Karma & Trust Basics
How Karma Works on Reddit (What It Means and What It Doesn’t)
Karma is a feedback signal, not a score you can “hack”. This guide explains what it affects, why it matters, and how to grow it naturally.
TL;DR: Karma is trust-by-behavior. Comment first, be useful, avoid spam signals, and follow each subreddit’s rules.
New to Reddit? Start here: Start Here.
What Karma Actually Is
- Community feedback from upvotes/downvotes.
- Signals that people find your contributions valuable.
- Can influence how others perceive credibility.
What Karma Is NOT
- Not money, not a “rank”, not guaranteed access everywhere.
- Not something you should chase with low-effort comments.
- Not the same across all communities (rules differ).
The Fastest Safe Way to Grow Karma
- Comment on New posts (low competition).
- Use the “answer + short example” pattern.
- Repeat daily for 7 days.
Use this guide: First Comments Formula.
Next steps
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