How to Use Reddit for Link Building and Domain Authority Author: Jack Gierlich Organization: Index & Thread (https://indexthread.com) Published: March 27, 2026 Category: Guide License: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Keywords: Reddit link building, Reddit backlinks, Reddit domain authority, Reddit SEO, nofollow links --- SUMMARY Reddit links are nofollow, but Reddit is one of the most effective link earning platforms. This guide covers how Reddit generates indirect backlinks through journalist citations, blogger content inspiration, and roundup inclusions. Includes a link-earning content strategy and measurement framework. --- THE NOFOLLOW MYTH Google treats nofollow as a "hint" since 2019. The value of Reddit for link building is not the links you post. It is the links other people create because of your Reddit presence: journalists citing threads, bloggers expanding Reddit discussions into articles, and researchers referencing community data. --- THREE INDIRECT LINK MECHANISMS 1. Source thread citations — journalists link to Reddit threads as sources 2. Content inspiration links — bloggers turn Reddit discussions into posts with backlinks 3. Roundup inclusions — "Best of Reddit" collections link to high-value threads --- JOURNALIST CITATION PATTERNS Major publications (The Verge, Ars Technica, CNBC) routinely cite Reddit. To earn citations: provide original data, expert analysis, and contrarian perspectives backed by evidence. --- LINK-EARNING CONTENT TYPES 1. Original research and data 2. Comprehensive how-to guides 3. Industry benchmarks 4. Contrarian analysis with evidence 5. Case studies with real numbers --- WHAT NOT TO DO - Dropping links in comments - Creating posts designed to link to your site - Using Reddit as a link distribution channel - Buying upvotes on link-containing posts - Astroturfing link placements Domain-level bans are permanent. Reddit maintains a blocklist. --- RELATED - Reddit SEO Services: https://indexthread.com/reddit-seo - Reddit for SEO Guide: https://indexthread.com/newsletter/reddit-for-seo-how-reddit-drives-organic-search-traffic - How to Get Cited by AI: https://indexthread.com/newsletter/how-to-get-cited-by-chatgpt-and-perplexity - Reddit Marketing ROI: https://indexthread.com/newsletter/how-to-track-reddit-marketing-roi