Modmail vs. asking in the open thread

Modmail vs. asking in the open thread
This week on Reddit marketing: where to ask permission or clarify a rule.

— [Tactic] Modmail keeps a sensitive question private and reaches mods directly, ideal for 'can I share my product' without tipping off the spam-hawk regulars.
— [Tactic] A public comment in a meta or weekly thread gets community input fast and signals transparency, but invites pile-on if your ask reads as self-serving.
— [Case] r/modhelp consensus: rule clarifications belong in modmail; community-norm questions do better in public weekly threads.
— [Rule-change] Some subs auto-route promo questions to a designated weekly thread — posting elsewhere gets removed regardless of intent.

Editor's pick: modmail for permission, public thread for norms — match the channel to the question.