What you’re really trying to do
You want karma because subreddits require it. That’s the honest reason. But karma isn’t a scoreboard—it’s a trust signal mods use to filter out bots, spammers, and throwaway accounts. This guide shows you how to build karma in a way that actually works long-term, with examples you can copy.
What to check before you start
Before you post anything, do these three checks. Skipping them causes most early frustration.
- Check subreddit rules . Each subreddit sets its own karma minimums. Some require 10 comment karma, others require 500. Read the rules in the sidebar or “About” section first.
- Check your account age. New accounts are heavily filtered. If your account is under 7 days old, expect delays.
- Check the community tone. Lurk for 20 minutes before commenting. Notice how people phrase replies, what gets upvoted, and what gets ignored.
Step 1: Understand the two types of karma
Reddit has two separate karma types. They are not interchangeable.
Post karma (link/post karma) comes from submitting posts that get upvoted. It shows you can submit content people like.
Comment karma comes from comments that get upvoted. It’s widely regarded as a stronger trust signal because comments show visible interaction inside discussions. Moderators often check comment history to see if an account actually participates in conversations or just dumps links.
This matters because many subreddits will auto-remove posts from accounts with post karma but no comment history. The system wants evidence you’re a real participant, not someone who found a loophole.
Step 2: Read subreddit rules before you do anything
Subreddit rules are not optional reading. They are the difference between your account growing or getting flagged.
Pay special attention to:
– Karma requirements (often listed under “Automod” or “Minimum requirements”)
– Posting frequency limits
– Link restrictions (many subreddits ban links from new accounts entirely)
– Flair requirements (some subreddits force you to set post flair before they approve anything)
A practical example: r/smallbusiness requires accounts to have both post and comment karma above 10. If you try to post a question with zero comment karma, the automod silently removes it. You won’t even get an error message. This silent removal is why so many new users think Reddit is broken.
Step 3: Post your first comments the right way
Your first goal is 50 to 100 comment karma. Do this before you even think about posting.
Here’s what works:
- Reply to questions in niche subreddits where you have genuine expertise. One well-written answer can earn 20-30 upvotes.
- Be specific, not generic. “I had this issue too, here’s how I fixed it” beats “Great post!” every time.
- Keep replies between 2-5 sentences. Long answers get skimmed, short answers get ignored, mid-length answers get read.
- Sort by “new” or “rising” in active subreddits. Commenting early on a post that gains traction means your comment is visible longer.
Avoid:
– Copy-paste replies (Reddit’s spam filter detects duplicate text across accounts)
– “This.” or “+1” comments (these get downvoted into oblivion)
– Commenting in huge default subreddits where your comment disappears within minutes
Step 4: Publish a post only after you have comment history
Once you have 50+ comment karma, you can attempt a post. But choose your first post carefully.
Follow this pattern:
1. Pick a subreddit where you’ve already commented successfully.
2. Read the top 5 posts from the last week to understand formatting and tone.
3. Write your post, then wait 10 minutes and re-read it. Cut any promotional language.
4. Post at a time when your target subreddit is active (usually late morning US time on weekdays).
Your first post is a test, not a launch. Expect it to get modest engagement. That’s fine.
Step 5: Check your karma breakdown and adjust
Reddit doesn’t show your exact karma breakdown on the main profile, but you can check it on the redesigned profile page (www.reddit.com/user/yourname in “about” mode). You’ll see both numbers separately.
If your comment karma is growing but post karma is stuck, that’s normal. Keep commenting. If both are stalled, review your recent comments. Are they generic? Too short? Are you commenting in subreddits where you have no credibility?
Adjust your approach weekly. One solid comment per day beats ten low-effort ones.
Common blockers and realistic fixes
Blocker 1: Comments get downvoted for no apparent reason.
Fix: You’re likely commenting in a subreddit where the community uses downvotes to signal disagreement, not low quality. Switch to a different subreddit where your expertise fits. Match the community tone better.
Blocker 2: Subreddit requires 100 karma but you’re stuck at 20.
Fix: Find smaller subreddits in your niche (5k-50k members). They have lower karma requirements and are more welcoming to newcomers. Build karma there first, then move to larger subreddits.
Blocker 3: Automod removes your posts without explanation.
Fix: Message the mods politely. Wait 24 hours first. Say you’ve read the rules and ask what specifically got flagged. Most mods will tell you what to adjust.
Blocker 4: Your account is too new.
Fix: There’s no shortcut. Spend 2-4 weeks commenting before you need the account for anything. This is why people compare ready accounts with established history—it skips the waiting period. If you’re evaluating that route, check the account’s comment history quality, age, and niche fit before paying anything.
Practical example: a founder builds karma in 14 days
Meet Alex, a SaaS founder who wanted to participate in r/Entrepreneur and r/SaaS.
Days 1-3: Alex read the rules in both subreddits. He spent 30 minutes per day replying to questions about pricing and customer onboarding. His answers were specific, referencing real numbers from his own experience. Result: 35 comment karma.
Days 4-7: Alex moved to r/SaaS and answered 2-3 questions daily. He averaged 5-8 upvotes per comment. Result: 85 comment karma. He noticed his best responses were stories with concrete numbers (“we lost 30% of trials when we added a credit card form”).
Days 8-10: Alex attempted his first post in r/Entrepreneur. It got 12 upvotes and 9 comments. Not viral, but enough to pass most post karma requirements.
Days 11-14: Alex kept commenting while his post sat. By day 14, he had 130 comment karma and 15 post karma. He could now participate in most business subreddits without restrictions.
What Alex didn’t do: no link dropping, no copy-paste replies, no “upvote for upvote” schemes. His account had visible history that would pass a moderator’s review.
Action checklist
- Read subreddit rules for karma minimums before commenting
- Build 50+ comment karma before attempting your first post
- Check your karma breakdown on your profile page
- Match the community tone in your replies
- Wait 24 hours before messaging mods about removed content
- Review your comment history weekly for quality signals
Final takeaway
Karma is a means to an end. The goal is to have visible comment history that shows you’re a real participant in the communities you care about. Start with comments, not posts. Follow subreddit rules over your own instincts. And give it two weeks before you evaluate your progress. That’s how Reddit karma actually works.
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.
FAQ
Q: How long does it take to get 100 karma on Reddit?
A: With consistent daily commenting (2-5 quality replies per day) in niche subreddits, most users reach 100 comment karma within 1-2 weeks. Posting links early typically slows this down because most subreddits auto-filter posts from low-karma accounts.
Q: Is comment karma or post karma more important?
A: Comment karma is generally more useful for credibility because it shows visible interaction in discussions. Moderators often check comment history to verify an account is a real participant. Post karma matters in some contexts, especially where communities evaluate submitted posts, but it’s not a substitute for comment history.
Q: Why did my post get removed even though I have karma?
A: Subreddits have multiple filters. You may meet the karma minimum but fail other checks like account age, link domain restrictions, or flair requirements. Check the subreddit rules again carefully, then message the moderators for specifics.
Q: Can I buy Reddit karma?
A: Buying karma directly violates Reddit’s rules and often leads to account suspension. Some services sell accounts with existing comment karma and visible history—this is a different workflow. If you consider this route, evaluate account age, comment history quality, niche fit, and access security before paying.
Q: Do downvotes matter if I have enough karma overall?
A: Yes. Moderators and automated filters can flag accounts with high downvote ratios. A single heavily downvoted comment doesn’t hurt much, but repeated downvotes in the same subreddit can get you banned. Focus on quality, not just the total number.
