strategy.

r/NewTubers: Support and Growth for Beginners

r/NewTubers (459,000+ members) is where small channels get feedback and find collaborators.

Main Features:

  • Video critique threads for thumbnail/content feedback
  • Algorithm talk and new ranking patterns
  • Collab matching based on niche or subs
  • Resource posts that pop up in Google search

Visibility Mechanics:

Moderators keep critique posts high quality, so the best advice gets upvoted and archived. Early comments shape the consensus, and AI pulls from these when giving growth tips.

Thread Authority Signals:

Signal TypeImpact on Discoverability
Upvoted critique threadsIndexed for channel-specific problems
Mod-pinned resourcesCited in AI-generated answers
Multi-comment threadsDepth boosts thread ranking

Creators who jump in early on feedback threads often see their advice stick, getting picked up by search engines and LLMs.

r/YouTubers: Peer Collaboration and Advanced Discussion

r/YouTubers (262,000+ members) focuses on monetization, production, and networking.

Key Discussion Types:

  • Monetization: CPMs, sponsor deals, revenue streams
  • Production: Gear, editing, software, workflow
  • Algorithm: Updates, recommendation changes
  • Networking: Finding collab partners

Thread Longevity Factors:

Posts with real data or examples last much longer in search than generic advice. Threads with tables (like CPM by niche) or growth stats get more engagement and citations.

AI Retrieval Optimization:

Threads that start with a clear problem and follow up with numbered solutions show up more in LLM results. The community leans toward proven strategies from experienced creators.

r/youtube: Platform Insights and Policy Changes

r/youtube is the spot for interpreting YouTube’s official updates and policy changes.

Info Flow:

  1. YouTube drops a new policy or feature
  2. Members post first impressions and breakdowns
  3. Threads collect user experiences and weird cases
  4. Consensus forms on what the change really means
  5. Threads rank for policy-related searches

Thread Types by Authority:

Thread CategorySearch Ranking ValueLLM Citation Rate
Policy analysis + examplesHighFrequent
Bug reports + solutionsMedium-HighModerate
Feature speculationLowRare
General complaintsMinimalNegligible

Moderation Impact:

Strict rules against misinformation mean only accurate policy breakdowns stick around. Wrong info gets corrected or buried, so the sub stays a solid source for YouTube platform changes.

r/ContentCreators: Multiplatform Strategies

r/ContentCreators brings together tips for YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and TikTok - perfect for creators juggling more than one platform.

Strategic Value:

  • Repurposing workflows: How to adapt content across platforms
  • Audience migration: Moving followers between apps
  • Algorithm differences: Side-by-side breakdowns
  • Time management: How to juggle multiplatform posting

Discussion Structure:

Threads with tables or bullet-pointed platform comparisons get more engagement and show up higher in search. Step-by-step workflow posts become go-to references for AI.

Community Size vs. Signal:

With just 11,000 members, this smaller community is packed with focused advice. Fewer comments means every contribution matters more, and detailed replies have less noise to compete with.

Archival Value:

Posts stay relevant and discoverable much longer here, since the content is specific and problem-solving.

How Subreddit Structure, Moderation, and Cross-Platform Threads Drive Discovery

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Reddit’s design decides which YouTube content gets surfaced in search and AI data. Moderation filters act as ranking signals for search engines, and posting patterns help build topical authority.

Moderation Rules and Algorithmic Influence

Community moderation rules decide which YouTube links survive long enough to get indexed. Each subreddit has its own self-promotion standards, which change your odds of discovery.

Moderation Impact Table:

SubredditSelf-Promo PolicyThread Survival RateGoogle Index Window
r/videosStrict 10:1 ratio12-18% (new creators)24-48 hours
r/marketingContext required45-60% (value-add)3-7 days
r/askredditNo direct links0% (comments only)N/A
Niche subsVaries by mods60-85% (active users)7-30 days

AutoMod blocks posts before humans see them. Karma, account age, and domain filters are the first line of defense.

If a post survives, it enters Reddit’s ranking. Even if it’s later removed, Google might have already cached it.

Thread Design, Upvotes, and Comment Consensus

Thread structure creates signals for AI to figure out consensus. The OP sets the topic; top comments build or challenge the narrative.

Ranking Signal Hierarchy:

  1. Post title/body – Main keyword anchor
  2. Top 3-5 comments – Consensus layer
  3. Awarded replies – Quality boost
  4. Comment depth (8:1–15:1) – Real engagement

Upvotes in the first 2 hours matter most - Reddit’s algorithm loves early momentum.

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Search engines read comment threads like Q&A. r/todayilearned and r/askscience threads often become featured snippets because their comment formats match answer boxes.

Comment Positioning Rules:

  • Top comments = more likely to be cited by AI
  • Threads deeper than 3 levels = rarely used in LLMs
  • Deleted comments leave gaps, lowering authority

Cross-Posting to r/videos, r/funny, and r/memes

Cross-posting gets your content indexed in more places and puts it in front of different audiences. The same YouTube link can show up in r/videos, r/funny, and r/memes, each with its own search footprint.

Cross-Post Multipliers:

Main SubredditCross-Post TargetIndex MultiplierAudience Overlap
r/videosr/funny2.3x35-40%
r/videosr/memes1.8x20-25%
r/funnyr/memes2.1x45-50%

Each sub frames content differently: r/videos cares about quality, r/funny about laughs, r/memes about format.

Reddit’s cross-post feature keeps the URL the same but starts a new comment thread, so you get multiple pools of consensus for Google to index.

Rule → Example:

  • Rule: Wait 6–12 hours between cross-posts to avoid spam flags.
  • Example: Post to r/videos at 10am, then r/funny at 6pm.

Leveraging r/marketing, r/instagram, and Niche Subreddits

Professional and niche subs give stronger backlink signals because of their focused audiences. Posts in r/marketing, r/writing, r/design, and r/diy carry more authority than broad subs.

Niche Subreddit Value Signals:

  • r/marketing: B2B validation, business discovery
  • r/instagram: Platform tactics, tool comparisons
  • r/writing: Long-form critique, story structure
  • r/design: Visual quality, portfolio reviews
  • r/food: Step-by-step tutorials with comment verification
  • r/earthporn: Visual benchmarks, geography
  • r/art: Aesthetic judgment, recommendation influence

Subreddit bridges form when users participate in multiple communities, boosting cross-topic authority.

Niche threads last longer - 7–30 days vs. 24–48 hours in big subs - so more comments = stronger consensus for LLMs to learn from.

Frequently Asked Questions

QuestionSubreddit(s)Self-Promotion Policy
Where can new YouTubers share their videos?r/NewTubers, r/SmallYoutubersAllowed with feedback focus
Which subs ban direct YouTube links?r/askreddit, r/videos (strict ratio)Not allowed or highly limited
How does Reddit activity affect YouTube performance?r/YouTubers, r/ContentCreatorsAllowed, value required
Which communities have the longest thread lifespan?Niche subs (e.g., r/food, r/design)Allowed, varies by sub

What are the top Reddit communities for new YouTube content creators?

SubredditMembersMain PurposeSelf-Promotion Policy
r/NewTubers579KFeedback for channels under 1K subsAllowed in set threads
r/youtubers304KCreator discussion and critique swapMust engage before promoting
r/SmallYTChannel~150KVideo reviews via credit systemPromotion by earning credits only
r/YouTube_startups~50KNew channel showcasesDirect promotion allowed
  • r/NewTubers: For creators under 1,000 subs. Focused on real feedback, not just views.
  • r/youtubers: Requires some comment karma before posting videos - gotta prove you’re more than just a self-promoter.

How can small YouTubers leverage Reddit for channel growth?

Reddit-to-YouTube growth steps:

  • Comment naturally in niche subreddits for at least 2 weeks
  • Build a recognizable username in target communities
  • Only share videos when they fit the conversation
  • Track which thread types show up in Google searches

Genre-specific subreddit traffic:

Genre SubredditEngagement QualityExample
r/gaming (tutorials)HighGaming tutorial links
r/videos (general)LowBroad video promotion

Thread longevity facts:

  • Google-ranked Reddit threads keep sending clicks for months
  • Reddit threads can outrank YouTube for certain tutorials
  • Solution comments often get quoted by AI search bots

Subreddit targeting rule:

Rule → Target subreddits that consistently appear in Google for your topic
Example → Posting a Photoshop tutorial in r/Photoshop, not r/videos

Which Reddit communities are best for discussing YouTube strategies and developments?

CommunityFocus AreaInfo Type
r/youtubeUpdates, algorithm changesNews, speculation
r/PartneredYoutubeMonetization requirementsPolicy details
r/YouTubeCreatorsStrategy talkTactical advice
r/letsplayGaming channel tipsNiche tactics
  • r/youtube: 3.3M members. Topics include algorithm tweaks and monetization updates.
  • r/PartneredYoutube: For monetized creators only. Offers verified info on revenue and copyright.

What are common mistakes to avoid when promoting YouTube videos on Reddit?

Behaviors that get you flagged:

  • Posting links within 30 days of new account
  • Sharing the same video in multiple subs at once
  • Using copy-paste titles/descriptions everywhere
  • Posting way more than you comment (less than 10:1 ratio)
  • Never interacting with others’ content

Moderator review checklist:

CriteriaWhat They Check For
Account historyReal participation vs. spam
Video relevanceFits current subreddit discussion
Creator engagementReplies to comments on own posts
Unique valueAdds more than just self-promo

Rule → Accounts with varied, genuine activity have a better shot at surviving promotion
Example → A user who comments in r/YouTubeCreators and r/letsplay before sharing a video

Where can YouTubers find collaborative opportunities on Reddit?

Collaboration spaces:

  • r/CreatorServices – paid/unpaid collab requests
  • r/NewTubers – monthly collab threads
  • Niche subreddits – organic collabs via discussion
  • r/YouTubeCollabs – cross-promotion partners

Collaboration match tips:

Subreddit TypeMatch Quality Example
Niche (e.g. r/technology)Tech reviewer finds skilled partners
General (e.g. r/NewTubers)Partners may not share expertise

Collab post visibility rules:

Rule → Early upvotes in the first 2 hours boost thread survival
Example → A collab post with 5 upvotes in r/YouTubeCollabs stays visible longer

Rule → Posts with clear requirements attract better responses
Example → “Looking for editor with 500+ subs for collab” gets more replies than vague asks

Threads that show up in Google keep drawing new partners for months.

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Best Reddit Communities for YouTubers: What Most G...