I'm Black Joseph, the creator of
I started it over 8 years ago, at a time when finding reliable help for FireStick problems was almost impossible, especially for beginners who were struggling with storage issues, overheating, app errors, getting scammed in the name of getting a jailbroken Firestick, and hundreds of questions Reddit rarely had proper answers for…
What began as a quiet corner of the internet soon grew into something much bigger. Over time, our community expanded to more than 125,000 members.
And these weren’t just inflated numbers, they were real people from around the world, coming together to troubleshoot issues, share useful tips, recommend apps, and help each other out in ways even official support channels often didn’t.
Reddit's Rise on Google in 2025, and We Grew With It!
Part of our growth was organic. But a huge factor behind our visibility was a shift happening in search itself. Reddit’s content began showing up everywhere on Google, and not by accident.
Between July 2023 and April 2024, Reddit’s SEO visibility on Google increased by 1,328%🔺, moving from the 85th to the 7th most visible domain on Google U.S. (
In that same window, Ahrefs estimated Reddit’s monthly organic traffic from Google jumped from 57 million to 427 million visits. Reddit threads were showing up in top positions, inside forum snippet panels, and even in AI-powered summaries.
This was thanks in large part to Google’s rollout of the “Discussions & Forums” feature, a push to highlight first-hand experiences and authentic conversations over generic, keyword-stuffed content.
And that’s exactly what our subreddit offered. Every solution, guide, and suggestion came from people who had actually used the apps, fixed the errors, and tried the workarounds themselves.
In a way,
And I moderated it carefully, I didn't sell anything. I didn't allow spam. For a long time, it worked, and then, one day, Reddit BANNED us. No warning, no explanation. Just wiped out.
If you're building a community online, especially on a platform you don't control, you need to know the risks, the blind spots, and how to prepare for what happens when things go wrong. I’m going to share you exactly what I learnt!
Where I Drew the Line And Why It Wasn’t Enough?
Technically speaking, a lot time, streaming on FireStick exists in a bit of a gray zone online. It’s a mainstream device, sold by Amazon, used by millions, but when people start talking about jailbreaking, sideloading apps, or “free streaming,” it quickly raises red flags 🚩.
But that was never what our community was all about. I made a conscious decision early on: I wouldn’t become just another piracy-focused forum.
I set strict boundaries. I banned trigger terms like “IPTV” and actively removed posts promoting shady APKs, illegal streaming sites, or Telegram groups. Anything that looked like spam or could compromise a user’s device was taken down.
I also had a zero-tolerance policy for sellers. If someone tried promoting a paid IPTV service or “DM me for promotions,” they were instantly banned.
Now, I won’t pretend it was perfect. Yes, discussions around pirated content did happen, but they came from members, NEVER from me. People would often ask about certain APKs, what’s working, what’s not, and share their experiences. That’s the part I believe Reddit flagged us for.
But I largely believed in education & awareness as well. I warned people about the biggest scams people are falling for, like sellers charging outrageous prices for so-called “jailbroken” FireSticks that were just preloaded with free apps anyone could install in minutes.
I also exposed fake IPTV trials, cloned apps loaded with malware, and websites that tricked people into handing over login credentials.
The subreddit wasn’t just about streaming, but it was about solving the everyday problems FireStick users face.
Here a user is asking about which model he should get to have the best streaming experience?
Looking back, one of my biggest mistakes was trying to manage a 125,000-member subreddit completely on my own.
I was the only moderator of r/FireStickHacks. Every post, every comment, every flag, I handled it myself. I had keyword filters, spam settings, strict subreddit rules, and a post approval policy, and I manually checked dozens of posts every day. But as the community grew, it got harder to keep up.
At one point, I even reached out to r/ModSupport asking if there was any kind of AI tool to help with moderation (
And it wasn’t just the subreddit, but my own Reddit account had been restricted too. I couldn’t even log in anymore.
I immediately contacted Reddit support, hoping to get some clarity, but the response I got was quite general and didn’t provide much detail.
Critical Lessons for Reddit Moderators
Reddit is undoubtedly one of the best platforms for visibility and growing a community…until it isn’t. With its massive user base and endless niches, it’s the perfect place to thrive… until you are gone overnight.
After managing a 125K+ member subreddit, here are the lessons I learned the hard way because Reddit’s idea of “community” can be a bit unpredictable.
1. You don't truly own the space.
No matter how much time you invest, if the platform isn't yours, the community isn't either. Reddit can change its enforcement policies or algorithms without warning. Entire communities can disappear overnight.
2. Avoid Risky Gray Zones Without Strategy
If your subreddit can touch gray areas (e.g., Streaming), create clear rules, post legal disclaimers, and avoid promoting specific paid services.
3. Diversification is not optional, it's survival.
Never build on just one platform. Spread your community across multiple channels like Discord, WhatsApp, email newsletters, forums, and most importantly, establish a home you own, like a blog or standalone website.
When Reddit shut down our subreddit, it did not blew us hard because I already had a website and Discord, WhatsApp & YouTube Channels as a backup.
4. Documentation is your only line of defense.
Reddit’s appeals process is notoriously opaque. Still, keeping a log of mod actions, flagged posts, and admin messages shows good intent. While it may not reverse a ban, it gives you evidence of transparency and due diligence.
5. Moderation requires active risk management.
In communities that touch tech, streaming, or anything remotely grey area, proactive moderation is essential. Block risky keywords early. Monitor new posts manually. Remove questionable content before Reddit’s automated systems flag it.
6. Backup useful content as it will vanish tomorrow.
Treat every FAQ thread, tutorial, and user post as temporary. Archive important content regularly. I learned this the hard way, losing years of community contributions when the subreddit was removed.
7. Reddit moderation is a tightrope.
The line between educational and promotional, between helpful and policy-violating, is thin and constantly shifting. Even with good intentions, you can find yourself on the wrong side of enforcement.7. Never Rely on One Moderator
8. Never Rely on One Moderator
Always have multiple active, trusted moderators. If the sole mod account is suspended or shadowbanned, the entire sub can be frozen or lost.
Find aligned co-mods and collaborators who believe in the mission. Burnout is real, especially when dealing with reports, Reddit warnings, or sudden bans.
What’s Next for Me?
While Reddit may have shut one door, my passion for tech, streaming, and privacy hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s sharpened my focus.
I’m continuing my work on my website,
Behind the scenes, I’m also rebuilding the community through YouTube (which currently has over 7,000 subscribers), Discord, and WhatsApp, where conversations are more direct, ownership is clearer, and support remains personal.
I still believe that the best communities are built on shared knowledge, mutual support, and platform independence.