Short answer: Comment karma is usually more valuable than post karma because it shows real participation in discussions. Post karma still matters, but subreddit moderators and AutoModerator filters tend to trust comment history more.
What Is Comment Karma? What Is Post Karma?
Reddit tracks karma in two separate buckets.
Comment karma comes from upvotes on your replies inside other people’s threads. Every time someone upvotes something you wrote in a discussion, that adds to your comment karma total.
Post karma comes from upvotes on the posts you submit directly to a subreddit — links, images, text posts, questions.
Your profile shows both numbers separately. Some users have high post karma with very few comments. Others have high comment karma with few posts. The two numbers tell a different story about how you use Reddit.
Why the Two Types Exist
Reddit originally separated karma so users couldn’t just post one viral image and suddenly have full access everywhere. The system forces you to participate in conversations if you want to build credibility.
Comment karma rewards engagement. Post karma rewards content creation. Both are useful, but they signal different things to moderators and filters.
Which One Matters More for Posting and Commenting
Most subreddits use AutoModerator rules that check both types, but the thresholds are often different.
A common setup looks like this:
| Requirement | Typical threshold |
|---|---|
| Minimum comment karma | 50–200 |
| Minimum post karma | 0–50 |
| Account age | 30–90 days |
Notice that comment karma thresholds are usually higher. That is not random. Moderators know that comment karma is harder to fake. A user with 500 comment karma and 10 post karma has likely spent hours in real discussions. A user with 500 post karma and 10 comment karma might have posted one lucky meme.
The practical rule: If you want to participate in discussions and build a reliable Reddit account, focus on comment karma first. Post karma is a bonus.
Practical Example: Two Accounts, One Subreddit
Imagine you want to post in r/smallbusiness. The subreddit requires 100 comment karma and 30 days account age.
Account A: 2 months old, 400 post karma, 20 comment karma. The user posted three popular articles but never commented.
Account B: 2 months old, 40 post karma, 350 comment karma. The user left helpful replies in business-related threads for weeks.
Which account gets approved faster?
Account B. The comment history shows the user engages meaningfully. Account A looks like someone who drops links and leaves. Even if Account A hits the 100 comment karma threshold eventually, the visible history is thin.
This is why comment karma vs post karma is not just about numbers. It is about what the numbers represent.
How to Earn the Right Type of Karma for Your Goal
If you need comment karma:
- Find subreddits in your niche where people ask questions
- Sort by new or rising
- Write helpful, specific replies. Not one-liners. Not copy-paste.
- Add value before you ask for anything
If you need post karma:
- Share original content that fits the subreddit rules
- Post in communities where text posts or useful links perform well
- Avoid low-effort memes unless that is the subreddit culture
Most beginners chase post karma because it feels faster. A single post can get 500 upvotes. A comment rarely gets that. But for long-term account reputation, comment karma is the steady foundation.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
1. Posting everywhere before commenting. You submit a link to r/marketing, then wonder why it gets removed. The subreddit might require comment karma you do not have.
2. Farming both types in generic subreddits. 500 karma from r/AskReddit does not help you post in r/sales. Subreddits care about niche fit and visible history, not just the number.
3. Ignoring account age. Karma without account age is incomplete. A 2-day-old account with 100 karma looks suspicious. A 6-month-old account with 100 karma looks normal.
4. Buying an account with only post karma. Some sellers offer accounts with high post karma and zero comments. Those accounts often trigger AutoModerator because the history looks empty. Comment karma signals real participation.
If you are evaluating ready accounts, check the comment history. Accounts with real comment karma and visible discussions are more useful for outreach or posting. That is one reason people look for aged Reddit accounts with strong comment profiles rather than just high totals.
5. Posting links immediately. Even with good karma, posting external links early can trigger spam filters. Warm up the account first.
Action Checklist
- Check which karma type your target subreddit requires (look at AutoModerator removal reasons or ask moderators)
- If you need comment karma, spend at least two weeks engaging in niche-relevant discussions before posting
- If you already have an account with mostly post karma, add meaningful comments to build balance
- Never buy an account without reviewing the comment history — empty history is a red flag
- Combine karma with account age and consistent behavior for the best results
FAQ
Q: Can I use an account with only post karma?
A: Yes, but many subreddits require comment karma specifically. If your account has zero comment karma, you may not be able to comment at all, and some posts will get filtered.
Q: Which type of karma is harder to earn?
A: Comment karma is slower because comments rarely go viral. But it is also more stable. A single downvoted post can tank post karma. Comment karma fluctuates less.
Q: Does Reddit karma matter outside of posting limits?
A: Not really. Karma does not give you special features, priority, or money. It only affects what you can do inside subreddits.
Q: How long does it take to build useful comment karma?
A: If you write helpful comments daily in active subreddits, expect 50–100 comment karma in the first month. Focus on quality, not volume.
Q: Should I worry about post karma at all?
A: If you plan to submit your own content, yes. But if your goal is engagement, outreach, or building a credible account for marketing, comment karma should be your priority.
For this use case, practical proxy option for Reddit workflows should be compared by pricing, setup difficulty, support quality, refund policy, and whether it fits your workflow.
