I recognize that format from reddit.com/r/196, migrants or bots from reddit may be bringing it over. Basically, the "rule" of that sub was that if you visited it you had to post a meme before you left, so a lot of posts on the sub couldn't think of a creative title, so the title was just "rule"
It then became a trend to just put "rule" at the end of whatever the title was, even if you could think of a title.
Just to add some clarification as well: users are encouraged to use the word “rule” somewhere in their post (see first sentence of the stickied thread on their page)
So it’s not a trend, but an intrinsic part of the community
I was like "What stickied thread?" Apparently if your sort is set to Top (time limit), you won't see stickied threads unless they were created within that time. (I've been using Top 6 Hours.)
Afaik it stems from the 196 community, which was a subreddit with only one rule - dont leave without posting something. Posts there had to be titled "Rule" (or at least include the word, Im not sure)
the only rule of that community is you have to post something (anything) when you visit that community that is why titles include rule, it goes back to another sub called r/195 and it was shutdown and r/196 was born from it's ashes
I think the 196 community is the originator, though I already didn’t know what they were about when on reddit, I mostly find their posts confusing.
From what I understand the (only) rule is that the post title must contain the word rule.
The “rule” is just “if you visit here you must post”. Putting “rule” in the title means “i’m following the rule”. The rule was never enforced, it’s really just a memes forum with less judgement re: meme quality (they have to post SOMETHING to satisfy the rule, being a dick in the comments is working against the “rule”).
Really just a way to say “post memes, be nice” without giving all the “YOU can’t tell ME to be nice! I will be mean just to spite you!” people their beloved raging troll erections.
I completely forgot about that after I blocked it. Hasn't been the worst decision. At least at that time about 50% of my steam were unfunny low effort memes.