LaunchWakeChannels / r/webdev vs r/programming
Head to head
r/webdev vs r/programming
Which is the better place to launch your product — and what does it take to post safely in each?
The short answer
r/webdev is the safer start (medium vs high ban risk) — a first launch is unlikely to get pulled if you follow the format. r/programming can pay off too, but only when your post fits its rules exactly; read them before you press publish.
The rules, side by side
r/webdev
Ban risk
Medium
Best time to post
Mon/Wed 9am ET
Audience
2.6M members · web developers
Strict 90/10 self-promo rule: 9 value posts per 1 promo. No links in titles. Showoff Saturday for projects. Frame as a guide/lesson, mention the tool as context only.
- Frame the post as a lesson, guide, or question — value first.
- Read the subreddit rules and respect any self-promo ratio or thread.
- Engage in the comments; mention your tool only as context.
r/programming
Ban risk
High
Best time to post
Weekday mornings ET
Audience
6M+ · general programming, skeptical
Technical articles only, no product promotion. Self-promo is quickly removed and downvoted. Only submit a genuinely substantive writeup that stands on its own.
- Frame the post as a lesson, guide, or question — value first.
- Read the subreddit rules and respect any self-promo ratio or thread.
- Engage in the comments; mention your tool only as context.
- Enforces a ~90/10 rule — 9 value posts for every 1 that promotes.
- Explicit limits on self-promotion and marketing language.
- Promotion is confined to a dedicated weekly/scheduled thread.
- Links in the title (or post body) trigger removal — keep them out.
- Actively moderated; off-guideline posts are removed fast.
- Explicit limits on self-promotion and marketing language.
Or skip the guesswork entirely.
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