Users can flag submissions. There isn't a vouch option for submissions, but upvoting acts a bit like a vouch. Users can flag and vouch comments. If you think

Users can flag submissions. There isn't a vouch option for submissions, but upvoting acts a bit like a vouch. Users can flag and vouch comments. If you think a story or comment is unfairly flag-killed you can email the mods I guess. This is particularly useful when something is being talked about on HN and the author / creator makes an account to join in that conversation. They'll sometimes find their account is rate-limited because it's a new account.