r/smallbusiness Rules & Posting Guide
r/smallbusiness is a support community for small business owners. The mods actively protect it from service providers trying to drum up business. Know the rules before engaging.
How to Post Safely in r/smallbusiness
Understand who this community serves
r/smallbusiness is for small business owners helping each other. If you're a service provider (marketer, accountant, developer), tread carefully — the rules are written to keep solicitation out.
Ask or answer with genuine intent
Post about real challenges you face, or answer questions with advice you'd give a friend. Don't angle your answers toward your paid services.
Verify before posting
Use the promotion risk checker to ensure your post or comment doesn't read like a pitch, even unintentionally.
Key Rules for r/smallbusiness
No solicitation or service promotion
Do not advertise your services, offer 'free consultations', or DM people who ask questions. This is the most strictly enforced rule.
No lead generation disguised as advice
Answering questions with 'DM me for help' or 'My agency handles this — reach out' is immediately removed and may result in a ban.
No surveys or market research without approval
Posting surveys, polls, or research questionnaires requires mod approval. Unapproved research posts are removed.
Be respectful and constructive
Many posters are first-time business owners asking basic questions. Dismissive or condescending responses are not tolerated.
No 'What business should I start?' posts without effort
Posts asking what business to start must show research, budget, skills, and constraints. Zero-effort posts are removed.
No crowdfunding or investment links
Links to GoFundMe, Kickstarter, or similar platforms are treated as promotional content and removed.
Common Reasons Posts Get Removed
Common Posting Mistakes in r/smallbusiness
Offering your services in comments
Even well-intentioned offers like 'I'm a bookkeeper, happy to help for free' are treated as solicitation. Give the advice directly instead.
Posting about your product for small businesses
If you built a tool for small businesses, this is not the place to announce it. The community treats any product post from creators as promotion.
Asking lazy 'What business should I start?' questions
These posts flood the sub if not filtered. Include your budget, skills, location, and what you've considered so far.
Linking to your own blog or content
Even if the content is relevant and helpful, linking to your own website triggers the promotion filter. Share the advice directly in-thread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Post Safely in r/smallbusiness
Avoid accidental self-promotion violations. Our free tool breaks down r/smallbusiness rules so you can contribute without getting flagged.
Use Rules Summarizer Free