What is Reddit? How it workshistory and pros and cons

What are subreddits and how do they work?

The Reddit site is composed of hundreds of subcommunitiesknown as subreddits or subs. Each subreddit posts on a sidebar its own rules set by admins. Subreddits also have specific topicssuch as technologypolitics or music.

Reddit's homepageor the front pageis composed of the most popular posts from each default subreddit. The default list is predetermined and includes subreddits such as "pics," "funny," "videos," "news" and "gaming."

Reddit site membersalso known as redditorssubmit content that other members vote on. The goal is to send well-regarded content to the top of the site's front page. Content is voted on via upvotes and downvotes -- arrows on which users click to the left of a post. The more upvotes a post getsthe more popular it becomesand the higher up it appears on its respective subreddit or the front page.

Subreddits are typically managed by moderatorsalso known as mods. To access a subreddit via the address barsimply type "reddit.com/r/subreddit name."

What is Reddit used for?

Reddit serves a variety of purposes for its usersincluding the following:

• Content discovery and creation. As a content aggregatorReddit facilitates the discovery and discussion of a wide spectrum of topics. Users are empowered to share their perspectivesopinions and ideas on diverse topicsranging from contemporary events to highly specialized interests.
• Latest news and trends. Reddit helps users stay updated on the latest news and trends and its forum- structure facilitates real-time discussions and insights on ongoing events.
• Community engagement. Reddit fosters a sense of community among its users. Through subredditsindividuals can connect with others who share similar interestsparticipate in discussions and seek advice or support on specific topics.
• Entertainment. Reddit serves as a major source of entertainment. Users flock to this social platform to enjoy a diverse range of contentincluding memeshumorous anecdotes and creative works. The sheer variety of subreddits ensures that users with interests ranging from humor and art to gaming can easily find content that appeals to them.

How to use Reddit

Reddit can be accessed through its official website and mobile appalthough there are several alternative apps and websites that offer a great user experience. Upon arriving on the site's front pageusers will notice a list of posts -- a collection of text postslink postsimages and videos. For users who are logged out of a Reddit accountthe front page is composed of the site's default subreddits -- a list of about 50 topics including musicvideosnews and GIFs. After creating an accountusers are automatically subscribed to the list of default subreddits. Users can unsubscribe to any of the default subreddits they don't wish to viewand they can subscribe to additional subreddits to get a personalized front page of content that interests them.

Users can also comment on posts after creating an account. Commenting is one of Reddit's core featuresand it's the primary way for users to interact with each otherbesides private messaging. Commentssuch as postscan be voted on by users and are ranked accordingly. The comment with the highest number of votes sits at the top of the comment section and is referred to as the top comment.

The following is a step-by-step guide on how to use Reddit:

1. Create an account. Once users sign up for a free account on Redditthey can participate in discussionspost and share contentand customize their experience.
2. Explore subreddits. Subreddits are dedicated to specific topics and users can browse popular subreddits or search for ones that match their interests. To subscribe to a subredditusers simply click the Join button on its page. This adds the subreddit to their homepage feedletting them see posts from that community.
3. Engage with content. Once subscribed to subredditsusers can start engaging with the content. They can upvote or downvote posts and comments based on whether they find them helpful or interesting. This voting system helps surface the best content within each subreddit.
4. Post content. If someone has something to sharethey can create their own post. They should choose the appropriate subredditclick on Create Post and follow the prompts to add a title and content.
5. Comment and participate. Users can engage in discussions by commenting on posts. They can ask questionsshare their thoughts or provide additional information.
6. Follow the rules. Each subreddit has its own set of rules and guidelines. Users should familiarize themselves with these to ensure their posts and comments are appropriate and well-received.
7. Use the search function. If a user is looking for specific topics or discussionsthey can use the search bar at the top of the page to help them find relevant subreddits or posts quickly.
8. Stay respectful and safe. Users should remember to be respectful to other users and follow Reddit's community guidelines. They should also avoid sharing personal information and be mindful of the tone of their comments.

What are the pros and cons of using Reddit?

Reddit offers both advantages and disadvantages for its usersdepending on how it's used and the context in which it's engaged.

Pros of using Reddit

• User-friendly interface. Known for its intuitive designReddit is easy to navigatemaking it accessible to users of all experience levels and even those who are new to the platform.
• Diverse communities. With thousands of subreddits covering virtually every topic imaginableusers can easily find communities that align with their interests on the Reddit platform.
• Anonymity. The anonymity feature of Reddit lets users participate without revealing their identities. This fosters a more open and honest environmentespecially when users are discussing sensitive topics.
• Real-time information. Reddit serves as a hub for real-time discussions and updates on current eventsmaking it a valuable resource for staying informed about news and trends.
• Voting system. Reddit's upvote and downvote system curates content by surfacing the most relevant and high-quality postsmaking it easier for users to find valuable and highly relevant information.
• Education and knowledge. With numerous subreddits dedicated to learning and sharing knowledgeReddit serves as an effective platform for acquiring and distributing educational content and knowledge.

Cons of using Reddit

• Moderation issues. Inconsistent moderation in some subreddits can lead to issues such as harassment or inappropriate contentpotentially creating a negative experience for users.
• Misinformation. The open nature of the Reddit platform can contribute to the spread of misinformationparticularly within subreddits dedicated to controversial topics.
• Echo chambers. The upvote/downvote system can lead to echo chamberswhere only popular opinions are given prioritypotentially stifling diverse viewpoints and healthy debate.
• Privacy concerns. While Reddit enables anonymityprivacy and security concerns persist on the platform due to the collection of data on user behavior.
• Time consuming and addictive. Reddit's endless scroll feature and the pursuit of social validation through upvotes can create an addictive cyclepotentially leading to excessive time spent on the platform and neglecting other aspects of life.
• Exposure to negative content. Due to its vast and diverse content libraryReddit can expose users to a wide range of materialincluding potentially controversial or distressing content. Although users have the option to filter certain topicsit's possible to end up encountering negative or harmful content.

Reddit company information

Steve HuffmanAlexis Ohanian and Aaron Swartz started Reddit in 2005and Condé Nast Publications acquired the site in October 2006. Reddit split from Condé Nast in 2011 and now operates under Advance Publications.

The following is an overview of Reddit:

• Headquarters. RedditInc. is based in San FranciscoCalif.
• Employees. The company has approximately 3,693 employees according to RocketReach.
• Revenue. Reddit generated around $1.12 billion in revenue in 2024 according to Stock Analysis.
• Community focus. The platform hosts over 138,000 communities according to Mainstreethost.
• Reddit users. According to Social Champthere are more than 5 billion registered users.
• Active subreddits. Reddit has approximately 140,000 active subreddits at any given time according to Social Champ.

Site statistics and user demographics

Reddit is a widely used platform with significant user engagement and diverse demographics. The following are some key statistics and insights into its user base:

• Popularity. According to rankings published by Foundation MarketingReddit is now the sixth most popular website in the U.S.
• Total number of downloads. According to Social Champthere were over 5 million global mobile app downloads in 2024.
• Daily active users. Reddit company-published data boasts approximately 73.1 million daily active users worldwide.
• Age group. According to Exploding Topics44% of Reddit users are in the 18-to-29 age group.
• Gender breakdown. According to Social Champapproximately 36.4% of Reddit users are womenindicating a growing female presence on the platform.

How much does it cost to use Reddit?

Reddit use is primarily freeenabling users to create accountsbrowse content and participate in discussions without any charges. Howeverthe optional paid subscription service called Reddit Premium is $49.99 annually and $5.99 monthly. The subscription offers users several exclusive featuresincluding an ad-free browsing experienceaccess to the members-only lounge and a monthly allowance of Reddit Coins to spend on awards for other users.

While Reddit remains free for individual usersin April 2023the company updated its Data API termsrestricting free use of its platform's data for commercial purposes.

Notable controversies

Since its inceptionReddit has been the subject of many controversiessome great enough to make the news. The following are some of the most notable controversies:

• Boston Marathon bombing. Following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombingReddit usersacting as online detectiveswrongly identified Sunil Tripathia missing college studentas a suspect. This led to widespread harassment and scrutiny of Tripathi and his familyultimately contributing to his tragic suicide.
• Spread of misinformation. The decentralized nature of the platform and the lack of rigorous fact-checking mechanisms can contribute to the rapid dissemination of false information. Reddit has been criticized for its role in the spread of misinformationparticularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. For exampleclaims circulated on the Reddit platform regarding harmful ingredients in vaccinessuch as microchips or 5G technology.
• r/Jailbait. In 2011, the r/Jailbait subredditdedicated to sharing suggestive or revealing photos of underage girlssparked widespread outrage and led to its closure. This incident highlighted the potential for exploitation and the challenges of moderating content on the platform.
• Application programming interface (API) controversy. In 2023Reddit faced backlash over changes to its API policieswhich led to the removal of entire moderation teams from some subreddits. This action was taken due to violations of Reddit's Content Policy and Moderator Code of Conductsparking debates about the platform's governance and the role of moderators.
• Russian influence. Over the yearsReddit has raised concerns about foreign interference and the potential for online manipulation and cyberattacks. Investigations revealed that Russian-sponsored troll accounts and bots had infiltrated prominent subredditsaiming to manipulate public opinion and sow discord. In 2018The Daily Beast obtained leaked documents from the Internet Research Agencya private company that conducted influence operations on behalf of the Russian government between 2013 and 2018. These documents detailed the agency's efforts to manipulate public opinion on Reddit.

Is it safe to use Reddit?

Reddit can be a safe platform if used with caution. The following are some safety tips that Reddit users should consider:

• Be selective about subreddits. Users should choose subreddits that align with their interests and avoid those known for negativity or toxicity.
• Utilize filtering options. Users can block specific subredditskeywords or types of content using Reddit's filtering options.
• Protect privacy. Users should avoid sharing personal information online and use a unique and strong password for their Reddit account. Enabling two-factor authentication for added security is also advisable.
• Be mindful of time. Users should set limits on their daily Reddit usage and take regular breaks to avoid excessive screen time.
• Report inappropriate content. If users encounter harmful or illegal contentthey should report it to Reddit using the appropriate tools.
• Be critical of information. Users should be mindful of the potential for misinformation and critically evaluate information before sharing or believing it.

Who are Reddit's competitors?

Reddit faces competition from various platforms that focus on online communitiessocial interactiondiscussion and user-generated content.

Reddit's main competitors include the following:

• Quora. This question-and-answer platform lets users ask questions and receive answers from the community. Quora focuses more on knowledge sharing and expertisemaking it a different but relevant competitor.
• Discord. While primarily a communication platform for gamersDiscord has evolved to host various communities and discussionsmaking it a competitor in terms of community engagement.
• 4chan/8chan. These are anonymous imageboards with a focus on discussion boards and forums. They're known for their unique culture and sometimes controversial content.
• Stack Exchange. This is a network of question-and-answer sites focused on specific topics. These sites typically attract users seeking expert knowledge and in-depth discussions.

Social media platforms such as FacebookX (formerly Twitter)TikTok and YouTube aren't direct competitors in the same nichebut they offer functionalities that overlap with Redditsuch as community building and content sharing. This makes them relevant competitorsalthough with distinct focuses and user experiences.

Popular acronyms

Many acronyms are unique to Reddit. They are commonly found in post titlessubreddit rules and comments. The following is a breakdown of some of the most commonly used acronyms on the site.

• ELI5 (Explain Like I'm 5). This acronym is used when redditors want something explained to them in simple termsas if they were a five-year-old asking for the answer to a question. A popular subreddit"r/explainlikeimfive," exists for this purpose.
• TL; DR or TLDR (Too Long; Didn't Read). In some longer posts or commentsredditors might place a TL;DR or TLDR at the end of their text for the purpose of shortening what they wrote if other redditors don't want to take the time to read the entire post.
• NSFW (Not Safe For Work). When redditors make a post or comment that has explicit contentit is marked with NSFW to let other redditors know not to view the content at work or any place where explicit material would be unsuitable.
• TIL (Today I Learned). This is used mainly in the form of TIL posts when redditors want to share something new they learned.
• OP (Original Poster). OP is the redditor who created the initial post.
• AMA (Ask Me Anything). AMA is a popular acronym used on Reddit's r/IAmA subredditwhere redditors can post AMA threads. This is another name for a Q&A threadwhere redditors answer questions about their life andusuallytheir occupation. President Barack Obama made headlines when he participated in an AMA on Aug. 292012. He was the first sitting president to do so.
• IIRC (If I Recall Correctly). This acronym is used when someone is unsure about the accuracy of their statement.
• IMO (In My Opinion). This is a common acronym used in most subreddits.
• CMV (Change My View). This is a subreddit where users discuss topics with opposing viewpointsaiming to change each other's perspectives.

While Reddit remains primarily free for individual usersin 2023the company began charging enterprise developers for access to its API. Learn more about the Reddit API charges and what they entail.