Imagine a social network without intrusive algorithms, endless stories, and a feed where friends' posts are mixed with ads. Instead, there are thousands of separate communities discussing anything from space technology to cat memes. Welcome to Reddit—a universe where live discussions reign.
Here, trends are born that later spread across the internet. Memes, sensations, scientific discoveries, absurd theories—everything first emerges in subreddits before hitting Twitter, Facebook, and even the media.
This guide will help you understand what Reddit is all about. You will learn why this platform is called "the front page of the internet" and how it differs from typical social networks. You will grasp how the platform works: what karma, subreddits, upvotes, and AMA sessions are. We'll explain how to register on Reddit and set up your account.
Additionally, you will master the local slang: what "TL;DR," "OP," and other seemingly confusing terms mean. Finally, we will recommend which subreddits to check out first, where you can easily spend hours or even the entire night.
How Reddit Works
How does Reddit work? Imagine a gigantic bulletin board where anyone can pin their note—funny, smart, strange, or downright crazy. Now add to that millions of people voting for the best posts, debating in comments, and creating communities on any topic—from cute cats to serious historical debates.
That is Reddit—not just a social network but a living, breathing organism.
What sets it apart from all other social networks? And what can you actually do on Reddit?
Here, you can be anyone. No real names, Instagram filters, or annoying followers. Just your username and the freedom to express your thoughts.
People, not algorithms, decide what content will be popular. If a post receives many upvotes, it rises to the top. If not, it disappears without a trace. No hidden manipulations, just pure democracy.
You can interact with celebrities, scientists, and extraordinary personalities. Reddit hosts AMAs (Ask Me Anything) where you can ask questions to Elon Musk, Bill Gates, or even a guy who bought a nuclear reactor on eBay.
This platform emerged in 2005 and remains one of the most popular sites. Billions of views, memes, scandals, scientific discoveries, and absurd stories—all can be found here.
How Reddit is Structured: Key Elements
Do you know how a regular forum works? Broadly speaking, this platform resembles a forum. But let's take a closer look at what Reddit is and how to use it.
Subreddits
There is no single feed like in Facebook or Twitter. Instead, there are separate communities called subreddits. They are like clubs based on interests: some are serious, others absurd, and some simply strange.
For example, in r/AskHistorians, you can ask any historical question or discuss an event from the past. In r/AnimalsBeingDerps, users share funny or clumsy animal videos.
Anyone can create a subreddit. Want a community for discussing books written with the left hand in the rain? If it doesn't exist yet, go for it.
Posts
Reddit is not just a platform for likes and comments. It’s a place where people share their thoughts, experiences, news, and even cat pictures. Here, everyone can become part of a community where their voice is heard, and their story is told. That’s what Reddit is for—simple communication without the gloss of social networks.
On Reddit, you will find not only funny stories but also deep and touching ones. People share their joys and sorrows, funny moments, and life struggles.
If your faucet is broken, if you want to understand a complicated relationship, or if you just seek advice on pet care, you will find answers here. Users share their experiences, offer advice, and support each other.
Reddit often becomes a source of current news. Here, you can learn about events that haven’t yet made it to the news feeds of major publications. Whether it’s global news or local happenings, Reddit users share fresh news and discuss them in real-time.
The main rule for using Reddit is to adhere to the specific community (subreddit) rules. In scientific communities, you will be expected to provide evidence and reasoned arguments. In humorous ones, only funny and amusing content is welcome. This allows everyone to find their place and enjoy interacting with like-minded people.
Votes
Unlike "likes," the voting system offers a more meaningful and useful tool for users. The familiar thumbs-up here is called an upvote.
What is an upvote on Reddit? They help highlight interesting, useful, or inspiring posts, pushing them up the feed. But it’s not that simple: downvotes hold particular significance. They are given not just for simple disagreement but for rule violations, spreading false information, or blatantly inappropriate content.
Comments
This is where life buzzes. A post about “the most ridiculous incident in school” can spark a lively discussion with hundreds of comments.
Sometimes, comments are more interesting than the post itself. Here, people:
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argue endlessly,
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share personal experiences,
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give unexpectedly smart advice,
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occasionally engage in verbal duels, but moderators ensure that everything stays within the bounds of decency.
Previously, you could mark the best comments with "awards" (like a gold star), but those have been removed.
Karma
This is your virtual status.
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It increases when your posts and comments receive positive evaluations.
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It doesn't grant special privileges, but a high karma level indicates that you are valued here.
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A low karma level may suggest that you are either a provocateur or just a newcomer trying to find your way.
Karma cannot be bought or exchanged for anything material—it merely reflects your activity on the platform.
Reddit Glossary: Key Terms
Here are key terms and tips that will help you understand how to post on Reddit using the platform's language!
Basic Concepts
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OP (Original Poster) — the author of the post. If someone comments "OP, explain!", they are waiting for a response from the creator of the discussion.
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TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) — a brief summary of a long text. It's often added at the end of a post, for example: “TL;DR: The cat stole my sandwich and ran off into the woods.”
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AMA (Ask Me Anything) — a Q&A session where anyone can ask an expert, celebrity, or person with an unusual experience anything. For example, Elon Musk’s famous AMA attracted thousands of comments.
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TIL (Today I Learned) — the beginning of a post with an unexpected fact.
About Content and Communities
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Repost — reposting someone else's content.
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NSFW (Not Safe For Work) — a warning about "adult" or shocking content (e.g., explicit photos or scenes of violence). Such posts are hidden behind a warning.
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Circlejerk — an ironic community that mocks popular clichés. For example, in r/gamingcirclejerk, they make jokes about computer game fans.
About People and Roles
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Mod (Moderator) — a moderator of a subreddit. These users keep order, can delete posts, or ban violators.
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Redditor — this term refers to any user of Reddit.
Less Obvious Terms
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Karma Whore — a person who chases "karma" by posting trivial or stolen content.
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Cake Day — the birthday of an account (Reddit marks it with a small cake next to the username).
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Based — informal approval meaning that a person is telling the truth or doing something cool.
Popular Subreddits to Start With
Here’s a selection of the most popular subreddits to kick off your introduction to the platform.
For Entertainment and Socializing
r/AskReddit
What’s it about? This is a huge community where you can ask questions and participate in exciting discussions.
What do they post?
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“People over 35, what are you missing and what is the younger generation likely to never understand?”
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“What’s the strangest compliment you’ve ever received?”
Why should you check it out? You can spend hours reading incredible life stories.
r/TIFU (Today I Fucked Up)
What’s it about? Stories about bad days, awkward moments, and fateful mistakes.
What do they post?
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“TIFU by sending my boss a meme instead of a report”
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“TIFU by trying to fix an outlet and cutting power to the entire house”
Why should you take a look? It’s funny, awkward, and very relatable for everyone.
r/Showerthoughts
What’s it about? Deep (or not so deep) thoughts that come to mind while in the shower.
What do they post?
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“If snakes had legs, they would wear sneakers”
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“If someone really had the worst day of their life, they would probably brush it off because ‘other people have it worse’.”
Why should you check it out? This is where memes and philosophical revelations are born.
For Learning and Useful Tips
r/explainlikeimfive (ELI5)
What’s it about? Complex concepts explained in simple terms, as if explaining to children.
What do they post?
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“Explain how blockchain works as if I’m 5 years old”
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“Why don’t airplanes fall if they are so heavy?”
Why should you check it out? If you don’t want to read scientific articles but need to understand the essence.
r/LifeProTips (LPT)
What’s it about? Life hacks for all occasions.
What do they post?
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“LPT: If you’re afraid of forgetting something in the morning, put it on your shoes”
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“LPT: Chew gum before an important conversation—it reduces stress”
Why should you check it out? Sometimes you find brilliant advice.
r/OutOfTheLoop
What’s it about? Explaining memes, trends, and scandals you may have missed.
What do they post?
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“What happened with the TikTok trend when people were dumping ice water on themselves?”
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“What’s the story with the ‘blue dress’ that everyone is discussing?”
Why should you check it out? To avoid feeling like the odd one out on the internet.
Memes and Humor
r/memes
What’s it about? Fresh memes on any topic.
What do they post?
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Template-based but funny images.
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Reactions to current events.
Why should you check it out? If you want light humor without deep meaning.
r/me_irl
What’s it about? Memes about everyday life in the spirit of “that’s literally me.”
What do they post?
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“When they say 'ask questions' at the meeting, and you have none”
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“Me, trying to look smart while the teacher explains the topic”
Why should you check it out? To realize you’re not alone in your experiences.
News and Technology
r/worldnews
What’s it about? News from around the world without embellishment.
What do they post?
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Politics, economics, global events.
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Discussions without fake news (moderators keep a strict eye).
Why should you check it out? To stay informed without clickbait.
r/technology
What’s it about? Technology, gadgets, IT news.
What do they post?
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“Apple has unveiled a new iPhone”
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“Scientists have created a battery that charges in 5 minutes”
Why should you check it out? If you’re interested in technology and science.
What’s it about? The future of science, technology, and humanity.
What do they post?
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“Will robots replace 40% of jobs in 20 years?”
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“Colonizing Mars: reality or fantasy?”
Why should you check it out? For those who enjoy dreaming about tomorrow.
Is It Worth Using Reddit?
Reddit is a place where you can find almost anything. But is it worth diving into this world?
On one hand, it’s home to real experts in various fields. Want to know a neurosurgeon's opinion on the latest research or get tips from professional bartenders? Easy.
On the other hand, not all corners of this site are equally welcoming. Some communities embrace newcomers warmly, while others resemble closed clubs with their own rules. Moderation can vary: in some places, a minor violation may get you banned, while in others, blatant trolling is tolerated for a long time.
The more time you spend on Reddit, the more unusual communities you discover, such as “People Who Eat Soup with a Fork” or “Photos of Forgotten Bus Stops.” This can be intriguing, but it consumes an unreal amount of time. Worse than getting lost in Reels.
But be prepared for the interface to feel outdated. It gives the impression that it was designed in 2005 and hasn’t changed much since. The first few days will require some adjustment, but over time, it will become part of your experience.
Tip: Start small. Subscribe to a few communities that interest you and just observe.
And importantly! Reddit is not LinkedIn or Instagram. The rules for business here are different. You can't just post a pretty post with hashtags and expect a flow of clients. The platform operates under its own laws: anonymity, sincerity, and a disdain for overt marketing. But if you play by the rules, Reddit can become a powerful tool for business.
When does Reddit work for business?
- If your product or service targets geeks, enthusiasts, or niche audiences.
Gamers, IT professionals, collectors, technology fans—these (and many others) communities thrive here. If your business relates to such topics, Reddit can be a goldmine. -
If you’re ready to engage, not sell.
Redditors can sniff out advertising from a mile away. But if you share your expertise, answer questions, and help, you will earn their respect. And trust here translates into loyalty. -
For gathering feedback and testing ideas.
Want to know what real users think about your product? Ask a question in the right subreddit (just avoid direct self-promotion). The answers will be honest—sometimes even too honest.
Why does Reddit matter for business? If your audience is here and you're ready to play by its rules, this platform can provide loyal customers, honest feedback, and even viral growth.
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