The Awesome Guide to Reddit
Uncovering the Internet's Hidden Gems with Reddit
Have you ever noticed how some individuals consistently discover interesting content online ahead of you? It's highly likely they are utilizing Reddit, a platform often referred to as the "front page of the Internet." Essentially a curated compilation of web links, Reddit serves as a gateway to the most engaging content available.
However, navigating Reddit can initially present a challenge. Fortunately, a comprehensive resource exists: "Best of the Web, Delivered: The Reddit Manual."
A Guide to Mastering Reddit
Authored by Dave LeClair, this manual provides a thorough explanation of Reddit. It details everything a user needs to understand to maximize their experience on the platform.
The book outlines the core functionalities and nuances of Reddit. It's designed to empower users to effectively discover and engage with the diverse communities within the site.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the fundamental principles of how Reddit operates.
- Discover strategies for finding relevant and engaging content.
- Learn how to participate effectively in various Reddit communities.
- Maximize your overall experience on the platform.
Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned internet user, "Best of the Web, Delivered: The Reddit Manual" offers valuable insights into harnessing the power of Reddit.
Table of Contents
§1–Introduction: Understanding Reddit’s Functionality.
§2–Creating a Reddit Account.
§3–Navigating the Reddit Platform.
§4–Posting Content on Reddit.
§5–Key Reddit Terminology.
§1–Introduction: Understanding Reddit’s Functionality
Reddit is a widely used social news aggregation, content rating, and discussion website. Users submit content, which is then voted on by other members of the community.
This voting system determines the visibility of posts and comments, effectively curating content based on community interest. It’s a platform built around shared interests and open discussions.
The site is organized into numerous communities called subreddits, each dedicated to a specific topic. These range from news and politics to hobbies and niche interests.
§2–Creating a Reddit Account
To participate on Reddit, you must first create an account. This process is straightforward and requires a valid email address.
Visit the Reddit website and click the "Sign Up" button. You will be prompted to enter a username, password, and email address.
A verification email will be sent to your provided address; follow the link within to activate your account. Once verified, you can begin exploring the platform.
§3–Navigating the Reddit Platform
Reddit’s interface can initially seem complex, but it becomes intuitive with practice. The main page, often referred to as the “front page,” displays popular posts from subscribed subreddits.
You can browse content by selecting different subreddits from the sidebar. Each subreddit has its own unique rules and community guidelines.
Posts can be sorted by “hot,” “new,” “top,” “rising,” or “controversial,” allowing you to view content based on different criteria. Filtering options enhance the browsing experience.
§4–Posting Content on Reddit
Submitting content to Reddit is done through the “Create Post” button. You can choose to submit a text post, a link, an image, or a video.
When creating a post, select the appropriate subreddit for your content. Ensure your post adheres to the subreddit’s specific rules to avoid removal.
Consider crafting a compelling title and providing relevant context in your post. Engaging with comments and responding to feedback is encouraged.
§5–Key Reddit Terminology
Understanding Reddit’s unique vocabulary is crucial for effective participation. Here are some common terms:
- Upvote/Downvote: Voting on posts and comments; upvotes increase visibility, downvotes decrease it.
- Subreddit: A specific community dedicated to a particular topic.
- Karma: A score reflecting a user’s contributions to the Reddit community.
- AMA (Ask Me Anything): A session where a notable person answers questions from the Reddit community.
- TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read): A concise summary of a longer post.
Familiarizing yourself with these terms will significantly improve your understanding of Reddit’s culture and dynamics.
Reddit offers a diverse and engaging platform for sharing information and connecting with others who share similar interests. Active participation and adherence to community guidelines are key to a positive experience.
1. Introduction: Understanding Reddit
Reddit positions itself as a premier destination for discovering current and trending content online. Beyond this, it functions as a remarkably well-structured compilation of web links, and a source of considerable entertainment.
The platform’s organization revolves around Subreddits, dedicated spaces focusing on specific interests. Whatever your passion, it’s highly probable a corresponding Subreddit exists to cater to it.
Reddit facilitates not only content sharing but also the formation of communities among individuals with shared interests. The platform even encourages real-world interaction through organized user meetups.
1.2 Core Principles
Reddit’s functionality is fundamentally driven by user voting. Submissions are evaluated by the community through upvotes and downvotes, effectively surfacing the most engaging and valuable content.
This dynamic voting system ensures Reddit remains a constantly evolving platform, where popular items can quickly rise to prominence and then be superseded by newer contributions.
The platform’s name, “Reddit,” is derived from the phrase “I read it,” reflecting the idea that frequent visitors will remain informed about significant happenings on the web.
1.3 The Benefits of Reddit
Reddit’s expansive coverage of diverse topics, coupled with its user-driven voting system, ensures that users are presented with high-quality content vetted by a large community. Finding worthwhile material online can often be challenging.
Reddit resolves this issue by empowering users to collectively filter and identify the most compelling content available.
Reddit’s unique culture can initially feel exclusive to newcomers. It’s akin to observing a vibrant social scene from the outside, feeling disconnected from the energy within.
However, once you engage with the platform, it’s like stepping into that lively environment. The initial disorientation gives way to a sense of belonging as you discover communities that resonate with your interests.
This is the core strength of Reddit: a place for everyone. While it may seem daunting at first, finding your niche Subreddits unlocks a rewarding experience. We will explore Subreddits in greater detail later.
Alongside valuable information, Reddit also offers a wealth of lighthearted and entertaining content. Often, this amusing material proves just as appealing as the more practical resources.
Looking for a good laugh? Explore r/funny. Interested in discovering new music? Check out r/listentothis. Reddit provides content to suit every preference.
2. Signing Up For Reddit
2.1 How to Sign Up For Reddit
Creating a Reddit account is a straightforward process. Begin by navigating to Reddit.com in your web browser. Locate the “Want to join?” box in the upper right corner of the screen. Next to this, you’ll find a “register” link.
Selecting this link will direct you to Reddit’s registration form. You will be prompted to select a username – consider this carefully, as it will be your identifier within the Reddit community – provide an email address (which is optional), and establish a secure password.
A CAPTCHA challenge is also required to verify you are a human user and not an automated bot. Upon completion, your Reddit account will be created and ready for participation!
2.2 Why make an account?
While browsing Reddit without an account is possible, full engagement requires registration. To personalize your experience and save preferred Subreddits, an account is essential. Furthermore, the ability to up-vote submissions and contribute comments is exclusively available to registered users.
Reddit functions as a community driven by user interaction; without registered participants, the platform would cease to exist. The platform also customizes a “front page” experience based on your subscribed Subreddits.
For example, if you have no interest in political discussions, registering and avoiding political Subreddits will ensure your homepage remains free of related content. This allows for a tailored browsing experience.
2.3 Why do some users have multiple accounts?
Reddit does not impose a limit on the number of accounts a user can create, a feature many individuals utilize. The motivations behind this vary, ranging from lighthearted experimentation to more practical considerations.
• Novelty Accounts - These accounts often feature a consistent theme or persona in each post. A notable example is Gradual_N****r [Broken URL Removed], an account known for starting posts in formal English and progressively adopting slang as the post continues.
• Throwaway Accounts – Users may create temporary accounts to post sensitive or potentially embarrassing content. For instance, a question posted to r/sex might be submitted from a throwaway account to maintain anonymity.
• Recovering from Negative Feedback – If a comment receives overwhelmingly negative reactions and a very low score, a user might choose to create a new account. The previous account’s reputation may be too damaged to regain credibility.
• Self-Promotion – Some users attempt to manipulate the system by creating multiple accounts to up-vote and positively comment on their own posts. This practice is generally frowned upon and often easily detected, leading to negative consequences.
3. Browsing Reddit
3.1 Navigating Reddit
Upon your initial visit to Reddit.com, the sheer volume of links and diverse categories may appear daunting. It’s essential to explore the front page to gain an understanding of Reddit’s operational structure.
Engage with various links, find amusement, and immerse yourself; your Reddit journey is just beginning. Many users remain in this exploratory phase indefinitely, and that is perfectly acceptable. Some individuals choose not to create accounts, preferring to simply browse the front page and participate passively.
3.2 Feeling Overwhelmed by Reddit’s Complexity?
It’s understandable to find Reddit initially complex. Approach it as you would any new platform – start with the basics. The front page serves as a logical starting point for familiarization.
As you become comfortable with the front page, you’ll need to explore Subreddits. Don’t worry, this guide will provide direction in navigating these specialized communities.
3.3 Understanding the Front Page
Reddit’s default front page showcases content from popular Subreddits, such as r/politics and r/funny. These are the most highly-rated posts across the entire platform, making it an ideal place to begin your exploration.
3.4 What Defines a Subreddit?
A Subreddit, sometimes called a “Reddit,” is a dedicated space where individuals with shared interests can congregate and exchange content they believe others will appreciate. When submitting content, Reddit requires users to designate a specific Subreddit.
Most Subreddits display rules for content submission on the right side of the screen. These guidelines are beneficial for both submitters and readers, outlining the type of content you can expect. You’ll also find a list of “related Reddits,” offering a pathway to discover more relevant communities.
Larger or more complex Subreddits often provide detailed FAQs for newcomers. These can be found in the sidebar or linked from the main page.
3.5 Recommended Subreddits
Here’s a selection of my favorite Subreddits. Consider exploring these based on your interests:
- R/technology – A central hub for all things tech, featuring discussions, articles, and images. The sidebar provides links to more specialized technology Subreddits.
- R/pics – A platform for sharing any image, attracting a large audience and a constant stream of content.
- R/funny – Dedicated to humorous content, primarily pictures, jokes, and videos.
- R/loseit – A supportive community for individuals on a weight loss journey, sharing before-and-after photos, stories, and advice.
- R/Videos – A diverse collection of videos, ranging from entertaining to awe-inspiring.
- R/gamernews – Provides the latest news and updates in the video game industry.
- R/frugal – A community focused on sharing money-saving tips and stories.
- R/IamA – Users identify themselves as someone specific and answer questions from the community.
- R/AskReddit – A forum for posing any question to the Reddit community.
- R/TodayILearned – Users share newly acquired knowledge.
- R/gif – A collection of animated GIF images.
The possibilities with Subreddits are endless. These recommendations are a good starting point for discovering communities aligned with your interests.
For further Subreddit discovery, visit subredditfinder.com to identify active, growing, and potentially overlooked communities.
3.6 Understanding “Reddiquette”
“Reddiquette” refers to the informal rules governing behavior on Reddit. It aims to maintain a positive and functional community environment, similar to real-world etiquette.
Reddiquette guides interactions with comments, reposts, and disagreements. It’s a set of guidelines, not strict rules, designed to foster a welcoming atmosphere.
3.7 Why Adhere to Reddiquette?
Follow Reddiquette for the same reasons you practice good manners in everyday life. Avoid actions that would be considered inappropriate in a face-to-face interaction, such as soliciting upvotes.
To become a valued member of the Reddit community, you must earn acceptance. Consistent negativity will likely result in a less enjoyable experience.
Do not underestimate the collective memory of the Reddit community. Transgressions are rarely forgotten.
Violating Reddiquette can lead to downvotes, which can hide your comments from view, rendering your contributions ineffective.
Ultimately, practicing Reddiquette is about being respectful and considerate. For a comprehensive guide, consult Reddit’s official help article.
4. Submitting to Reddit
4.1 How to Submit Links on Reddit
Content submission is a fundamental aspect of the Reddit experience. Without user contributions, the platform would lack vibrancy. However, indiscriminate posting is discouraged; careful consideration must be given to the most appropriate subreddit for each submission.
Furthermore, attention to detail regarding submission titles and adherence to established Reddiquette are essential. As previously discussed, the Reddit community possesses a strong memory, and those perceived as abusing the platform will likely be identified.
4.2 Finding the Proper Subreddit is Crucial
Before submitting a link or initiating a discussion, determining the most suitable subreddit is paramount.
While some subreddits may appear to overlap, careful evaluation is necessary. For instance, Reddit hosts communities such as r/technology, r/apple, r/gadgets, and r/iPad. An article concerning an iPad application could conceivably fit within any of these. Selecting the most effective subreddit requires weighing factors like audience size and activity level. Larger subreddits, like r/technology, boast extensive subscriber bases but experience rapid content turnover, making it challenging to achieve front-page visibility. Conversely, smaller, more focused subreddits, such as r/iPad, offer a greater likelihood of reaching the front page, albeit with a smaller potential audience.
A balanced approach often yields the best results. For iPad-related content, r/apple represents a suitable middle ground, offering a broader reach than r/iPad while avoiding the intense competition of r/technology. While success isn't guaranteed, this strategy maximizes visibility potential.
4.3 The Title is the Key
Once the appropriate subreddit is identified, crafting a compelling title is crucial. Reddit’s auto-suggestion feature can provide a starting point, but a thoughtfully composed title is generally more effective.
For visually-oriented subreddits like r/Funny, the title is often the determining factor in a post’s success. Even exceptionally humorous content may fail to gain traction with a lackluster title. Consider the types of titles that have previously captured your attention while browsing Reddit; these are likely to resonate with other users.
4.4 Use the Search Function Before Submitting
Although the Reddit search functionality isn’t perfect, it’s advisable to perform a search before submitting content.
Even with a clever title, it can be difficult to ascertain whether similar content has already been posted. Attempt to anticipate potential search terms and verify the originality of your submission. Reddit will prevent the resubmission of identical URLs, but this safeguard isn’t foolproof. Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of users to ensure their contributions are original, and the search function is the primary tool for doing so.
Reposts inevitably occur and may still garner attention, particularly from users who haven’t encountered the content previously. However, avoiding reposts is generally preferable.
4.5 DO NOT Add Affiliate Links
While the prospect of monetization is understandable, submitting affiliate links to Reddit is strongly discouraged. The community generally reacts negatively to such practices, resulting in downvotes and diminished visibility. Reddit users are typically tech-savvy and capable of identifying affiliate links before clicking on them.
Content containing affiliate links may be acceptable if the overall quality is high. However, submissions that appear solely motivated by financial gain are likely to be met with disapproval.
4.6 The Value of Submitting to Reddit
Reddit attracts a substantial volume of traffic, and content that reaches the front page receives significant exposure. As of this writing, Reddit ranks among the top 150 most visited websites globally, according to Alexa. The visibility afforded by a successful Reddit post is exceptionally valuable.
Furthermore, Reddit’s subreddit-based structure facilitates targeted marketing. By posting content to relevant communities, you can reach an audience specifically interested in the topic. This represents a cost-effective and highly focused marketing opportunity.
However, it’s crucial to avoid treating Reddit as a mere advertising platform. Repeatedly submitting links from a single website will likely be perceived as self-promotion, leading to negative reactions from the community. Transparency is key; if you’ve authored an article for a website, disclose that fact. High-quality content is generally well-received, even if it originates from an external source.
When used responsibly, Reddit can be a valuable platform for building karma, gaining exposure, and promoting your work.
4.7 Karma Explained
Karma is Reddit’s internal scoring system, reflecting the perceived value of a user’s contributions. Each user has separate comment karma and link karma scores, serving as a measure of their standing within the community. It functions as a status symbol, analogous to displays of wealth.
4.8 Comment Karma versus Link Karma
Comment karma reflects the reception of a user’s comments on posts, with higher scores indicating greater community respect. Comment karma is generally regarded more favorably than link karma.
Link karma, conversely, measures the performance of submitted links in terms of upvotes and downvotes.
A balanced approach, combining insightful comments with link submissions, is often recommended. Users who exclusively submit links may be perceived as solely focused on self-promotion. Ultimately, consistent and valuable contributions will naturally lead to a positive karma score.
Focusing on being a contributing member of the community is more important than obsessing over your karma score.
4.9 Other Helpful Reddit Articles
Explore these additional resources from MakeUseOf.com to further enhance your Reddit experience.
• Five Cool Things You Should Know About Reddit
• Use Reddit Like A Boss With This Combo Package – A guide to two essential Reddit add-ons.
• How To Kill Productivity With The Reddit App Alien Blue – An in-depth review of the premier Reddit iPhone application.
• 3 Ways Reddit Can Help Those In Need
5. Reddit Glossary
A
AIC – Stands for “album in comments.” When a user shares a single image and indicates a larger collection exists, they’ll often link to it within the comments and denote it with “AIC” in the title.
AMA – An abbreviation for “ask me anything.” These are frequently found within the IAmA subreddit, though they can appear in other communities as well.
C
CAE – Meaning “Can or could anyone else.” This acronym is commonly seen within the Does Anyone Else subreddit.
Conde Nast – The current owner of Reddit, having acquired the platform in 2006. They have been instrumental in maintaining Reddit’s independence.
Cross-post – (Also known as an x-post.) This refers to sharing content that has already been posted elsewhere on Reddit, but in a different community. For instance, a picture initially posted in r/funny might be shared in r/pics with a note indicating it’s a cross-post.
D
DAE - Meaning “Does or did anybody else.” This is the origin of the name for the r/DoesAnybodyelse subreddit. You’ll encounter this phrase in thread titles within that community. A user might ask, “DAE else believe MakeUseOf is the premier website on the Internet?” and receive affirmations from other Reddit users.
Downvote - The action of decreasing a post’s score. Reddit’s community relies on users voting content up or down based on their enjoyment. Downvoting serves to filter out low-quality submissions.
F
F7U12 – A popular subreddit dedicated to the posting of Rage Comics (see definition below). The name represents “FFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU,” consisting of seven F’s and twelve U’s, where ‘F’ signifies “fuck” and ‘U’ signifies “you.”
FTFY – An acronym for “fixed that for you.” This is used when someone corrects an error, such as grammar or spelling, but can also be employed sarcastically. For example, if someone claims Apple is the best computer company, a dissenter might quote them with “Microsoft” substituted for “Apple” and add “FTFY.”
Occasionally, it can also convey “Fuck this, Fuck you.”
H
Hive mind - Represents the collective opinion or sentiment of the Reddit community. This term can be used critically. For example, someone might state, “I know the hive mind feels differently, but I’m inclined to disagree,” indicating a willingness to oppose the prevailing view.
I
IAE - Meaning “Is anyone else.” Another common acronym within r/DAE. Iama - Meaning “I am a.” This is utilized in “ask me anything” threads across Reddit. A typical title might read: “Iama Author for MakeUseOf.com. AMA,” signifying “I am an author for MakeUseOf.com, ask me anything.”
IIRC - Stands for “if I recall correctly.” This phrase is frequently used in Reddit discussions and debates. Someone might say, “Anderson Silva knocked Okami out cold, IIRC,” acknowledging the possibility of imperfect memory.
J
Jailbait - Refers to a person someone finds attractive who is below the legal age of consent.
K
Karma - Represents a user’s score on Reddit. Refer to the Karma section of this guide for a detailed explanation.
M
Meme - A cultural idea, phrase, or concept that spreads rapidly across Reddit. A Narwhal serves as a prime example of a meme.
MIC - Stands for “more in comments.” Similar to AIC, but used when additional content consists of more than just a full album of images.
N
Narwhal - A whale-like creature with a prominent horn. It’s a widely recognized Internet joke.
NSFL - An acronym meaning “not safe for life.” This tag warns of content that may be deeply disturbing or permanently upsetting. Exercise caution when encountering posts labeled NSFL.
NSFW - Meaning “not safe for work.” This tag indicates content unsuitable for viewing in a professional setting, such as nudity, profanity, violence, or gore. Subreddits like r/NSFW and r/GoneWild are entirely dedicated to NSFW content and should be avoided on work or public computers.
O
OP - Stands for “original poster.” This term is used to address the user who initiated the thread. For example, in a lengthy comment thread, someone might ask, “OP where did you obtain this picture?” directing the question to the original poster.
R
Rage Comic – The foundation of r/fffffffuuuuuuuuuuuu. Typically created with a comic generator, these comics are characterized by their crude artwork and are used to depict frustrating or enraging experiences.
Reddiquette – The unofficial guide to proper behavior on Reddit. See the Reddiquette section for a comprehensive overview.
Reddit Gold - A premium Reddit membership that unlocks additional features and financially supports the platform. It can be gifted to other users as a gesture of appreciation.
Repost – Content that has already been shared on Reddit. Reposts are generally discouraged, as they are often met with criticism and receive few upvotes.
S
SFW – Indicates that a post is “safe for work.” Not all posts are labeled SFW, only those that appear unlikely to contain inappropriate content. A title like “Oh man look at her ride it” might suggest NSFW content, but if it’s simply a picture of a girl riding a horse, it’s likely SFW.
Subreddit – A community on Reddit dedicated to a specific topic. Subreddits are essential for organizing content and fostering focused discussions. See the Subreddits section for a detailed explanation.
T
This - Used as a simple expression of agreement with a post. Responding with only “This” is generally discouraged, as it doesn’t contribute meaningfully to the discussion.
TIL - An acronym for “today I learned.” There’s a dedicated subreddit for sharing newly acquired knowledge. A sample title might be “TIL there is a dog breed specifically bred to resemble a Dire Wolf.”
TL; DR – Short for “Too long; didn’t read.” This is typically found at the end of lengthy posts, followed by a concise summary. It caters to readers who prefer a quick overview.
Troll – Someone who intentionally provokes or upsets others online. Trolls often express dissenting opinions solely to elicit a reaction, even if they don’t genuinely hold those views. While annoying, trolls can also contribute to the platform’s entertainment value.
U
Upvote – The act of approving a post on Reddit. Upvoting signifies that you found the content valuable or enjoyable and want to increase its visibility.
W
WTF – Short for “What the fuck.”
More about Reddit:
- How To Use Reddit Like an Old Pro
- Penniless Because of the Holidays? 8 Money-Stretching Subreddits
- Reditr: A Desktop Client For Reddit With Embedded Content
- Special All AskReddit Edition And A Subreddit of the Week [Best of Reddit]
- 5 Free Apps That Will Improve Your Portable Reddit Experience [Android]
