Reddit, founded in 2005, is one of the oldest and most influential social media platforms on the internet that is still growing strong today.
However, despite its popularity, there are users who are not familiar with its structure and functionalities, and how the platform overall works.
For this reason, in this beginner’s guide, we have shared all the foundational information you must know to help you engage in this online community confidently.
Is Reddit a Social Media Platform?
Even though it’s designed differently from the traditional platforms we’re used to, Reddit still falls within the spectrum of social media.
It functions as a network of discussion forums, with users posting content in various categories known as subreddits. Subreddits cover virtually every topic imaginable, creating niche communities within the broader Reddit space.
Getting Started With Reddit
To access Reddit, you can use either the website (reddit.com) or the mobile app.
Creating an account allows you to synchronize your activity across platforms easily.
If you’re not already a Redditor, simply head over to reddit.com and click on the “Sign Up” button. You can sign up using your Google or Apple account, or simply provide your email and create a password.
Reddit Sign up/Login form
Upon logging in or signing up, the homepage presents a curated selection of posts you can sort by these categories: Best; Hot; New; Top; Rising, as shown below.
Categories’ list on the Reddit homepage
Reddit currently features three feeds: home, popular, and all. Here’s the difference between them:
- Your home feed is a feed of all the best posts from across subreddits.
- Popular is a feed of the most popular posts on Reddit.
- All is a less filtered feed of the most popular posts on Reddit.
Note: While browsing r/all, sexually explicit posts are automatically filtered out, but other popular Not Safe for Work (NSFW) content remains visible. However, you can filter communities you don’t want to see from r/all.
Select What Matches Your Interests
While you might find endless topics posted, Reddit is all about finding communities that match your interests.
As you set up your account, you’ll be prompted to select the topics and communities you’re interested in (similar to X).
Whether you’re into technology, food, fashion, or podcasts, you’re certain to find a subreddit for you. Just browse through the suggested communities or search for specific ones using keywords.
Design and Manage Your Profile
Here comes the fun part.
Your Reddit profile serves as your online identity on the platform.
Reddit user settings
Customize it by adding a profile picture, updating your bio, and creating an avatar. Keep track of your posts, comments, and awards received, and adjust your privacy settings as needed.
Explore Your Feed
Once you’ve selected your interests, you’ll be taken to your personalized Reddit feed. Here, you’ll see posts from the communities you’ve subscribed to, depending on your preferences.
Home Reddit feed
Upvote posts you like and downvote those you don’t, this will shape your feed based on your interactions.
Post Valuable Content
Ready to share your thoughts, images, or links with the Reddit community?
Click on the “Create Post” button (on the top right) to start drafting your post. You can submit text, images, videos, links, or polls, adhering to the specific posting rules of each community.
Remember to use flairs (similar to tags) when required, as they help categorize and organize posts within subreddits.
Creating a post on Reddit
Explore Reddit Features
Beyond browsing and posting, Reddit offers a few resources to better your experience. Explore the “Resources” tab to discover blog posts, careers, press, and more from across the platform.
Reddit resources (on the left)
You can also stay connected with messaging and notifications to remain engaged with the Reddit community. To do so, simply explore the chat and notification options on the top right of the page.
How Do Subreddits Function
Think of Reddit like a mother, and subreddits like her babies.
Subreddits are mini-communities for users to engage with. Each subreddit has its own rules, culture, and topics of discussion.
To join a community, all you have to do is use Reddit’s search function to find related subreddits you might like. For example, if you’re a fan of Hunger Games, simply search for “Hunger Games” to discover subreddits dedicated to the popular series.
Searching subreddits on Reddit
You can explore different communities, join ones that pique your interest, and start engaging with like-minded individuals.
Engage with Content Through Voting and Commenting
Example of upvoting, downvoting and commenting on a post
Reddit encourages active participation through voting and commenting. Unlike other platforms that function with liking and disliking, on Reddit upvoting content increases its visibility, while downvoting serves as a form of moderation. Comments inspire discussions, allowing users to share insights, ask questions, or offer feedback on posts.
Reddit Awards and Karma
Reddit features a karma system, where users earn points based on their contributions. Positive interactions, such as posting quality content and receiving upvotes, increase your karma score.
To view your karma, simply click on your profile and check the number displayed on the right side.
Etiquette and Community Guidelines
Community guidelines example (on the right)
Respectful engagement is very important on Reddit. Avoid excessive self-promotion and stick to each subreddit’s rules to maintain a positive reputation within the community.
A Few Tips to Enhance Your Reddit Journey
- First, avoid the “All” section, which can be overwhelming and often negative. Instead, focus on communities that align with your interests.
- Second, familiarize yourself with each subreddit’s rules before posting or commenting.
- And lastly, don’t get too caught up in karma points; they’re just internet points and don’t define your worth.
Conclusion
Understanding how Reddit works is an easy task, thanks to the platform’s simple structure that adapts to users of all backgrounds and levels of experience. Reddit’s diverse community offers many opportunities for learning, sharing, and connecting with like-minded individuals. This gives users the chance to easily seek advice on the right subreddit, and/or join discussions to become an active participant in the dynamic online community.
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