800K members · Developers
Can you self-promote in r/selfhosted?
Only if you follow the 9-to-1 rule.
Follow Reddit's 9-to-1 guideline: for every 10 things you contribute, at most 1 is self-promotional. The other 9 are genuine, link-free value.
The rule
Spam / Self-Promotion / Affiliate Links
“Do not spam or promote your own projects too much. We expect you to follow this Reddit self-promotion guideline. Promoted apps must be production ready and have docs. No direct ads for web hosting or VPS. Only mention your service in comments if it’s relevant and adds value.”
Source: subreddit rules, last checked 2026-07-13. Read the full rules on Reddit →
Before you post
- Keep self-promotion under ~10% of your activity
The highest-intent moment
The safest way into r/selfhosted is not a post, it is a well-timed reply. Watch for: Tool replacement threads ('alternative to X'). Answer it genuinely first, then mention your product only if it directly helps.
From OneUp Today
Get found in r/selfhosted without the ban risk
OneUp watches r/selfhosted for those high-intent moments and drafts a personalized reply or DM in your voice. You review and send, no spam, no rule-breaking.
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<a href="https://oneup.today/tools/reddit-self-promotion-checker/selfhosted" style="display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;font:600 13px/1.4 -apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,Segoe UI,Roboto,sans-serif;color:#16231A;background:#F4F8F2;border:1px solid #B7D5B9;border-radius:8px;padding:6px 10px;text-decoration:none">r/selfhosted self-promotion: 9-to-1 rule · via OneUp Today</a>FAQ
Can I promote my product in r/selfhosted?
Only if you follow the 9-to-1 rule. Follow Reddit's 9-to-1 guideline: for every 10 things you contribute, at most 1 is self-promotional. The other 9 are genuine, link-free value.
What is r/selfhosted's self-promotion rule?
Per r/selfhosted's rules ("Spam / Self-Promotion / Affiliate Links "): "Do not spam or promote your own projects too much. We expect you to follow this Reddit self-promotion guideline. Promoted apps must be production ready and have docs. No direct ads for web hosting or VPS. Only mention your service in comments if it’s relevant and adds value."
How do I get customers in r/selfhosted without breaking the rules?
Instead of posting ads, reply to people already asking for a product like yours. In r/selfhosted the highest-intent moment is: Tool replacement threads ('alternative to X'). Lead with a genuine, specific answer and mention your product only when it directly helps.