What Is Reddit Used For? Communities, Voting and Rules

If you've only ever seen Reddit threads pop up in search results, it can look like a messy forum with no front door. It's more organised than it appears, and it's worth understanding whether you're a curious reader, a creator hunting for your audience or a small business owner wondering if it's worth your time.

I've based this on Reddit's own help centre, its company site and its published rules. I haven't padded it with user numbers, and I've kept to what Reddit says about itself.

What Reddit is used for in plain English

Reddit describes itself as a place where people get together to talk about any topic imaginable. Its help centre says you can share, vote and decide what matters in everything from breaking news to fandoms, lifehacks, gaming, sports, health and the internet's cutest animals.

In practice, people use Reddit to ask questions, find advice from people with the same interest, follow news and hobbies, share things they've made and join in discussions. Each of those happens in a separate community, so what you see depends on which ones you choose.

How posting, commenting and voting work on Reddit

The company site breaks the whole system into three actions:

• Post: the community can share content by posting stories, links, images and videos.
• Comment: people comment on posts, which Reddit says provides discussion and often humour.
• Vote: posts and comments can be upvoted or downvoted, and the most interesting content rises to the top.

That voting loop is what makes Reddit feel different from a feed that follows people. You follow topics, not just accounts. If you want to try posting yourself, my guide to posting on Reddit from a computer or the app covers the steps.

What Reddit communities are and why they matter

Reddit's rules describe the site as a vast network of communities that are created, run and populated by its users. Reddit Help adds that these smaller communities are also known as subreddits, and they're created and moderated by users like you.

Every community is defined by its users. Some of them help manage it as moderators. Reddit says the culture of each one is shaped by the rules moderators enforce and by the upvotes, downvotes and discussions of the members. That's why the same question can get a very different reception in two communities.

Finding your way around Reddit as a new reader

Reddit's help centre gives a few routes into communities.

• Use the search bar, which Reddit calls the most direct route. You don't need to start your search with "r/".
• Browse r/findareddit, r/newreddits and r/popular for inspiration.
• Open the navigation menu on the left and choose Explore Communities for trending topics and recommendations.

Before you comment anywhere, read the community's sidebar. Reddit says it usually shows the rules, guidelines and other useful resources, and it encourages everyone to read it before taking part for the first time.

What Reddit is used for by creators and small businesses

This is where Reddit trips people up. A community full of people who care about one subject is gold for learning what your audience asks, and a quick way to spot recurring problems. But Reddit's rules ask you to abide by community rules and to take part authentically in communities where you have a personal interest, and not to spam or use disruptive behaviour, including content manipulation.

So listening first is the sensible approach: help people, and only mention what you do when it's useful and allowed. A shop owner might read a hobby community to understand common questions. A freelancer might answer questions in their field. Neither should drop links everywhere.

If you're thinking about brand-building there, my breakdown of Reddit's own marketing strategy is a good case study.

What Reddit isn't used for

Reddit's rules set out what isn't welcome, and it's worth knowing before you join in:

• Attacking or harassing people. Rule 1 says to remember the human, and it bans hate based on identity or vulnerability.
• Sharing someone's private or personal information, or intimate media without consent.
• Impersonating a person or organisation, or misleading others on purpose.
• Spamming or manipulating votes and content.

You don't have to use your real name. Reddit's rule on being authentic says you can stay anonymous, but you shouldn't try to mislead people or pretend to be someone else.

Who runs Reddit's rules: moderators and admins

Reddit's rules explain two layers. Community rules are enforced by moderators, who are users that help manage the community. Below them sit the platform-wide rules that apply to everyone, and those are enforced by Reddit itself, through its admins.

If you'd like to set up your own space, my step-by-step on making a subreddit shows what you'll decide as a founder.

Is Reddit a social network or a forum?

Reddit doesn't use either label in its help. It talks about communities, conversations and "authentic human connection" on its home page. Think of it as a collection of topic spaces, each with its own culture, rules and moderators, joined together under one account.

Getting started on Reddit sensibly

1. Search for a topic you already care about and read a few threads.
2. Read the sidebar of any community before taking part.
3. Join a handful of communities and see how the conversations feel.
4. Comment helpfully before you post anything of your own.
5. Report anything that breaks Reddit's rules through the platform, and if you ever feel in danger, contact the police.

Frequently asked questions

What is Reddit mainly used for?

Reddit says it's where people get together to talk about any topic. People post, comment and vote in communities built around shared interests.

Do I need an account to use Reddit?

Reddit's help says to get started by signing up for a Reddit account if you're ready to join the conversation.

What is a community on Reddit?

A community, also called a subreddit, is a smaller space within Reddit created and moderated by users and dedicated to a specific topic.

Can I use my real name on Reddit?

You don't have to. Reddit's rules say you can be anonymous, but you shouldn't intentionally mislead others or impersonate someone.

Is Reddit good for small businesses?

It can help you listen and learn. Reddit's rules ask for authentic participation and no spam, so follow each community's rules before you mention what you do.

Who enforces the rules on Reddit?

Moderators enforce each community's rules, and Reddit's admins enforce the platform-wide rules that apply to everyone.