What Are Reddit Awards? The Short Answer
Reddit awards are virtual badges that users can give to posts or comments they like. Think of them as a tip or a “like” that costs real money (Reddit Coins). Awards come in different tiers, from cheap ones like “Helpful” to expensive ones like “Platinum” or “Ternion.” They add a small icon next to the post or comment, and some give the recipient temporary Reddit Premium (ad-free browsing and access to r/lounge).
But here’s the thing: awards are not the same as karma. Receiving an award does not automatically increase your Reddit karma. Awards are a separate system for showing appreciation, not for building reputation.
How Reddit Awards Actually Work
To give an award, a user must first buy Reddit Coins with real money. Reddit Coins cost about $1 for 100 coins, but prices vary. Then the user selects an award from the award menu, spends the coins, and the award appears on the target post or comment. The award giver also gets a small amount of Reddit Premium as a bonus.
Awards are divided into tiers:
| Tier | Example Award | Cost (Coins) | Effect on Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Helpful, Wholesome | 50-100 | Small icon, no Premium |
| Mid | Silver, Gold | 100-500 | Icon + 1 week Premium |
| High | Platinum, Argentium | 500-2000 | Icon + 1 month Premium + coins |
| Top | Ternion, Ildefonse | 2000+ | Icon + Premium + coins + special badge |
Most awards are purely cosmetic. Only Gold, Platinum, and above give the recipient Reddit Premium, which removes ads and unlocks r/lounge.
Do Awards Affect Your Karma or Account Standing?
No. Awards do not give you post karma or comment karma. Karma is earned when other users upvote your content, not when they award it. Some beginners assume awards equal karma, but that’s a common misunderstanding.
However, awards do affect your account in two indirect ways:
- Visibility: Awarded posts sometimes appear higher or get more attention because the award icon attracts clicks. More clicks can lead to more upvotes, which increases karma.
- Reddit Premium: If you receive a Gold or Platinum award, you get Premium for a limited time. Premium includes access to r/lounge, but it does not change your Reddit account setup or give you special moderation permissions.
So awards are a nice signal of appreciation, but they don’t directly build your account’s trust score. If you’re trying to grow a Reddit account for marketing or participation, focus on subreddit basics like posting quality content and engaging in discussions rather than chasing awards.
Practical Example: What Happens When You Receive an Award
Let’s say you write a helpful comment in r/AskReddit. Another user likes it and gives you a “Helpful” award. Here’s what actually happens:
- A small “Helpful” icon appears next to your comment.
- You get a notification: “Your comment received the Helpful award!”
- Your karma does not change.
- You do not get Premium.
- The award giver spends 50 coins.
If instead they give you a “Gold” award:
- A Gold icon appears.
- You get 1 week of Reddit Premium.
- You receive 100 Reddit Coins (which you can use to award others).
- Your karma still does not change.
That’s it. Awards are a nice gesture, but they don’t unlock anything permanent for your account.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make with Awards
- Thinking awards equal karma: Awards and karma are separate systems. Karma comes from upvotes, not awards.
- Buying awards to get attention: Spending coins on awards for your own content rarely helps. Focus on writing good comments instead.
- Ignoring Reddit rules: Some subreddits discourage begging for awards or using awards to manipulate votes. Always check Reddit rules before trying to game the system.
- Expecting Premium to last: Premium from awards is temporary. You don’t own it permanently.
Small Checklist for Understanding Reddit Awards
- [ ] Know that awards do not give karma.
- [ ] Understand that only Gold and above give Premium.
- [ ] Never buy awards for your own content to gain attention.
- [ ] Focus on quality comments and posts instead of awards.
- [ ] Check subreddit rules before mentioning awards in posts.
Final Takeaway
Reddit awards are a fun way for users to show appreciation, but they are not a shortcut to building account value. If you’re new to Reddit, your energy is better spent on writing helpful comments, understanding Reddit privacy basics, and learning how each subreddit works. Awards are nice to receive, but they won’t make your account more trusted or give you access to restricted communities. Keep your focus on real participation.
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FAQ
Q: Do Reddit awards give you karma?
A: No. Awards do not increase your post karma or comment karma. Karma comes from upvotes, not awards.
Q: Can I give awards to myself?
A: Yes, you can award your own content, but it’s generally seen as pointless and sometimes against subreddit rules. It doesn’t help your account.
Q: What happens if I receive a Gold award?
A: You get 1 week of Reddit Premium (ad-free browsing, access to r/lounge) and 100 Reddit Coins. Your karma does not change.
Q: Are awards worth spending money on?
A: For most users, no. Awards are purely cosmetic or give temporary Premium. If you want to support Reddit, buying coins is fine, but don’t expect any real benefit to your account.
Q: Do awards help my post get more views?
A: Sometimes. Awarded posts can attract more clicks because of the icon, which may lead to more upvotes. But there is no guarantee.
