I’d recommend you start by doing some reading about how Reddit works as it’s quite different from platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Reddit is the home of hundreds of thousands of individual communities called subreddits. Each has their own set of rules and culture around a specific topic or interest. They also have their own requirements to participate which can include things like account age, contributor quality score and karma. So some you won’t be able to participate in right away which is completely normal. Reddit’s karma system is essentially your reputation. Your karma increases by other users upvoting your contributions. You can also lose karma by receiving downvotes. Karma is to be earned organically by being genuinely helpful, positive or engaging. Asking for upvotes is not allowed as it’s considered vote manipulation.
Many groups use karma as a qualifier for contributing. If you don’t have enough karma, you won’t be able to comment or post in that particular group until you do. Commenting typically has less restrictions than posting, so I always recommend new users start with that first.
It can seem overwhelming, but I’d take some time to read through the following.
It will help explain Reddit and karma requirements.
Part of the reasoning behind karma requirements, beyond bots and bad actors, is that it shows you can be a valuable member of the community and know some of the basics of Reddit.
While starting out (and honestly just in general), I recommend you read more than you comment. And comment more than you post.
You aren’t trying to build a brand or a following. You’re looking to add to existing communities. You can’t post what you want wherever you want, especially in the beginning. Being a good member of any community means listening…or in Reddit’s case, reading.
Read the rules / wiki / FAQs of any subreddit before commenting and posting. Every subreddit has their own rules and requirements and they can vary greatly from one another. Depending how you’re accessing Reddit, you’ll find them at the top of the group page or side panel: https://www.reddit.com/r/LearnToReddit/s/HJa00TL9gp
And just as important, read the room of any given sub. What are others asking and commenting? How are other members reacting to it? What’s the culture? Will what I have to say jive with the community? That doesn’t mean you can’t express an opinion that others might not agree with. On Reddit, it’s more often not what you say but how you say it that matters.
Also, use the search function liberally. To find groups and existing conversations. New users are often chomping at the bit to post, but there is a very good chance something similar has been posted before.
Once you’ve gotten an idea of the basics, look for subs that align with your interests in r/findareddit or check out the list below of new user friendly subs with no or low karma requirements. Start by commenting meaningfully on posts where you can add value. People typically upvote posts and comments they find interesting, educational, humorous or relatable. Low effort comments don’t get upvoted or worse, get downvotes. Avoid controversial topics. And don’t comment for the sake of commenting. Provide helpful or insightful content on topics that interest you, are knowledgeable on, or where you have personal experience. !nufs
One final note: Upvotes are not likes, even though that’s how some people treat them. Conversely, downvotes aren’t meant to be dislikes.
The true purpose of upvotes is to denote that users think more people should see something. Whether it be an original post or a comment. So for a post, if it’s particularly interesting or unique to the subreddit / community. For comments, if it’s the best answer. Downvotes, on the other hand, denote users think less people should see something. So it’s unrelated, incorrect, rule breaking, redundant, rude, etc.
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u/ForeverInjured124 Super Contributor 3d ago
I’d recommend you start by doing some reading about how Reddit works as it’s quite different from platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Reddit is the home of hundreds of thousands of individual communities called subreddits. Each has their own set of rules and culture around a specific topic or interest. They also have their own requirements to participate which can include things like account age, contributor quality score and karma. So some you won’t be able to participate in right away which is completely normal. Reddit’s karma system is essentially your reputation. Your karma increases by other users upvoting your contributions. You can also lose karma by receiving downvotes. Karma is to be earned organically by being genuinely helpful, positive or engaging. Asking for upvotes is not allowed as it’s considered vote manipulation.
Many groups use karma as a qualifier for contributing. If you don’t have enough karma, you won’t be able to comment or post in that particular group until you do. Commenting typically has less restrictions than posting, so I always recommend new users start with that first.
It can seem overwhelming, but I’d take some time to read through the following.
Here’s a guide to help get started.
https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/categories/200073949-Getting-Started
It will help explain Reddit and karma requirements.
Part of the reasoning behind karma requirements, beyond bots and bad actors, is that it shows you can be a valuable member of the community and know some of the basics of Reddit.
While starting out (and honestly just in general), I recommend you read more than you comment. And comment more than you post.
Reddit is not social media: https://www.reddit.com/r/NewToReddit/s/dqK38QJQUL
You aren’t trying to build a brand or a following. You’re looking to add to existing communities. You can’t post what you want wherever you want, especially in the beginning. Being a good member of any community means listening…or in Reddit’s case, reading.
Read Reddiquette: https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439-Reddiquette
Read the rules of Reddit: https://redditinc.com/policies/reddit-rules
Read the rules / wiki / FAQs of any subreddit before commenting and posting. Every subreddit has their own rules and requirements and they can vary greatly from one another. Depending how you’re accessing Reddit, you’ll find them at the top of the group page or side panel: https://www.reddit.com/r/LearnToReddit/s/HJa00TL9gp
And just as important, read the room of any given sub. What are others asking and commenting? How are other members reacting to it? What’s the culture? Will what I have to say jive with the community? That doesn’t mean you can’t express an opinion that others might not agree with. On Reddit, it’s more often not what you say but how you say it that matters.
Also, use the search function liberally. To find groups and existing conversations. New users are often chomping at the bit to post, but there is a very good chance something similar has been posted before.
Once you’ve gotten an idea of the basics, look for subs that align with your interests in r/findareddit or check out the list below of new user friendly subs with no or low karma requirements. Start by commenting meaningfully on posts where you can add value. People typically upvote posts and comments they find interesting, educational, humorous or relatable. Low effort comments don’t get upvoted or worse, get downvotes. Avoid controversial topics. And don’t comment for the sake of commenting. Provide helpful or insightful content on topics that interest you, are knowledgeable on, or where you have personal experience. !nufs
One final note: Upvotes are not likes, even though that’s how some people treat them. Conversely, downvotes aren’t meant to be dislikes.
The true purpose of upvotes is to denote that users think more people should see something. Whether it be an original post or a comment. So for a post, if it’s particularly interesting or unique to the subreddit / community. For comments, if it’s the best answer. Downvotes, on the other hand, denote users think less people should see something. So it’s unrelated, incorrect, rule breaking, redundant, rude, etc.