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How to find Reddit threads that already rank on Google

A practical way to identify Reddit threads that already rank on Google, using simple search techniques to focus on conversations with real, long-term visibility.

Axel Schapmann

If you want to use Reddit for long-term visibility, this is one of the highest-leverage skills you can learn.

Not creating new posts.

Not chasing upvotes.

But finding Reddit threads that already rank on Google and adding value where people are already searching.

This is where Reddit stops feeling random and starts feeling strategic.

Why ranking Reddit threads matter so much

A Reddit thread that already ranks on Google has three important qualities:

  • the problem is actively searched
  • the discussion has long lifespan
  • the traffic is ongoing, not dependent on upvotes

When you contribute to these threads, you’re not gambling on visibility. You’re plugging into demand that already exists.

That’s why this approach consistently outperforms posting from scratch.

The simplest method: Google + site:reddit.com

The most effective technique is also the simplest.

Open Google and use this format:

site:reddit.com your keyword

Examples:

  • site:reddit.com best email tool for startups
  • site:reddit.com alternative to notion
  • site:reddit.com how to onboard users
  • site:reddit.com anyone else struggling with pricing

This tells Google to show only Reddit results for a specific problem or topic.

What you’re looking for:

  • threads ranking on page one
  • questions that match real intent
  • discussions with detailed comments

If it ranks, it already works. You don’t need to guess.

How to evaluate if a thread is worth engaging

Not every ranking thread is a good opportunity.

Before commenting, check a few things.

Is the problem evergreen?

Threads about ongoing problems tend to resurface:

  • tools and alternatives
  • workflows and processes
  • pricing and comparisons
  • beginner questions

Avoid topics tied to news, releases, or trends that age quickly.

Is the discussion still useful?

Even older threads can be valuable if:

  • answers are still relevant
  • comments aren’t outdated
  • the problem hasn’t fundamentally changed

If you can add clarity or a missing angle, it’s usually worth it.

Is there room to contribute meaningfully?

Good signs:

  • vague or conflicting answers
  • outdated recommendations
  • no one sharing direct experience

If everything has already been perfectly answered, adding noise won’t help you or the thread.

Why commenting beats posting for this strategy

When a thread already ranks, posting a new one is unnecessary.

Commenting lets you:

  • benefit from existing authority
  • avoid moderation risk
  • show up in search without owning the post

Well-written comments often appear directly in Google results, sometimes even more prominently than the original post.

That’s one of Reddit’s most underrated SEO mechanics.

How to write comments that surface in search

Assume your comment might be read outside Reddit.

That changes how you write.

Strong comments:

  • fully answer the question in plain text
  • include context and reasoning
  • avoid relying on links
  • make sense on their own

If your comment is useful without clicks, it’s far more likely to surface and persist.

A common mistake: chasing keywords instead of intent

Many people misuse this strategy by treating Reddit like a keyword farm.

They:

  • force exact-match phrases
  • drop product mentions unnaturally
  • comment only to be seen

This usually fails.

Google surfaces answers, not optimizations. And Reddit moderation removes anything that feels transactional.

The goal isn’t to rank. The goal is to help where people are already looking.

Scaling this without spending hours searching

Manually running Google searches works, but it doesn’t scale well.

Over time, it becomes hard to:

  • monitor multiple problem spaces
  • catch new ranking threads
  • decide which ones are worth time

This is where tools like Redship help by automatically surfacing Reddit threads that already rank or are likely to keep resurfacing, so your effort goes into conversations with real lifespan.

The tool saves time. The strategy stays human.

This is where Reddit becomes predictable

Most Reddit marketing feels uncertain because people start at the wrong end.

They post first and hope for attention.

Finding threads that already rank flips the model:

  • demand already exists
  • visibility is proven
  • effort compounds

Instead of asking “will this work?”, you’re asking “how can I add value here?”

That’s how you find Reddit threads that already rank on Google.

And that’s how Reddit stops being a gamble and starts becoming an asset.

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