Many people try to take over inactive subreddit communities through a process know as Reddit Request.
The process is a bit complex for those new to it. Reddit has also additional guidelines for accounts doing a Reddit Request these days. For instance you need 2FA enabled on your account.
Just because you want to take over a community through does not mean Reddit will let you do it.
There are many factors beyond your control or something I can even advise a client on.
Publicly some of what we know Reddit Admins have stated when reviewing requests as reasons for denial.
1. Moderator Experience
If you are requesting a Reddit community that has a lot of potential traffic and users, but not Mod experience, Reddit may not like this.
They like to see if you have Mod experience somewhere else. It helps to participate in Reddit, something I tell clients all the time.
2. No Reddit Activity
If you are not upvoting, downvoting, or commenting on Reddit... why do you want run a community?
Reddit typically want to see you are an active member in Reddit to let you manage a community.
3. NSFW (Not Safe for Work) Mod Experience
This is more specific to NSFW, and some that focus on OnlyFans, but I've seen these get denied as well.
NSFW subreddits come with a lot of extra headaches for mod duties. Be prepared for it if you want to take over a NSFW subreddit.
4. Inactive Moderation
If you are already a Mod in a Reddit community and just let chaos happen in the subreddit you will definitely be denied.
Again Reddit likes to see active participation in the community.
5. Too Much Modding
If you have like 50 subreddits you are Modding for, Reddit will not like this either.
Managing communites properly takes a lot of time, care, and mental energy. They prefer you focus on a few.
6. Account Suspensions
If you have had any recent suspensions of Reddit accounts, this will not be looked on favorable by Reddit.
7. Community Bans
If you have been banned from a lot of communities, Reddit will definitely take this into consideration.
Why are you getting banned so much and why?
8. Violation of Reddit ToS
If you have violated Reddit's Terms of Service this is a pretty obvious no.
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Want a Reddit Request to go well? Shoot me a message and we can chat.