Can you delete hidden Reddit history?

Answered by Stephen Mosley

Deleting hidden Reddit history refers to removing all traces of your activity on the platform, including comments, posts, and upvotes/downvotes. However, it’s important to note that Reddit does not provide a direct feature to delete hidden history. Despite this, there are a few steps you can take to minimize your digital footprint on the platform.

1. Delete Posts and Comments Individually:
– Start by logging into your Reddit account and navigating to your profile.
– Go to the “Overview” tab where you can view all your posts and comments.
– Manually delete each post and comment by clicking on the three dots (…) next to the content and selecting “Delete”.

2. Use a Third-Party Extension:
– If you have a large amount of Reddit history and want a more efficient way to delete it, you can use a third-party extension called “Nuke Reddit History”.
– This extension, currently available for Google Chrome, allows you to delete your entire Reddit history with a single click.
– Install the extension, follow the instructions, and it will automatically delete your posts and comments.

3. Consider Deactivating Your Account:
– If you want to completely remove your Reddit presence, you can deactivate your account.
– Log in to your Reddit account and go to the “User Settings” page.
– Scroll down to the bottom and click on the “Deactivate Account” button.
– Follow the prompts and confirm the deactivation of your account.
– Deactivating your account will hide your profile and remove your posts and comments from public view. However, Reddit retains your data for a certain period of time.

4. Be Mindful of Deleted Content:
– While you may delete your own posts and comments, keep in mind that other users may have quoted, referenced, or shared your content elsewhere on Reddit.
– Deleted content may still be accessible through external websites, archived pages, or screenshots taken by other users.
– It’s important to be aware that once something is posted on the internet, it can be difficult to completely erase it.

5. Privacy and Data Retention:
– Reddit may retain your data for a certain period, even if you deactivate your account or delete content.
– Review Reddit’s Privacy Policy to understand how long they retain user data and what information they store.

It’s crucial to remember that attempting to delete your Reddit history does not guarantee complete removal, especially if others have interacted with your posts or comments. Being mindful of what you share online and practicing good digital hygiene can help protect your privacy in the long run.