There are several social media platforms currently working around the world. None of them have the audacity of calling itself the “front page of the Internet.” But Reddit claims itself. If you look at its popularity, you will come to know that it is a valid claim. Google has even started showing query results of this platform in the SERP.
It is actually a network of different forums where people connect with each other. They share ideas about almost everything around the world. In this blog post, I have explained what is Reddit quite comprehensively. Also, I will share how to use it. Let’s start.
What is Reddit?
Reddit is a social media platform that consists of thousands of forums containing news and information. The users of this platform are on the lookout for the latest news and trends about different topics. They can share this news in the form of posts on this site.
Other users are free to share their views on it and express whether they’ve liked the post or not. Users join communities that interest them. They usually do this to stay up-to-date on what’s happening around the world.
Understanding the Components of Reddit
Reddit isn’t like other social media platforms. It works very differently. There are proper sets of rules that you have to follow. Understanding its different components can help you use it better. Here are their details.
A User Profile
A user profile is where all your Reddit-related data is stored. It’s the same as setting up a profile on any other social networking platform, including Instagram. Everything you have put on this site, including comments and posts, is viewable here. It also shows your username and avatar.
Subreddits
Subreddits are the forums and communities of this site. You have to keep in mind that you cannot post something individually here. You have to do it in a relevant forum or subreddit. The names of these forums start with “r/”. After this, the actual name is displayed.
For example, if the forum is about gaming, its subreddit would be “r/gaming”. Usually, anyone can join these forums. Some have specific joining criteria.
Posts
Posts are the pieces of information you see within a subreddit. They usually contain a heading and a body. The heading highlights the information. The body contains its explanation. You can post anything relevant to the forum. However, you have to do it by following the community’s guidelines. Otherwise, it will get deleted.
Comments
Comments are the views people express on a post. They also have to be according to the rules and regulations. You can reply to a certain comment as well and give your opinions about something related to your interests.
Voting
Voting is how you rate a post on Reddit. If you like a post, you upvote it. And if you don’t, you downvote it. The popularity of posts is determined by votes. If it has more upvotes, it gets trendy. If it gets more downvotes, it doesn’t become very popular.
The same case is with the comments. The one with more downvotes gets hidden for a better user experience.
Karma
Karma is another important component you have to understand as a beginner. You can call it the reputation points of a user. The more Karma you get, the more authentic your profile becomes. You can earn it by actively engaging with communities and users. It is a good feature that discourages spam accounts.
So far, I have discussed what is Reddit along with its different components. Let’s see how a beginner can use it.
How to Use Reddit?
Here is a comprehensive guide on how to use Reddit.
Step 1 – Create a Profile
First of all, you have to create a profile on this site. Remember that you can browse Reddit without a profile. However, it is required to join and engage with communities. For that:
- Open any updated browser on your laptop or PC.
- Type Reddit in the search bar and press enter.
- From the results page, click on the official website.
- You can open the site directly by clicking here. (https://www.reddit.com/)
- On the homepage, click on three dots present in the top right corner.
- Now, choose the Login/Sign Up option.
- Again, find the Sign Up button and click on it.
- Choose Continue with Google or any other option per your convenience as going with Apple option helps you in iPhone backup.
- Select the Google account with which you are going to sign up on Reddit.
- Lastly, press Continue and you will done creating your account.
- Choose the niches or topics you are interested in to personalize your feed.
Step 2 – Join a Subreddit
You can use the search bar to find subreddits. Type a keyword and find your relevant communities.
- Use the search option to find any subreddit.
- Open the subreddit and click on the “Join” button.
Step 3 – Create a post:
- To create a post in a subreddit, click on the “Create a post” button.
- After that, explain your post with a heading and a body.
- Make sure to add more data according to the community guidelines. After that, click on the “Post” button.
You can see your posts in your profile section.
Tips and Tricks for Beginners to Use Reddit
Here are some useful tips for beginners for using Reddit:
- Don’t post right after joining a community. Your post may get deleted or counted as spam.
- Try to earn as many Karma points as you can. They will help you build your profile well.
- Read the community guidelines before joining it.
- Add all the required data from a community to a post before posting it.
- Try to add friends on this platform. Have a chat with them to have fun.
- Make sure to upvote the posts you like.
- Try to comment your views on a post. It will increase your engagement rate.
Final Words
To conclude it all, knowing what is Reddit is important if you like to stay up-to-date with different things. It is a social media site that covers new and trendy information about different topics. People can create profiles here and interact with this information. You can also post your own views about anything that you like.
This site has different components that make it unique. We have discussed them comprehensively in the information given above and also described how you can start using this site.
FAQs
Is there a premium version of Reddit?
Yes. There is a premium version available. However, it only offers some exclusive perks.
Can I use this site on my mobile device?
Indeed. You can use its app on your phone. You can also visit its site on a mobile browser.
How many Karma points do I need to make my profile authentic?
There is no definite number for that. Just focus on engaging organically. Your profile will gradually become authentic.