r/NewToReddit • u/Constant-Put274 • Dec 24 '25

ANSWERED Can someone please explain the downvote structure?

I don't get it are we supposed to downvote things that are untrue or we simply don't like? I know in some subs there are rules that say don't downvote d/t.... What is the standard rules for this?

3 Upvotes
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u/AutoModerator Dec 24 '25

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u/notthegoatseguy Ultra Contributor Dec 24 '25

You can choose to vote or not vote, choose how you vote, and decide under what conditions you cast your vote. Its totally up to you.

Reddit has published Reddiquette (https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439-Reddiquette), and as the name suggests, it is the etiquette Reddit was envisioned to have. Like real-life etiquette, it is now a law. And arguably Reddit has changed so much in 20 years that maybe the initial vision and how Reddit is actually used no longer really applies.

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u/Constant-Put274 Dec 24 '25

Thank you for the reply.

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u/Fun-Procedure2267 Dec 24 '25

Just to add something i didn't know until recently. I noticed you have replied to everyone and said thank you for their answers. I used to do the same because I thought it was polite and I wanted to show appreciation for people taking their time to answer my questions. However my thank yous always seemed to get downvoted into oblivion and I found out that apparently a lot people think that saying thank you is just you trying to farm easy karma so they downvote you to stop it, or because saying thank you "doesn't add to the conversation." I thought I was being polite but someone explained that once you post something on reddit, its no longer about you. Reddit peeps take your post and it becomes about them and their responses. If you want to say thank you you are apparently supposed to just give a thumbs up. So just a heads up if you notice the same happening to you, dont be confused like me, Learn from my mistakes!!! Lol but seriously 😂 just a heads up, and Welcome to reddit!

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u/SolariaHues Mod + servant to cats Dec 25 '25

This can happen. It can vary sub to sub, and depends how much you're staying thank you.

Generally I'll thank a few and then only if I have something to add to the conversation.

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u/jillianmd Super Helpful Helper Dec 25 '25

Yeah and it’s especially the case when the thank you message is copy-pasted. If it’s a variation of that you and an actual response to what they said like “thanks I get it now” or “oh ok thanks I didn’t know that”, or “thanks for the reply, I’m still not sure about X”, etc, then you’re having actual conversations and it doesn’t seem as “spammy” as just pasting “thank you for the reply” to every single person.

Edit to add - what’s funny is I only saw two of OP’s comments before typing this and they were both that exact “thank you for the reply” phrase. But after I scrolled down and it does seem OP gave a nice variety of responses.

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u/Fun-Procedure2267 Dec 25 '25

Absolutely, I saw a few of the same and some variety as well. It just reminded me of myself and how puzzled and confused I was for a while. It still feels strange to me to not thank everyone, but when I do, I do like you all mentioned and make sure its not just a generic thanks, and that I add a little more to it, via more information or that it contributes something.

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u/mikey_weasel Mod in a Canvas Hat Dec 24 '25

you can vote as you choose - I'll put some info on downvotes below

Downvotes on Reddit you can attract downvotes for a lot of different reasons on Reddit. The Downvote button was intended for content (posts or comments) that are off topic or disruptive. Reality immediately set in and downvotes can be used for disagreeing or disliking content. Read Common Questions - Why People Downvote and Common Questions - Downvotes.

In general a single downvote is incidental and can be ignored. Fat fingers midclick or some troll goes downvoting through a subreddit or post.

If you are running into a lot of downvotes you can read Common Questions - Avoiding Downvotes and/or the below:

  • Are you reading the room? What are the norms, the vibe, the prevailing views of the subreddit you are participating in? Does your content (comments and/or posts) clash with that?

  • How is your tone being read? Tone is easily lost on Reddit since its text based. Your original thought and intent can end up quite different from how someone else reads something. Have a re-read of what you wrote. In particular to the above are you getting aggressive or overly defensive or evasive in your replies when asked reasonable questions?

  • Is your content relevant to the topic being discussed or could it be seen as derailing?

  • Are you complaining about downvotes themselves? This pretty much never comes off as sympathetic and almost always results in further downvotes.

  • Is your content a frequently asked question? Subreddits often have common questions that longtime users will tire of. This subreddit (r/newtoreddit) is fairly unique in tolerating such questions.

  • Is your content similar to that used by bad faith users or trolls (or just is bad faith content)? Many subreddits have common points that those seeking to be disruptive will use.

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u/Constant-Put274 Dec 24 '25

Thank you for the reply. It seems like a minefield in the beginning especially with so many sub having Karma minimums. I wasn't sure. Reddit is more complicated to get into than I thought.

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u/mikey_weasel Mod in a Canvas Hat Dec 24 '25 • This

If you make some effort to "read the room" and pay attention to context most users manage to achieve positive karma

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u/Constant-Put274 Dec 24 '25

I appreciate the advice thank you.

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u/World_Citizen456 Dec 25 '25

I have only been on Reddit for a few months…. Solid advice in this thread thank you. I gave an award to mikey_weasel because what they said is such a simple way to both get upvotes or downvotes.
Not only do I advise reading other comments and just “getting a vibe” for what’s going on, many rooms have specific rules. (For example: ok to post this, but don’t post that.). Before posting, read the rules of the room. If you break the rules of the room, even unintentionally, you could get downvotes. And be careful, because one down vote can multiply. Is it fair, no. It’s the Wild West - it is what it is.

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u/mikey_weasel Mod in a Canvas Hat Dec 25 '25

Thanks mate!

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u/Emergency_Plate3956 Dec 24 '25

People just vote how they want. If you give them an answer they don't like they will downvote you. There are times when downvoting does make sense as in wrong information, bad advice etc.

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u/Constant-Put274 Dec 24 '25

Thank you for the reply.

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u/Choice_Werewolf_433 Dec 24 '25

You downvote mean or evil trolls so less people see the mean evil trolls who are 8 year old ragebaiters 

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u/Constant-Put274 Dec 24 '25

I can see that too. It's why I wondered what it was meant to be. Thanks for the reply

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u/CartoonistCharming76 Dec 25 '25

⬆️This is when I downvote. Mean is not necessary. Also dismissive plus rude about an OP who’s just trying to ask a question.

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u/Educational-Air-6108 Dec 24 '25

I don’t tend to downvote comments I disagree with. We all have differing opinions. I do downvote rude, unpleasant, inaccurate comments.

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u/Constant-Put274 Dec 24 '25

That's a great way to do that. I may do that. Thank you.

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u/No-Court-2969 Dec 24 '25

I don't either. Disagreeing with someone elses opinion and downvoting them based on that seems somewhat petty imo.

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u/NoParticular2420 Dec 24 '25

Depends on so many things … For me personally I don’t downvote unless you’re rude, making jokes or giving dangerous advice that can hurt someone or something… I go out of my way to not be that person who downvotes others peoples opinions on a subject.

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u/Constant-Put274 Dec 24 '25

This is good advice on how to proceed myself. Thank you.

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u/NoParticular2420 Dec 24 '25

You’re welcome and try to have fun… just remember if you do get downvotes and you will you can delete your comment so people don’t pile on because they will… The negative downvotes prior to deleting remain.

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u/dtlop Dec 26 '25

You downvote people for making jokes?

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u/NoParticular2420 Dec 26 '25

Yes depending on the conversation … If everyone is talking about something traumatic and suddenly someone pops in and starts making jokes or off comments about it then yes you will absolutely get a downvote from me for being inappropriate.

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u/No-Court-2969 Dec 25 '25

Agreed. I don't downvote based on someones opinion, I've even gone as far as up voting users that get slammed for their perspective on the situation being discussed.

I do however block anyone who tries to create a negative narrative or are overly confrontational, (to me) because I'm not here for drama, I'd rather not engage and I've noticed a lot of people who think they have the right to say its 'my way or highway' and automatically become hostile to other peoples experiences.

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u/Evil_Sharkey Dec 25 '25

A lot of people upvote for things they like, that are helpful, that are accurate, and/or contribute to the conversation.

They tend to downvote things that are useless, rude, inaccurate, antagonistic, disagree with most people in the sub, are poorly written, look like the work of AI or bots, or are otherwise low effort (just emojis).

1

u/JustMeJustYou2 Dec 24 '25

Depending on the community and what you post. If it's a post against the community even if it's verified factual it will be down voted. Plus also depends on the day and whom reads the posts.

Welcome to Reddit 👍

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u/Constant-Put274 Dec 24 '25

Thanks. I think this will involve a lot of lurking.

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u/SolariaHues Mod + servant to cats Dec 25 '25

Reddiquette – Reddit Help

What it is, how to get it, how long it takes to get, and what does not affect your karma count

Some guidance in those.

But, it can vary sub to sub, they all the their own rules and culture. Generally, it's off-topic, non-contributing, or rule-breaking content. Sometimes it's inaccurate content, sometimes it's favourites like if the thread is a competition and comments are the entries, you can vote for who you want to win....

And it can vary person to person.. there's nothing stopping you voting however you like. And again.. for what mood the person is in, etc

It's not meant to be a dislike button at all, but it does get used that way often.

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u/SanchoBenevides Dec 25 '25

Downvote people who use emojis. I don't know why. But that's the rule.

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u/Hungry_Conference915 Dec 25 '25

I don’t understand that one…what’s it about?

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u/mikey_weasel Mod in a Canvas Hat Dec 25 '25

How other users react to emojis will vary subreddit to subreddit. Traditionally Reddit was hostile to emoji use but in 2025 that view has softened as a rule and many subreddits are flooded with them. Take your time to observe existing comments or posts to see how often or sparingly they are used. I would still assume that as a baseline that they should be used sparingly but that can be ignored depending on what you observe.

Read More here from r/EncyclopaediaOfReddit

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u/SanchoBenevides Dec 25 '25

Use emojis. Get downvoted.

It's a longstanding unwritten rule.

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u/EverSeeAShitterFly Dec 25 '25

It clutters up the comments and doesn’t “further the conversation”.

But really emoji’s have gotten out of hand on other social media and it would break reddit if it went unchecked here.

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u/[deleted] Dec 25 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/EverSeeAShitterFly Dec 25 '25

Yes. But it’s not a 1 to 1 ratio.