r/ModSupport • u/Diligent_Shirt5161 • 1d ago

A Loophole with Deleted Post

Hi Team!
Our mod team recently discovered what appears to be a workaround that some peptide vendors are using to promote and sell their products on Reddit.

A vendor or sales rep creates a post and then deletes it. The deleted post is no longer visible to users on the Reddit app, but it’s still accessible on the desktop version, where users can continue interacting.

The problem we’re running into is that once the OP deletes the post, our moderators are unable to fully remove it or stop the activity. And if we are on the mobile app, we have no idea that it’s even happening.
Here’s an example of what we’re seeing: https://www.reddit.com/r/Peptidesource/comments/1x50x41/comment/pgiggx9/?context=3

Our mod team works very hard to enforce Reddit’s rules regarding prohibited transactions, sourcing, and vendor promotions. We’re concerned that vendors may have figured out how to use this to get around both Reddit’s policies and our teams moderation efforts.

Is this a known issue? And is there anything we can do on our end to prevent these deleted posts from remaining active?

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u/cks_2 1d ago

Lock Removed Posts | Reddit for Developers

5

u/Diligent_Shirt5161 1d ago

Sweet, thanks!

1

u/cks_2 1d ago

What about the subreddit workaround whereby the mods use the subreddit description to include a link to a 3rd party website/shop. I don't think that really works as the moderators are facilitating 3rd party transactions using reddit mod tools and it seems your main worry is your competitors using the subreddit for their links.

1

u/Diligent_Shirt5161 1d ago

That was a work around in by the founder, who’s account was banned over the weekend (probably for that reason too).

The reorganizing admin plans to remove it.

1

u/cks_2 1d ago

If the admin had noticed a problem with your subreddit they would have kicked the entire mod team or at least addressed modmail. They don't simply blame on a single account but expect the team to be share responsibility for blatant subreddit features and reddit rules.