Why do some links start out [dead]?

Pretty sure 404 media is automatically killed, possibly because it doesn't have a paywall bypass. Same as if you post a link to "the information" - it's something nobody can read so not worth linking.

Usually because something looks spammy. The most common reason for this complaint is that somebody posts links to their personal blog and nothing but their personal blog.

I think 404media has a low level of regard on HN

https://news.ycombinator.com/from?site=404media.co

Not least because most of their content is behind a registerwall which is particularly ironic because 95% of what they write about is something privacy sensitive or about sex, I want to register to read that stuff about as much as I want to register for a porn site. If it is not that it is the kind of breathless political stuff that will wind up [dead] in a few minutes.

My biggest complaint about them is that they leaked a list of web sites being monitored by ICE to Google Docs so in the process of my viewing that list Google recorded that I read the document and now it appears in my feed when I use Google. Google is on that list so if I'm paranoid I have to assume ICE contractors know I read that list, great work 404 media!