Hide Reddit Posts & Comments From Your Profile

Reddit Enhances User Privacy with New Profile Settings

On Tuesday, Reddit unveiled a new feature designed to grant users greater control over the visibility of their activity on the platform.

The company is implementing an update that introduces a “Content and Activity” setting. This allows individuals to determine which contributions from the subreddits they frequent will be displayed on their user profiles.

Controlling Content Visibility

By default, all posts and comments will remain publicly visible, maintaining the current functionality. However, this new setting empowers users to conceal all of their public posts and comments, including those directly featured on their profiles.

Alternatively, users can opt for selective display, showcasing posts and comments from chosen communities while keeping activity from others hidden.

This setting is accessible within a newly created “Curate your profile” section. Here, users can manage their content’s visibility.

An option to toggle the visibility of NSFW (Not Safe For Work) content and activity is also provided. A Followers toggle is available to show or hide the user’s follower count.

Implications of the Update

This update introduces a new level of privacy to Reddit, which was previously unavailable.

In the past, many Reddit users utilized “throwaway” accounts when seeking to discuss sensitive topics. However, with Reddit’s evolution into a more advertising-driven company following its IPO, maintaining user data – such as engagement and interests – linked to a single profile is likely preferred for improved ad targeting.

The addition of this feature may also encourage increased user participation. Users will now have the assurance that they can partially obscure their activity from public view.

For instance, individuals might be more willing to contribute to discussions on delicate subjects, such as relationship advice or health concerns, knowing they can control the visibility of their contributions.

Limitations and Considerations

Reddit clarifies that the option to hide or display posts and comments operates on a per-community basis, rather than at the level of individual posts or comments.

This approach simplifies settings management, although it means users cannot selectively choose which specific comments and posts are visible.

It’s important to note that this curation option does not guarantee complete privacy. A user’s username will still be associated with their posts and comments within the communities themselves.

Furthermore, moderators will retain access to a user’s public post and comment history for a period of 28 days, regardless of the user’s visibility settings.

This access is intended to assist moderators in reviewing user history when posts or comments are made, and when handling “modmail” requests, such as join requests for restricted communities.

Additional Updates

Alongside this privacy enhancement, Reddit has introduced updated personal activity summaries.

These summaries provide users with an overview of their activity, including their Karma count, total contributions, account age, and the communities in which they are active. The latter will be determined by the user’s Content and Activity settings.

These changes collectively aim to provide Reddit users with more control over their online presence and a more tailored experience on the platform.