Reddit made major API changes in April 2023 that changed how users view deleted posts. Many third-party apps had to shut down their services. Users started looking for reliable ways to access removed content.
The good news is that you can still retrieve deleted content. Tools like Reveddit and Unddit work great for this purpose. The Wayback Machine and Pushshift’s database, which is 8 years old, let you access removed posts and comments too.
This piece shows you the best ways to find and view deleted Reddit content. You’ll learn how to use different tools step by step. We’ll also cover what each tool can and can’t do, helping you pick the quickest way that fits your needs.
Why Reddit Posts Get Deleted
Reddit posts vanish due to automated removals or user actions. Users need to understand these deletion mechanisms to better find lost content and use the platform effectively.
Common reasons for post deletion
The content moderation system on Reddit removes about 6% of all posts each year. Spam makes up more than 99% of these removals. Each subreddit follows specific rules that can trigger post deletions. The platform removes posts from new accounts and users with low karma scores to prevent spam.
Subreddit moderators remove posts that break community guidelines or Reddit’s content policy. These posts might have wrong flairs, inappropriate content, or topics that don’t fit the community. Posts with unclear wording, typos, or poor formatting often get deleted to keep content quality high.
Users delete their own posts due to several reasons:
- Their online reputation suffers from outdated or wrong information
- Posts receive too many negative comments
- Content reveals private information by mistake
- Questions already have answers elsewhere
How Reddit’s deletion system works
Moderator-removed posts disappear from the subreddit’s main feed. Users can still access these posts through direct URLs. The post stays on the user’s profile but won’t show up during general browsing.
Reddit uses different removal types:
- Moderator removals: Subreddit moderators mark these as “removed”
- User deletions: Content becomes inaccessible and shows as “deleted”
- Administrative removals: Site-wide violations appear as “Removed by Reddit”
Automated tools handle about 131 million post removals. These tools look for specific keywords, phrases, and patterns that might break rules or indicate spam.
Reddit’s system has unique features. Users who delete their accounts show up as “deleted” on their posts, but the content stays visible unless removed. Moderators can also use shadow banning, a tool created to curb spam accounts.
Data licensing agreements require licensees to stop using deleted posts. Reddit provides tools to help automate public content deletions. The platform can’t guarantee that third parties remove unauthorized copies of public content.
Users with hidden identities and throwaway accounts often delete their posts. This suggests people remove content beyond protecting their identity. Posts with language that attacks others’ identities tend to get deleted by both users and moderators.
Basic Methods to View Deleted Posts
Reddit doesn’t officially let you access deleted content, but you can use several reliable ways to get back removed posts. These methods work best with posts that stayed public for a while before they disappeared.
Using Google Cache
Google’s cache is the quickest way to see Reddit content that was deleted recently. Here’s how to find cached versions:
- Open Google Chrome and type the Reddit post URL in the search bar
- Look for the three vertical dots next to the search result
- Click the “Cached” option from the dropdown menu
You’ll know you’ve found the right page when you see “webcache.googleusercontent.com” in the URL. This works great for posts that were taken down in the last few days, since Google updates its cache regularly.
The Wayback Machine method
The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine keeps snapshots of web pages over time. This makes it a great tool to find older deleted content. Here’s what you need to do:
- Go to web.archive.org
- Type in the Reddit post URL (make sure to remove extra parameters)
- Pick from the calendar dates that show archived versions
- Select specific timestamps to view different snapshots
The Wayback Machine shows blue circles on its calendar that tell you when the page was saved. Popular subreddits and posts usually have multiple snapshots, so you’re more likely to find what you’re looking for.
Reddit’s own search features
Even after posts are deleted, you can often find traces through Reddit’s search. Try these approaches:
- Search using keywords from the deleted post
- Check if anyone took screenshots
- Look for reposts or discussions about the original content
These methods have some limits. Posts that were removed right after they went up might not be saved anywhere. The Wayback Machine can’t show you content that was deleted before it could save a copy.
To get the best results:
- Clean URLs: Take out tracking parameters and extras
- Multiple Attempts: Check different timestamps if your first try fails
- Cross-Reference: Look at results from different methods
- Time Sensitivity: Move fast with recently deleted content
These simple approaches work best with:
- Posts that stayed public for a long time
- Content from busy subreddits
- Posts that got lots of engagement
- URLs you saved before deletion
Each method has its strengths. Google Cache is great for recent deletions, while the Wayback Machine helps you find older content. Reddit’s search features add value by showing related discussions and possible reposts.
Advanced Tools for Finding Deleted Content
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Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Lost Posts
Getting back deleted Reddit posts isn’t easy, but you can find valuable content that seems lost forever with the right tools and methods. Let me guide you through finding and getting back those lost posts to give you the best chance of success.
Finding post URLs
You’ll need the original URL of a deleted Reddit post first. Here are some ways to track it down if you didn’t save it:
- Search your browser history: The URL might still be in your browser’s history if you viewed the post recently.
- Use Reddit’s search function: Type keywords from the post title or content into Reddit’s search bar. You might find the original URL through related discussions even if the post is gone.
- Google search: Add “site:reddit.com” to the post title in a Google search to find cached versions or discussions about the original post.
- Check your Reddit profile: The post might show up in your activity log if you commented or upvoted it.
- Use subreddit-specific tools: Many subreddits keep their own archives or logs, which help find deleted content.
The next step begins once you have the URL.
Using archive tools effectively
Several archive tools can help you get back deleted content. Here’s how to use the best ones:
- Reveddit:
- Head to reveddit.com and type the post URL or username.
- The tool shows deleted posts and comments in red.
- This works best for content removed by moderators.
- Unddit:
- Change “reddit.com” to “unddit.com” in the post URL.
- The tool gets deleted posts and comments from its database with Reddit’s familiar look.
- The Wayback Machine:
- Visit web.archive.org and enter the post URL.
- Look through available snapshots for archived versions.
- Some posts might not be there, especially short-lived ones.
- PushShift:
- Search.pullpush.io lets you look up specific usernames, subreddits, or keywords.
- The database often has posts that other tools miss.
- Google Cache:
- Look up the post URL on Google.
- Click the arrow next to the URL and select “Cached.”
- This works best for posts deleted recently.
Try multiple methods since these tools might not get everything back. Each tool captures different content at different times.
Handling different types of deleted content
Reddit content gets deleted in various ways, and each needs its own approach:
- Moderator-removed posts:
- These still show up on user profiles but not in subreddits.
- Reveddit and Unddit work great for these.
- User-deleted posts:
- These are harder to get back.
- PushShift works best since it captures content quickly.
- Shadowbanned content:
- Posts might seem deleted but are just hidden.
- Try viewing them while logged out or from another account.
- Automatically removed posts:
- Subreddit moderators might restore posts caught by spam filters or AutoModerator.
- Deleted images and videos:
- Visual content is tougher to recover.
- Try reverse image searches or look for reposts on Reddit and other sites.
- Deleted comments:
- Resavr specializes in getting back deleted comments when the main post stays up.
Use these recovery methods responsibly. Some posts get deleted for good reasons, and privacy matters.
Your chances of success improve if you:
- Start quickly after deletion
- Try several tools
- Stay patient while archives update
- Look for discussions about the deleted content
This guide gives you the tools and techniques to handle deleted Reddit posts better. You can now find lost content on one of the internet’s biggest platforms, whether for research, information recovery, or curiosity.
Tips for Better Results
Getting back deleted Reddit content depends on how well you know the platform’s archive system and time limits. Many third-party tools have hit roadblocks since Reddit changed its API in 2023. This makes it vital to find better ways to search.
Timing your searches
The right timing makes a huge difference in getting content back. Here are the main things to think about:
- Archive Windows: Third-party tools now mostly pull up comments and threads from before June 2023 because of API limits. Older stuff tends to show up more in established archives.
- Cache Availability: Google’s cache keeps recent backups of web pages that let you grab newly deleted content. Your chances go up if you try to recover stuff right after it’s deleted.
- Platform Behavior: Reddit keeps deleted posts in its database for a while, though they stay hidden from public view. The moderators can still see some deleted content in their subreddits.
Understanding archive limitations
Archive tools have limits that affect how well they work. Here’s what you need to know:
Content Recovery Challenges:
- You might not get everything back – formatting and attachments often go missing
- Posts that users delete themselves are harder to find
- Cached versions sometimes have old info
System Constraints:
- Your browser settings matter – Firefox and Edge users need to turn off Strict Tracking Protection
- Big posts and deep archives take longer to load
- Some tools can’t grab content that was removed before they saved it
Technical Considerations:
- Archive sites take snapshots now and then instead of keeping everything
- Cached versions might disappear without warning
- You should check if third-party tools are safe and reliable
Social media platforms never aimed to protect privacy. Once something goes online, someone can probably still find it even after deletion. Sometimes, deleting posts actually makes data-scraping agencies pay more attention.
To get the best results:
- Keep local copies of anything important
- Move fast when you find deleted posts you need
- Be careful with third-party tools to protect your privacy
- Look in multiple archives to find what you need
The internet works in funny ways: stuff meant to last forever disappears, but deleted content often sticks around. This helps set realistic expectations when trying to recover content.
You can still recover deleted Reddit posts in several ways, even after recent API changes affected many third-party tools. Google Cache and the Wayback Machine provide quick solutions to retrieve posts. Tools like Reveddit and Unddit let you dig deeper into removed content.
Quick action and knowing each method’s limits will determine your success rate. Your chances of getting back deleted posts improve by a lot when you use multiple approaches together. Understanding how Reddit handles post deletion helps you know what to expect.
These tools help you access deleted content, but you should be careful when trying to recover removed posts. Some content gets deleted to protect privacy and safety, so you need to use these recovery methods responsibly.
Reddit post recovery keeps changing as platforms update their rules and introduce new tools. The best way to handle important Reddit information is to stay updated about new recovery methods and keep backup copies of valuable content.
Here are some FAQs about how to view deleted Reddit posts:
Can you view deleted posts on Reddit?
Yes, you can view deleted posts on Reddit using third-party tools like Reveddit or Unddit. These platforms allow you to see deleted or removed content by accessing cached versions of Reddit pages. If you’re wondering how to view deleted posts on Reddit, these tools are your best option, as Reddit itself does not provide a way to see deleted content.
How to see deleted subreddits?
To see deleted subreddits, you can use third-party tools like Reveddit or the Wayback Machine, which archives web pages. These tools can help you access cached versions of deleted subreddits. If you’re looking for how to view deleted posts on Reddit, these methods can also be applied to subreddits that have been removed or deleted.
Are Reddit posts permanently deleted?
Reddit posts are not permanently deleted in the sense that they can sometimes be recovered using third-party tools like Reveddit or Unddit. These platforms cache Reddit content, allowing users to view deleted posts on Reddit. However, once a post is deleted, it is no longer visible on Reddit itself unless restored by a moderator.
Are deleted Reddit posts saved?
Deleted Reddit posts are not saved on Reddit’s official platform, but they may be cached by third-party tools like Reveddit or Unddit. If you’re wondering how to view deleted posts on Reddit, these tools can help you access previously deleted content. Reddit itself does not store deleted posts for public access.
Are deleted Reddit posts still visible?
Deleted Reddit posts are not visible on Reddit itself, but they may still be accessible through third-party tools like Reveddit or Unddit. If you’re looking for how to view deleted posts on Reddit, these platforms can show cached versions of the content. However, visibility depends on whether the post was cached before deletion.
Is reveddit legit?
Yes, Reveddit is a legitimate tool that allows users to view deleted or removed Reddit posts. It works by accessing cached versions of Reddit content, making it a reliable option for those wondering how to view deleted posts on Reddit. However, it only shows content that was cached before deletion.
How do I view old Reddit posts?
To view old Reddit posts, you can use Reddit’s search function or browse through a user’s post history. If the posts were deleted, you can use third-party tools like Reveddit to view deleted posts on Reddit. These tools cache content, allowing you to access older or removed posts.
Is Reddit left leaning?
Reddit is often perceived as left-leaning due to the political leanings of many of its users and popular subreddits. However, the platform hosts a wide range of communities with diverse viewpoints. If you’re looking for how to view deleted posts on Reddit, political discussions are among the types of content you might find using third-party tools.
Is it possible to see deleted Reddit accounts?
No, it is not possible to see deleted Reddit accounts, as they are permanently removed from the platform. However, you can sometimes view the content posted by deleted accounts using third-party tools like Reveddit, which cache posts and comments. If you’re wondering how to view deleted posts on Reddit, these tools can help access content from deleted accounts.
