Why is getting karma so impossible?

https://www.reddit.com/r/NewToReddit/comments/1ig3qxp/why_is_getting_karma_so_impossible/

created by Optimal-Vermicelli23 on 02/02/2025 at 18:23 UTC

71 upvotes, 22 top-level comments (showing 22)

I’ve been on Reddit for a little while now, and it feels like getting karma is almost impossible. I try to engage with posts, leave thoughtful comments, and even post in some subreddits, but it feels like no matter what I do, I can’t seem to get any traction. I understand that the Reddit community values quality content, but it’s so frustrating when you post something you think is decent and it just gets buried with no upvotes. I’ve seen people post low-effort content that gets way more attention, and it’s hard not to feel discouraged. I’ve also been trying to get karma by posting in places that require it, but I still can’t seem to break through. Is it just a matter of time, or am I missing something about how karma really works here?

Comments

Comment by AutoModerator at 02/02/2025 at 18:23 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Welcome to r/NewToReddit, /u/Optimal-Vermicelli23! Thanks for posting. **Your post has been flaired 'Needs attention' so we can easily identify which posts require answers.** Someone will be along to help you shortly.

If you're new, check out our "General Guide to Reddit and Karma" Wiki page version[1] or Mobile friendly post version[2], it explains how to get started on Reddit; including information on karma, navigation, and more. You might also like to check out our wiki index[3] and FAQ[4].

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2: https://www.reddit.com/r/NewToReddit/comments/p8t966/reddit_and_karma_explained/

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Comment by Serious-Let5581 at 02/02/2025 at 18:28 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

You'll get better at it. Took me a bit to figure it out. Now if I put in the time and a little effort I can get 50-100 A day sometimes

Comment by bookish-catlady at 02/02/2025 at 18:31 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

It could be because a few of your comments have been asking for karma and Reddit doesn't like karma farming.

If you have any hobbies or interests it might be worth looking for sub Reddits connected to those that you can interact with?

Comment by mikey_weasel at 02/02/2025 at 19:02 UTC

1 upvotes, 2 direct replies

As other shave noted it looks like you've been commenting on Reddit *for about an hour* with a handful of comments. That you've not had a bunch of success is very unsurprising. Again I'm going to echo that you need to "chill" and not get so fired up so quickly.

It looks like you've found some spaces to comment that are new user friendly which is a good start

You may want to try commenting in those subreddit some more, or other new user friendly subreddits. You might also try changing your view to "new" so your comments are more visible. I have more advice below

• *Building Karma on reddit** You are relying on other human users so it can take some experimentation to find what works for you. it really helps to find some intersection of your interests and subreddits that are new user friendly so the process is enjoyable. The below is aimed at new users with no karma.

• *What is Karma?**. Karma comes from upvotes. It's not a 1:1 ratio, but basically if you get upvotes you'll get a little karma. It also decreases with downvotes at the same rate. Your posts and comments all start with one upvote (your own) which unfortunately*does not count* towards karma.

• *New User Friendly Subreddits**. A great place to start is to look at r/newtoreddit's list of new user friendly subreddits[1]. This is not in any way an exhaustive list, and it is worth reading the details spelled out in that list.

1: https://reddit.com/r/NewToReddit/w/index/newusersubs?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

• *Large Subreddits**. In particular as you look through that list above you'll see some of the large general interest subreddits that are at least open to new users *commenting*. Places like r/askreddit, r/casualconversation, r/nostupidquestions, or similar. Look for posts that match your interests or knowledge to answer to and add comments. There is a large audience there you can engage with. It helps to change your view to new...

• *View by new** On mobile when viewing a subreddit look near the top left for where it says "hot posts". Click that and select "new". This will filter the posts so first see the most recent posts first. This can make your comments much more visible.

• *More specific Subreddits**. You can also keep on looking for subreddits that more specifically match your interests and contributing there. You might find r/findareddit a useful tool, especially their subreddit directory[2]. You may have to try a number of subreddits as they may or may not have karma restrictions. Especially in those cases make sure you "read the room".

2: https://reddit.com/r/findareddit/w/directory?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

• *Read the Room** each subreddit has different rules, norms and prevailing views. Read top posts and comments and have a glance at subreddit rules. Get an idea of the vibe and norms and prevailing views. Also have a look at formatting and structure, like do users reward sarcastic one-liners or well sourced essays?

• *Avoid conflict and controversy**. When trying to build Karma avoid controversial topics or arguments. These discussions are more likely to attract downvotes and potentially trip into rule-breaking. Call people idiots *in your head*, downvote and move on instead of commenting yourself.

• *More info** There is a TON of info in the subreddit resources linked in the automoderator comment (also find at this post[3]). For learning more about the mechanics of Reddit r/learntoreddit is good to practice, and has their own exhaustive guide[4]. And its useful to have a read of Reddiquette[5].

3: https://www.reddit.com/r/NewToReddit/s/km5FMQOlpr

4: https://reddit.com/r/LearnToReddit/w/index?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

5: https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439-Reddiquette

• *Too Much Info?** I realize these comments have a lot of info. You can always try out some of this and return at a later date to review via your profile.

This subreddit only allows one post per 72 hours so always happy to answer any followup questions you have if you reply here!

Comment by Mission-Raccoon979 at 02/02/2025 at 18:32 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Well, you’ve been trying for less than an hour. Building karma takes time. People have to read your posts. My advice is to chill.

Comment by LucyXxcc at 02/02/2025 at 18:46 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I usually post things that other people would feel a bit intimidated to post, but it’s not like a strategy or something, it’s just that my opinions tend to be a bit controversial in their nature sometimes.

Comment by Formal-Singer4584 at 02/02/2025 at 18:32 UTC

1 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I'm in the same boat. Can't get enough karma to post on any subreddit at all lol.

Comment by mguti179 at 02/02/2025 at 19:01 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I'm a complete noob, I thought you get 1 Karma per 1 upvote, anywhere on the website? Is it more complex? If so, I also need to learn! I think I have 1 right now lol. I'm trying to get help with something but I need 2 Karma to post lol which probably sounds crazy to some people haha

Comment by merleskies at 02/02/2025 at 19:02 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I made one comment in one forum, giving advice to someone, and apparently I was wrong and was downvoted to -25 karma. SHEESH.

Comment by Tultil at 02/02/2025 at 19:06 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Why are you so worried about Karma? That’s just the result. Just focus on the journey the result will automatically happen.

Don’t put comments having ‘karma’ in mind, put comments based on the subject and how you can help the OPs. Karma is just the end result. It happens it happens, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

Comment by SolariaHues at 02/02/2025 at 20:43 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

There is no guarantee as you are reliant on other's votes. All you can do is share good content where you can and hope others value it enough to upvote.

It's possible to earn lots of karma from one insightful comment in the right place at the right time. For the most part it takes a bit of time, though.

There are many factors that affect how well your content does.

First, make sure your content is showing in the communities you are posting to and not automatically removed. You can do this by sorting post or comments by 'new' after you shared to see if it is listed, or try to view your content in the community while logged out.

Some of the factors that affect how well content does are:

• What your content is
• Is it well presented, formatted, with a descriptive title. Images can grab attention.
• Where you post it / Subreddit size, activity, and culture
• How much content you're competing with at the time
• And timing / who is online to see it
• Does the sub see the same content a lot
• Etc, etc

You gain karma from engaging on Reddit; when your posts and comments are upvoted. It's a case of finding communities you can participate in, and that you have an interest or knowledge base in, and start by commenting to share your knowledge and experience, and add to discussions. As people upvote your comments, this will build your karma genuinely.

Some, but **not all subs have restrictions** and they're there to prevent spammers and other bad faith users. It does impact new and low karma users too though and initially it may be hard to find communities you can participate in and have genuine interest in, but once you've found a few it'll get easier.

Here is our list of new-user friendly subs you can try

You don't need to engage where you have no interest. There are so many subs (hundreds of thousands and many without high restrictions) there are bound to be some where you do have an interest and can engage.

r/findareddit can suggest some subs around your interests, you can try and see if you can participate, it may take a little trial and error. Look for smaller niche subs, as they may be less likely to have high restrictions.

Sort content by 'new' so you're interacting with fresh content.

We also have a chat post every week you can join in! You can earn some karma by having fun genuine conversations with others.

I made a new account to see what the experience was like. I limited myself to comments only, and managed 100+ karma in a few days of casual use. What I did was:

• Made use of our weekly chat thread
• Used our new user friendly list * answering questions on rising posts on askreddit, giving thoughtful or amusing replies * sharing my thoughts on communities that I had genuine interest in
• I found a few more subs around my interests where I could comment via trial and error

Comment by Nz-Sponge at 02/02/2025 at 18:55 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Getting karma is so insanely easy it’s actually insane

Comment by TheCosmicDetective at 02/02/2025 at 18:49 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I usually have a hard time getting traction on sites. But for some reason, I must have picked the best time to pop onto reddit. It's day 2, and I'm over 50 karma points and growing.

Escaping the newbie dungeon isn’t as hard as it looks! I've just been commenting consistently and made a successfully compelling post 😉

I heard the trick is commenting early on hot posts in r/AskReddit, r/MadeMeSmile, and r/TIL where upvotes flow like free samples. Dropping relatable takes in r/LifeProTips, r/unpopularopinion, or r/NoStupidQuestions gets people talking, and jumping into fandoms like r/movies, r/todayilearned, or r/oddlyterrifying keeps things fun.

Apparently, replying to every comment is the trick to keep the karma train rolling. Just show up and have fun. Allegedly.

Don't give up. You'll get there.

Comment by [deleted] at 02/02/2025 at 18:55 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

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Comment by mattc323 at 02/02/2025 at 19:09 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

"**read the room**" is probably the most important piece of advice I got. The exact same comment in different subredidts can get vastly different responses

Comment by [deleted] at 02/02/2025 at 19:09 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

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Comment by MelissaGary965 at 02/02/2025 at 19:46 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Same here lol my karma is so low that I can’t post in some communities

Comment by Opposite-Question-32 at 02/02/2025 at 19:47 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

It's the posts that you don't expect to be popular, blow up. Just think of something original or outside the norm.

Comment by Muskratisdikrider at 02/02/2025 at 18:48 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

You need more hot takes people agree with, but be prepared for the downvotes as well. People like to get emotional over social media when they shouldn't

Comment by [deleted] at 02/02/2025 at 18:48 UTC

1 upvotes, 1 direct replies

[removed]

Comment by Davideye at 02/02/2025 at 19:10 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I just scroll and don’t bother commenting even if I have valuable contributions solely because getting karma is a PITA.

Comment by thedamnbandito at 02/02/2025 at 19:23 UTC

1 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Take it from me, I shitpost in random subs until I get warnings. Then I realize I don’t want to get banned and chill out in real life and on the internet, then I casually push the edge again until I’m right back to where I used to be. I’m a damn bandito.