Reddit, one of the largest social media platforms today, thrives on meaningful interactions and content sharing. Reddit introduced its award system to encourage high-quality contributions and build stronger community engagement.
Reddit awards are a way to show appreciation for valuable posts or comments. They help highlight great content, motivate creators, and foster a more positive environment. In this guide, we’ll explore everything about Reddit awards: what they are, how they work, why they’re helpful, and how you can use them effectively.
By the conclusion of this article, you’ll have the insights necessary to fully leverage Reddit’s award system and boost your engagement in the community. Let’s get started!
What Are Reddit Awards?
Reddit awards are unique icons that users can give to posts or comments to recognize and celebrate meaningful contributions. Usually located beneath the content, these awards highlight the importance of what has been shared. They offer a way for users to show appreciation for one another’s efforts.
Did a comment strike a chord with you? Award it! Did a post brighten your day? Give it an award!
Why Are Awards Important?
- Recognition: Awards signify that the content has made an impact.
- Motivation: They encourage creators to produce more valuable content.
- Community Engagement: Awards create positive interactions within the subreddit and beyond.
What Happens When a Post or Comment Receives an Award?
When a post or comment receives an award:
- Award Icon Appears: A unique icon is displayed under the content, showcasing the type of award.
- Special Effects for the Giver: The giver sees their award with a golden glow, emphasizing their contribution.
- Award Count is Displayed: The total number of awards is visible, signaling the content’s popularity or importance.
This system not only boosts visibility for high-quality content but also encourages others to contribute thoughtfully.
Why Should You Use Reddit Awards?
Benefits of Giving Awards
- Show Gratitude: Awards are a meaningful way to express appreciation beyond an upvote.
- Encourage Quality Contributions: Users who receive awards are motivated to continue creating valuable content.
- Strengthen Community Bonds: Awards foster a supportive and interactive atmosphere.
Upvotes vs. Awards
- Upvotes: Indicate agreement or support in a general sense.
- Awards: Go a step further by showing genuine appreciation, often requiring a financial investment in gold.
Types of Awards and Their Costs
Reddit offers a variety of awards, from simple recognitions to premium ones with additional perks.
Types of Awards
- Typical Awards: Standard icons to acknowledge good content.
- Premium Awards: Special icons that may provide additional benefits, such as Reddit Premium for the recipient.
Cost of Awards
- Awards are purchased using gold, Reddit’s virtual currency.
- Price Range:
- Common awards: 15–50 gold.
- Gold can be bought in packages:
- Small pack: 500 gold (~$5).
- Large pack: 10,000 gold (~$100).
Are There Any Free Awards?
Reddit occasionally provides free awards to encourage users to engage more actively. These awards are distributed under specific policies or events.
Free Award Allocation (2024 Update)
Free awards were distributed based on coin balances as of July 13, 2023:
| Coin Balance | Number of Free Awards |
|---|---|
| Over 10,000 coins | 30 |
| 1,001 – 10,000 coins | 20 |
| 101 – 1,000 coins | 10 |
| Less than 100 coins | 5 |
Notes:
- Expiration Date: Free awards expire on December 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM PT.
- Non-Transferable: They cannot be converted to gold or money.
- Usability: Free awards can be used on any eligible content within subreddits.
How to Give Reddit Awards?
Giving awards is simple and a great way to enhance community engagement.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Find the Content: Select the post or comment you wish to reward.
- Click the Award Icon, which is located below the post or comment.
- Choose Your Award: From the available options. You can leave a message below each award you give away, which can help you connect with the owner of that post. However, sending a message will be impossible if you choose to give it anonymously.
- Purchase Gold (if needed): If your gold balance is insufficient, you’ll be prompted to buy more.
- Confirm Your Award: Click Give Award to complete the process.
Community Awards
What Are Community Awards?
Community Awards are unique awards created and customized by subreddit moderators. They reflect the culture, characteristics, or even inside jokes of a community.
How They Work
- Eligibility: Only public, non-banned, non-quarantined, and SFW subreddits can implement Community Awards.
- Creation and Management: Only moderators with full permissions can create or edit Community Awards.
Award Categories
Each subreddit can create up to 16 Community Awards, divided as follows:
- 8 awards priced at 500 coins.
- 4 awards priced at 1,000 coins.
- 1 award priced at 2,000 coins.
- 1 award priced at 5,000 coins.
- 1 award priced at 10,000 coins.
- 1 award priced at 40,000 coins.
Mod-Only Awards
Moderators can also create Mod Awards, which are special awards only given by moderators. These awards can include Reddit Premium subscriptions:
- 1,800 coins: 1 month of Reddit Premium.
- 5,400 coins: 3 months.
- 10,800 coins: 6 months.
- 21,600 coins: 12 months.
Community Funds
When users give Community Awards, a portion of the coins goes into a community pot. Moderators can use this pot to fund Mod Awards or run community events and competitions.
Tips for Designing Awards
- Image Requirements: Awards should be square (512×512 pixels) and under 2MB in size.
- Simplicity Matters: Since awards appear small, designs should be clear and easy to recognize.
Conclusion
Reddit awards are more than just a feature—they’re a way to build connections, encourage quality contributions, and show genuine appreciation within the community. Whether you’re giving or receiving awards, they add a unique layer of interaction that makes Reddit a more rewarding platform.
Start exploring Reddit’s award system today to enhance your experience and contribute to the vibrant community spirit!
FAQ
No. Awards can only be given to content that:
- Is posted in eligible subreddits.
- Does not violate Reddit’s policies (e.g., no NSFW, violent, or harmful content).
No. Awards must be given to other users’ content.
LoYes, awards can be given anonymously. Check the Give Anonymously option during the award selection process. However:
- Anonymous awards won’t show your username on leaderboards.
- You cannot include a personal message with anonymous awards.
If a post or comment is deleted or becomes ineligible (e.g., violates policies), the awards remain hidden but are not refunded.
Yes. If you feel an award was misused, you can report it:
- Open the Award Leaderboard.
- Select the award in question.
- Click the Report option from the menu.
Yes, if you’re part of Reddit’s Contributor Program and meet the monetization criteria, you can earn cash from awards and karma received on your content.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varNo, communities cannot opt out of Reddit’s award system. All eligible communities, including those with Community Awards, will have awards available for use unless the subreddit is banned, quarantined, or marked as NSFW.
