Can You Shorten a Reddit Link? What Reddit Allows in 2026
Reddit's help pages do not ban shorteners, but Reddiquette says don't use them for submissions. Here is what is documented, what is not, and the safest link for each case.
You can paste a shortened link into Reddit, but Reddit's own guidance leans against it, and individual communities can filter links by domain. For a post or comment link, the full link is the safer default.
This guide covers what Reddit's help pages say about links, what they leave out, and where a FattyURL short link helps or does not.
Short answer: Reddit's help pages do not ban shorteners outright, but Reddiquette lists them among things not to do, and redirects used to disguise a link's source count as spam. Post the full link on Reddit. Use a short link where you control the setting: print, email, QR codes, or chat outside Reddit.
Can you post shortened links on Reddit?
Technically yes, since Reddit links any address that starts with http:// or https://. But Reddiquette, Reddit's own etiquette page, lists using link shorteners among things not to do with new submissions. Treat a shortened link on Reddit as a risk, not a right.
Reddiquette says "there are few reasons to hide what you're linking to" and adds that if you must use a shortener, you should use its preview feature. Reddiquette is guidance, not a technical block.
Reddit's page on keeping spam out of a community goes further in one case. It calls a redirect spam when it is used to circumvent a domain block or to disguise a link's source. It does not mention link shorteners by name.
So what is documented is thin. The Reddit help pages we checked do not say that every shortener is blocked, and they do not publish a list of blocked shorteners. Anything beyond that is unconfirmed.
Why does Reddit remove or hide posts with short links?
Reddit's pages do not give a single reason. Two documented mechanisms can catch a short link: community moderators filtering links by domain, and Reddit's limits on how often new accounts can post.
Reddit's Automoderator help page says moderators can remove or flair posts by domain or keyword. A moderator who filters a short-link domain will catch every link on it.
The posting limit is separate. Reddit's help page on posting says there is a limit on how often people can post and comment in a community, aimed at spammers. Reddit says brand-new accounts with little karma may hit this filter, and earning a little karma by commenting can help.
Because the reasons overlap, a removed post is hard to diagnose from the outside. Check the community's rules first, then ask its moderators. If a link just does not open, see why a short link might not work.
How do I share a link to a Reddit post or comment?
Open the post or comment and use its Share option, then paste what you copy. The Reddit help pages we checked do not document the exact menu names for copying a link, so look for Share on the post or comment itself.
Reddit's help page on embedding says the Share button on a post or comment, on the desktop site, opens the embed options. That page does not explain how to get a plain link.
The Reddit help pages we checked do not mention redd.it or any Reddit short-link format. We cannot confirm from Reddit's documentation whether one exists for your link. Paste whatever the Share menu gives you, as given.
- Open the post or comment you want to share.
- Open its Share menu.
- Copy the link the menu gives you.
- Paste it into your message, post or comment as it is.
What should I do if my Reddit link is too long?
Hide it behind words instead of shortening it. Reddit supports link text in posts and comments, so readers see a phrase, not a long address. Nothing is disguised, because the link is a normal one.
Reddit's Formatting Guide gives the syntax: [text](URL). Raw addresses starting with http:// or https:// are linked automatically. If a complex address does not link correctly, wrap it in angle brackets.
Reddiquette also asks you to link to canonical and persistent URLs where possible. A temporary page that disappears is a worse choice than a stable one, so a short link that you cannot edit later adds risk of its own.
Which link type is safest on Reddit?
The full original link, or link text pointing to it, is the safest choice in almost every case. A short link makes sense only where Reddit's rules do not apply. The table below matches each situation to the safest option, using only Reddit's own pages.
Checked 1 November 2026.
| What you are sharing | Safest choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A link post in a community | Full original link | Reddiquette discourages shorteners; moderators can filter domains |
| A link inside a comment | Full link or [text](URL) | The Formatting Guide supports both |
| A Reddit post or comment link | Paste what Share gives you | Reddit's pages do not document a shorter format |
| A very long address | Link text, not a shortener | The Formatting Guide supports link text |
| Your own site or product | Full link, after reading the rules | Reddiquette's rule of thumb: about 1 in 10 submissions your own |
| A thread linked off Reddit (print, email, QR) | A short link is fine | Reddit's posting rules do not apply there |
When does a FattyURL link fit?
A FattyURL link fits where Reddit's rules do not apply: you share a Reddit thread somewhere else, such as an email, a slide, a printed page or a QR code. On Reddit itself, post the full link.
FattyURL is a free URL shortener. You do not need an account to shorten a link or make a QR code. Every link is checked against Google Web Risk when created, edited and clicked.
Some practical points when the link points to a Reddit thread:
- Without an account, links made since 7 October 2026 expire after 30 days without a click. A free account keeps links from expiring.
- A free account lets you edit a link's destination later, which helps if the thread moves.
- Free links may show ads. Links on a paid plan never do.
- A free account also shows click analytics, including referrer, so you can see where clicks came from.
For a QR code that opens a thread, make it from a short link on a free account so scans are counted. How to track QR code scans walks through it. To shorten a link now, use the FattyURL homepage.
When should I not use a FattyURL link?
Skip a short link when you post on Reddit, when a community's rules ask for original sources, and when you want to avoid any chance of a filtered post. Skipping it costs nothing.
- In a link post or comment: use the original link. Reddiquette discourages shorteners.
- For the destination of a free-site builder: some sites, such as Google Forms, need a verified free account at FattyURL.
- When readers may wonder where a link goes: Reddiquette says to avoid hiding it. See whether URL shorteners are safe.
For how short links behave on each platform, read short links on social media. For the basics of making one, see how to shorten a link.
FAQ
Does Reddit block URL shorteners?
The Reddit help pages we checked do not say so. Reddiquette discourages them, and moderators can filter links by domain. A shortener may work in one community and be removed in another.
Is there a Reddit short link format?
The help pages we checked do not mention redd.it or any Reddit short-link format. If Share gives you a link, paste it as given.
Why is my Reddit post link too long?
Reddit's pages do not explain link length. To tidy a comment, use [text](URL) so readers see words, not the address.
Can I use a shortener if I have to?
Reddiquette says to use the shortener's preview feature if you must. Check the community's rules first, since moderators decide what stays up in their community.
Does a link on a shortener stop working if Reddit removes the thread?
A short link redirects to the original address. If the Reddit thread is gone, the short link lands on that missing page. On a free FattyURL account you can edit a link's destination.
Sources
- Reddit Help: Reddiquette, read 1 November 2026
- Reddit Help: How do I keep spam out of my community?, read 1 November 2026
- Reddit Help: How do I post and comment on Reddit?, read 1 November 2026
- Reddit Help: How do I embed a Reddit post or comment?, read 1 November 2026
- Reddit Help: Formatting Guide, read 1 November 2026
- Reddit Help: Automoderator, read 1 November 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal or security advice. It was researched and drafted with the help of AI, and its facts were checked against the sources linked above, mostly each provider's own pricing, help and policy pages. URL shorteners, QR code tools and social platforms change their plans, prices and rules often, so confirm the details on the provider's website before you choose a plan, move your links or print a QR code. FattyURL is our own product. Spotted something out of date, or a FattyURL link being misused? Tell us and we will act on it.
