Alt account
Also called: alt, alternate account, multiple reddit accounts, second account
Definition
An alt account is any additional Reddit account owned by the same person, such as a separate work, hobby or brand account. Reddit allows multiple accounts, but using them to vote on the same content, evade bans or fake support breaks its rules.
An alt account (short for "alternate") is a second, third or tenth Reddit account belonging to the same person. Unlike a throwaway, an alt is usually kept long-term: one for work topics, one for hobbies, one for a brand.
What Reddit allows
Reddit's help center is clear that alts are fine: "You're more than welcome to create multiple Reddit accounts," and you can verify them with the same email address. A few mechanics:
- If you sign up with Apple or Google single sign-on, each Apple or Google account can only be linked to one Reddit account at a time. You have to disconnect it before creating another Reddit account with it.
- You cannot give awards to your own content, and Reddit says that includes content posted through any alternative account you own.
What gets accounts banned
- Voting from more than one account on the same post or comment. Reddit: "This is considered vote manipulation which violates the Reddit Rules." See vote manipulation.
- Ban evasion. Using another account to keep participating in a community that banned you. Reddit says this can result in a sitewide suspension. See ban evasion.
- Sockpuppeting. Using alts to agree with yourself, ask staged questions or pile onto critics. See sockpuppet.
- Inflating communities. Reddit's spam policy lists using multiple accounts to artificially inflate a subreddit's subscriber count, and automating the creation of multiple accounts.
Because these violations are about how accounts are used together, the consequences can reach every account involved, not just the one that broke the rule.
Why it matters for marketers
Separating a brand account from a personal account is a reasonable use of an alt. Some founders prefer a personal account for general participation and a clearly labeled brand account for official replies. Agencies that post for clients need to be especially careful: one person running several accounts in the same threads looks exactly like sockpuppeting, even when the intent was innocent.
Simple rules that keep you safe:
- Never have two of your accounts in the same thread.
- Never vote with more than one.
- Make the brand account obviously the brand.
- If one account gets banned from a subreddit, all your accounts stay out of it.
Example
A marketer runs both a personal account and a company account. A thread criticizes the product. The company account replies with an explanation, and the personal account upvotes it and adds "I've used it, works great." Both accounts belong to the same person. That is the pattern Reddit's rules describe, and a suspension of both accounts is a realistic outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Is it against Reddit's rules to have two accounts?
No. Reddit explicitly allows multiple accounts. What is banned is using them to vote on the same content, evade bans or mislead people.
Can Reddit tell if two accounts belong to the same person?
Reddit does not publish exactly how, but it does enforce ban evasion and vote manipulation across accounts, and moderators can report suspected ban evasion for review.
Should my company have its own Reddit account?
It can help, especially with Reddit Pro, which is designed for business accounts. Keep it clearly labeled and follow each community's rules on brand accounts.