New Reddit Feature Lets Users Hide Posts and Comments from Profiles

New Reddit feature lets users hide posts and comments from their profiles, offering enhanced privacy control. Announced on June 3, 2025, Reddit introduced a “Content and Activity” setting that empowers users to manage the visibility of their subreddit contributions, including posts and comments. This update responds to long-standing user demands for greater control over public profiles, especially for those engaging in sensitive topics like health or relationships. By allowing selective display of content, Reddit aims to boost user participation while maintaining a balance between privacy and community engagement. This article explores the feature’s functionality, benefits, limitations, and its impact on user experience and SEO.

Key Takeaways

• Reddit’s new “Content and Activity” setting allows users to hide posts and comments from their profiles.

• Users can selectively display content from specific subreddits or hide all public activity.

• The feature encourages participation in sensitive topics by offering privacy controls.

• Moderators retain access to public post history for 28 days, and usernames remain visible in communities.

• The update may influence Reddit’s SEO and user engagement strategies.

Understanding Reddit’s New Privacy Feature

What Is the “Content and Activity” Setting?

Reddit’s latest update, rolled out on June 3, 2025, introduces the “Content and Activity” setting under the “Curate your profile” section. This feature lets users decide which subreddit posts and comments appear on their public profiles. By default, all contributions remain visible, maintaining Reddit’s transparent community culture. However, users can now hide all public posts and comments or selectively display content from specific communities. This granular control addresses privacy concerns while preserving the platform’s open nature.

Why Reddit Introduced This Feature

The decision to implement this feature stems from user feedback about privacy, particularly for those discussing sensitive topics like mental health, relationships, or medical issues. Previously, users hesitant to engage in such discussions risked their activity being publicly visible on their profiles. The new setting encourages broader participation by allowing users to obscure certain activities, fostering a safer environment for open dialogue. According to Reddit, this could lead to increased user engagement, as individuals feel more comfortable contributing without exposing their entire posting history.

How the Feature Works

Accessing the “Curate Your Profile” Section

To use the new feature, users navigate to the “Curate your profile” section in their account settings. Here, they can toggle the visibility of their posts and comments. Options include:

• Show All: Keeps all posts and comments visible, as per Reddit’s default setting.

• Hide All: Conceals all public posts and comments from the user’s profile.

• Selective Display: Allows users to choose specific subreddits to display, hiding others.

This setup is available on both mobile and desktop versions of Reddit, ensuring accessibility across platforms.

Limitations of the Feature

While the feature enhances privacy, it has limitations. The settings apply on a per-community basis, not at the individual post or comment level, which simplifies management but restricts granularity. Additionally, moderators can still view a user’s public post and comment history for 28 days, and usernames remain visible within subreddit communities. This means the feature offers partial privacy rather than complete anonymity, a point Reddit emphasizes to maintain transparency.

Benefits of Hiding Posts and Comments

Enhanced User Privacy

The ability to hide posts and comments empowers users to control their digital footprint. For instance, someone discussing sensitive topics like dating advice or health concerns can now participate without worrying about their activity appearing on their public profile. This is particularly valuable for users who maintain professional or personal personas separate from their Reddit activity.

Encouraging Participation

By offering privacy controls, Reddit encourages users to engage more actively in communities they might have avoided. For example, a user might feel comfortable asking for advice in a mental health subreddit, knowing their question won’t be visible to profile visitors. This could lead to richer discussions and more diverse content, enhancing the platform’s value.

Supporting Sensitive Topics

The feature is a game-changer for subreddits focused on sensitive topics. Communities like r/relationships, r/health, or r/mentalhealth can expect increased participation as users gain confidence in their ability to control visibility. This aligns with Reddit’s mission to foster authentic conversations while respecting user boundaries.

Impact on Reddit’s Ecosystem

User Engagement and Community Dynamics

The “Content and Activity” setting could significantly boost Reddit’s user engagement. As users feel safer participating, subreddits may see a surge in posts and comments, particularly in niche or sensitive communities. This increased activity could enhance Reddit’s appeal as a go-to platform for authentic, user-generated content, strengthening its position against competitors like X or traditional forums.

SEO Implications for Reddit

From an SEO perspective, Reddit’s new feature could have a dual impact. On one hand, increased user activity may lead to more fresh content, which Google prioritizes for indexing. Subreddits with higher engagement could rank better for relevant keywords, as Google values active, authoritative communities. On the other hand, if users hide significant portions of their activity, it might reduce the amount of publicly indexable content, potentially affecting subreddit visibility. However, since usernames remain visible within communities, the core content remains accessible to search engines.

Balancing Privacy and Transparency

Reddit’s approach balances privacy with its commitment to transparency. By allowing moderators to access post history for 28 days, Reddit ensures community accountability while offering users control over their public profiles. This balance is crucial for maintaining trust and preventing abuse within subreddits.

Comparison with Other Social Media Platforms

Reddit vs. X

Unlike X, where users can set entire accounts to private, Reddit’s feature focuses on selective content visibility. This per-community approach suits Reddit’s structure, where users engage across multiple subreddits with varying levels of sensitivity. While X offers broader privacy controls, Reddit’s solution is tailored to its community-driven model, encouraging participation without requiring full account privacy.

Reddit vs. Traditional Forums

Traditional forums often lack granular privacy controls, relying on pseudonymous accounts or manual deletion of posts. Reddit’s new feature offers a middle ground, allowing users to maintain active profiles while hiding specific activities. This makes Reddit more flexible than older forum platforms, potentially attracting users seeking both community and privacy.

How to Optimize Your Reddit Profile with the New Feature

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Feature

1. Log In to Reddit: Access your account via the mobile app or desktop site.

2. Go to Settings: Navigate to the account settings menu.

3. Find “Curate Your Profile”: Locate the “Content and Activity” section.

4. Choose Visibility Options: Select whether to show all, hide all, or display specific subreddits.

5. Save Changes: Confirm your settings to update your profile visibility.

This straightforward process ensures users can quickly adjust their privacy settings without technical expertise.

Best Practices for Privacy

• Review Subreddit Activity: Regularly check which subreddits you’ve posted in and decide which to display or hide.

• Use for Sensitive Topics: Leverage the feature for communities discussing personal or professional matters.

• Monitor Moderator Access: Remember that moderators can view your activity for 28 days, so avoid sensitive posts in untrusted communities.

• Combine with NSFW Settings: Toggle NSFW content visibility for additional control over profile appearance.

SEO Strategies for Bloggers Covering Reddit’s Update

Leveraging the Keyword “New Reddit Feature Lets Users Hide Posts”

To rank for the keyword “new Reddit feature lets users hide posts,” bloggers should:

• Use LSI Keywords: Incorporate related terms like “Reddit privacy settings,” “hide Reddit posts,” “user profile control,” and “Content and Activity setting” naturally throughout the article.

• Create Evergreen Content: Write detailed guides that remain relevant, as Reddit’s feature is likely to evolve.

• Optimize Headings: Use H2 and H3 headings with semantic keywords like “Reddit profile privacy” or “manage subreddit visibility” to improve readability and SEO.

• Link to Authoritative Sources: Reference Reddit’s official announcements or trusted tech sites like TechCrunch to boost credibility.

Engaging Reddit Communities

Bloggers can amplify their content by sharing it in relevant subreddits like r/technology or r/privacy. Ensure posts align with subreddit rules and provide value, such as tips for using the new feature effectively. Engaging with comments can also drive traffic and improve content visibility.

Potential Challenges and Criticisms

Limited Granularity

The per-community limitation means users cannot hide individual posts or comments, which may frustrate those seeking precise control. For example, a single sensitive comment in an otherwise public subreddit cannot be hidden without concealing all activity in that community.

Moderator Access Concerns

Some users may be wary of moderators accessing their post history for 28 days. While this ensures community safety, it could deter participation in highly sensitive subreddits. Reddit may need to address these concerns with clearer communication or additional controls.

Misconceptions About Privacy

Reddit has clarified that the feature doesn’t offer true anonymity, as usernames remain visible in communities. Misunderstandings about this could lead to user dissatisfaction if expectations aren’t met. Bloggers should emphasize this distinction to set realistic expectations.

Future Implications for Reddit

Evolving Privacy Features

Reddit may expand this feature to include individual post-level controls or longer-term moderator access limits based on user feedback. Such updates could further enhance user trust and engagement, positioning Reddit as a leader in social media privacy.

Impact on Advertising

The feature could affect Reddit’s advertising model, as hidden posts may reduce the visibility of user-generated content for ad targeting. However, increased engagement might offset this by attracting more active users, providing advertisers with richer data on community interactions.

Summary

Reddit’s new “Content and Activity” setting, launched on June 3, 2025, marks a significant step toward enhancing user privacy. By allowing users to hide posts and comments from their profiles, either entirely or on a per-community basis, Reddit addresses long-standing concerns about public visibility. While the feature encourages participation in sensitive topics and may boost engagement, it has limitations, such as per-community controls and 28-day moderator access. For bloggers, this update presents SEO opportunities through targeted content and community engagement. As Reddit continues to evolve, this feature could redefine how users interact with the platform, balancing privacy with its open community ethos.

FAQs

1. What is Reddit’s new “Content and Activity” setting?

The “Content and Activity” setting allows users to control which posts and comments from subreddits appear on their public profiles, offering options to show all, hide all, or display specific communities.

2. Can I hide individual posts or comments with this feature?

No, the feature operates on a per-community basis, meaning you can only hide or show all activity from a specific subreddit, not individual posts or comments.

3. Do moderators still see my hidden posts?

Yes, moderators can access your public post and comment history for 28 days, even if hidden from your profile.

4. Does this feature make my Reddit activity completely anonymous?

No, the feature only hides posts and comments from your public profile. Your username and activity remain visible within subreddit communities.

5. How do I access the “Content and Activity” setting?

Log in to Reddit, go to account settings, find the “Curate your profile” section, and select your preferred visibility options under “Content and Activity.”

6. Will hiding posts affect my subreddit participation?

Hiding posts only affects your profile’s public view. You can still participate fully in subreddits, and your posts remain visible within those communities.

7. Can I use this feature on the Reddit mobile app?

Yes, the “Content and Activity” setting is available on both the mobile app and desktop versions of Reddit.

8. How does this feature impact Reddit’s SEO?

Increased user engagement may boost subreddit rankings, but hidden posts could reduce indexable content. Core community content remains accessible to search engines.

9. Can I hide NSFW content specifically?

While the feature doesn’t target NSFW content directly, you can hide activity from NSFW subreddits or use Reddit’s separate NSFW settings for additional control.

10. Will Reddit add more granular controls in the future?

Reddit may introduce individual post-level controls based on user feedback, though no official plans have been confirmed as of June 2025.