What is Karma on Reddit?

Asked 5 months ago
Karma on Reddit is a system that reflects the contributions and reputation of a user within the community. It is divided into two main types: post karma and comment karma. Post karma is earned when other users upvote content that a user submits, such as links, images, or text posts. Comment karma accumulates when users receive upvotes on their comments in various threads. Conversely, users can lose karma if their submissions or comments receive downvotes. The primary purpose of the karma system is to encourage quality contributions and engagement with the content on the platform. While karma does not provide any tangible benefits, a higher karma score can enhance a user's credibility and visibility within the Reddit community. It is important to note that the exact algorithms and methods for calculating karma can vary, and users should focus on contributing positively to discussions. For more information on how karma works, users may want to check the currently available resources on the Reddit website.
Jeff Whelpley is the editor / author responsible for this content.
Answered Jul 9, 2025

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