Flair
Also called: post flair, link flair, flair tag, flair required
Definition
Flair is a label a subreddit attaches to posts (post flair) or usernames (user flair). Post flair tags a post's type or topic, such as Question or Promotion, and many subreddits require it or use it to route self-promotion.
Flair is Reddit's tagging system. Each subreddit's moderators decide what flair exists and who can use it. There are two kinds: post flair, covered here, and user flair, which sits next to a username.
How post flair works
Reddit Help describes post flair as "a special tagging system that moderators can enable in their community." Mods use it to categorize content types, flag subtopics, or tag posts with removal reasons. Specifics from Reddit's documentation:
- A community can have up to 350 post flair templates.
- Mods can let users assign and edit flair on their own posts, or make some flair mod-only (users cannot edit mod-only flair applied to their post).
- Mods can require post flair. Reddit notes this only works if flair templates exist and users are allowed to assign them, which is why "flair required" errors appear when you try to post without choosing one.
- Clicking a flair shows every post in that community with the same flair. On the apps, tapping a flair tag does the same, and Reddit search supports a flair: filter (for example, flair:question).
You pick flair in the post composer, usually with a "Flair" or "Add tags" button. Changing it later is done from the post's menu if the community allows it.
Why it matters for marketers
Flair is how many communities fence off promotion. Common patterns:
- A Promotion, Self-promo or Show-off flair that is only allowed on certain days, or only inside a weekly thread.
- A Question or Recommendation request flair. Filtering a subreddit by that flair is one of the fastest manual ways to find people asking for tools.
- Mod-only flair such as "Removed: self-promotion," which tells everyone why a post came down.
Picking the wrong flair is one of the most common reasons a post is removed by AutoModerator, which can act on flair. If a post has a "Resource" flair but reads like an ad, mods notice.
Example
A founder wants to share a free template in a marketing subreddit. The rules say resources are welcome on Wednesdays with the "Resource" flair; promotional links need the "Promo" flair and go in the weekly megathread. Posting the template on Wednesday with "Resource" flair, with the template itself in the post body (not behind an email gate), follows the rules. Posting it Monday with "Discussion" flair gets it removed.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the closest-sounding flair instead of the one the rules specify.
- Using "Question" flair for a disguised pitch. Mods and readers see through it.
- Ignoring flair when searching. Flair filters are free audience research.
Frequently asked questions
What does "post flair required" mean on Reddit?
The subreddit requires every post to have a flair. Choose one in the post composer before submitting.
How do I add flair to a Reddit post?
In the post composer, select the flair or tags option and pick one of the community's flairs. If you cannot, only moderators can apply flair in that community.
Can I create my own flair?
Only moderators create flair templates. Some templates let users edit the text when they apply them.