What is Reddit – A Beginners Guide
Social platforms and forums are dominating the Internet, and one of them is Reddit. Its name is a play on certain words that are “I read it.” This social site is also known as “the front page of the Internet.” And in some cases, it’s actually true.
Users can create and share posts here on which other members can give their views. As of now, it has hundreds of millions of users.
In this article, we will discuss what is Reddit. We will analyze it comprehensively to understand how it works. let’s get going.
What is Reddit?
Reddit is an online platform where users can post anything related to their interests. These posts can contain pictures, videos, links, and text. Its usage is completely free. However, you need an account to use some basic features.
Some die-hard fans of the platform purchase its gold membership as well. It lets them enjoy some exclusive features.
Reddit has now become the most popular website on the Internet containing interesting news and trends. It’s important to understand that this is a public forum website. People post offensive and inappropriate content on it as well. Keeping yourself safe from it is recommended.
Understanding the Workings of Reddit
Reddit works just like any other social media platform. However, people cannot post individually on it. They have to publish content in communities called subreddits. They focus on certain themes, topics, or ideas. Anyone interested in such ideas can join these subreddits.
They can post relevant content here. Other members can interact with this content by upvoting or commenting on the post. The site also allows users to reshare this content on other subreddits or anywhere else.
Most of these communities have certain rules for posting and behaving. Users have to follow them. Otherwise, they can get restricted or permanently banned from that community.
How to Use Reddit?
Here are some guidelines that can help you use Reddit:
Profile Creation:
First, you need to create a profile on Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/). Although you can browse the platform without it, having a profile will let you use major features.
- Click on the “Login” button.
- Click on the “Sign Up” button after that.
- Enter an email address.
- After that, select a username and a password.
- Now, select all the topics that you are interested in. You have to pick at least 1 of them.
- Once you’re done, you will start seeing the posts that interest you.
Joining Subreddits:
You can search for anything to find relevant subreddits. Use the search bar for that.
Hit the “Join” button to join your selected subreddit.
Posting on subreddits:
Once you have joined, you can start creating posts in these communities.
- Click on the “Create a post” option for that.
- You can add the post title and description in the designated places. You can also upload videos and images on it.
- Some communities require you to select a flair. It helps them categorize your post.
- Now, you can click on the “Post” button to upload it.
- You may require the moderator’s approval to finally upload the story. This happens in big subreddits.
Understanding the Top Features of Reddit
After discussing what is Reddit, let’s understand its top features:
Voting and ranking:
The ranking of a post depends purely on the voting and engagement rate. A post can have upvotes and downvotes. Its chances of being in the top posts increase with the number of upvotes it receives. This is because of a single, basic fact. User-helpful material is highly valued on Reddit.
A comment will rise to the top, for instance, if it receives more upvotes. It will get hidden if there are more downvotes.
Profiles:
Your profile is the main hub of all of your Reddit activities. You can see all of your posts and comments here. It is also used to view the posts that you have saved. Your contribution to Reddit is measured by a point system known as Karma. These points can be earned by engaging with comments and posts. Karma can be useful to make your profile more credible. It’s even a requirement to join some subreddits.
Avatars:
Your profile picture is represented by avatars. These are special icons that can help you create your digital persona. You can customize them according to your liking. This means changing their clothes, hairstyle, etc.
Save favorite content:
Reddit allows you to save your favorite content. Since a lot of posts are published on it each day, finding a piece of content again can be difficult. So, you can save it on your profile so that finding it later becomes easier.
Direct messages:
You also get a direct message on Reddit. This feature can come in handy when you want to interact with someone privately. You can also send them pictures and videos in messages.
Reddit premium:
The Reddit premium version offers some very exclusive features to users. Some of the major ones are listed below:
- It allows you to have a completely ad-free experience.
- You can enjoy some exclusive Avatar gear with it.
- You can use a custom app icon with this subscription.
- It gives you access to an exclusive subreddit known as r/lounge.
- You also receive a monthly allowance of Reddit coins.
- You will get early access to any new feature.
Reddit Pricing:
Here are its pricing details:
- $5.99/month
- $49.55/year
Is Reddit worth Buying?
The premium version is worth it if you like having an ad-free experience. It is also recommended if you like to customize your user experience as well. If you are okay without such things, purchasing this version may not be worth it.
Final Lines
What is Reddit? Understanding this is useful if you like to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and news related to any field. It is an online platform where users post content of their liking. It consists of subreddits. They are communities containing a certain type of content. You can post and interact with other users as well.
As you keep on interacting, your Karma increases. This makes your profile a lot more credible. Using this application is also very easy. You can create a profile on it and start posting. Just make sure to read community guidelines before doing that. Reddit has millions of users around the world. That is due to its amazing features. We have described them in detail in the information given above. We also have shared information about its premium version.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is creating an account necessary to browse Reddit?
Browsing Reddit casually does not require an account creation.
Can I post individually on my profile?
No. You can only post in subreddits.
What if I receive a lot of negative Karma?
Receiving negative Karma can decrease your profile’s credibility. You will not be able to join or post in some specific communities.
Does Reddit have a mobile application?
Yes. Reddit has a very functional mobile application.