What makes a good mod?
https://www.reddit.com/r/modguide/comments/e1ijuq/what_makes_a_good_mod/
created by SolariaHues on 25/11/2019 at 16:38 UTC*
22 upvotes, 7 top-level comments (showing 7)
I’m sure we all have varied ideas of what the ideal mod is, and there’s no perfect answer, but here is some food for thought.
These are **comments from one of my anonymous surveys**, I have edited the comments into a list and removed repeats.
(Note - this is from a small group of users who replied to my survey on mod help subreddits and samplesize, it was not a requirement to be a mod to answer, but the vast majority of respondents were mods)
The results so far:
- Is active on the sub
- Knows the rules and is ready to discuss and explain them when necessary
- Doesn't necessarily rule with an iron fist but can be firm when needed
- Is fair and calm
- Has the same rules for all/Is consistent and transparent enforcing of rules
- Is willing to learn
- Puts the needs of the community before their desires
- Puts personal opinions aside and go by the facts of the situation
- Is a decent human being
- Has clear rules
- Good communication with mods
- Good communication with users
- Able to work with others
- Responsible/ "with great power comes great responsibility"
- Helpful
- Posts relevant content
- Considers ban reversal appeals
- Is someone who is open to the community
- Practices “servant leadership”
- Does mod tasks
- Doesn't consider themselves any different from a user of that subreddit
- Has a passion for it
- Tries to communicate with a user first before banning
- Answers their messages within 24 hours unless they are away from home
- Make sure all the information is in the sidebars of both the old and the new designs
- Is a logical person
- Is patient
- Is kind
- Owns up when wrong
- Is diligent
- Obeys all the subs rules and general Reddit guidelines
- Keeps the sub clean of spam
- Answers questions
- Is respectful
- Hears both sides before decision making (unless they did something clearly wrong)
- Is nice
- Not overly strict
- Encourages conversation
- Helps members with any issues that arise
- Finds new ways to help grow the sub
- Depending on the topic the subreddit covers, tutorials and helpful guides put together by the mods makes them amazing.
- Regularly reviews activity
- Gently guides individuals that fail to act according to standards
- Listens
- Tries to understand different views
- Is a power mod/hardly puts anything in
- Abuses their power/privileges
- Uses banning as a prevention method
- Has favorites
- Uses the position to abuse other people
- Has a God complex and believes that their views and opinions have a place in their mod actions
- Ban for no reason
- Very emotional
- Has unclear rules
- Inconsistent rule enforcement
- No/poor communication
- Not active
- Is overbearing and just throws out all sorts of attacks and bans etc for minor infractions
- Doesn’t listen
- Is inactive/absent
- Is corrupt
- Has poor judgement
- Doesn't care for the community
- No communication with the community
- Never answers their messages
- Bans without communicating first
- Neglects either the old or the new design
- Is unhelpful
- Is rude
- Is toxic
- Is racist
- Too strict
- Sees (all/most) users as a burden
- Is not open to good faith criticism about the subreddit or its moderation team
- Doesn't care about how people experience having mod action taken on their post/comment
- Is biased
- Tries to profit from modding
You can see our surveys here
Comments
Comment by [deleted] at 25/11/2019 at 22:04 UTC
5 upvotes, 3 direct replies
[removed]
Comment by YonderingWolf at 29/11/2021 at 16:23 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
There are many moderators who would benefit from this thread. One of the first rules I learned when I was selected and found my way into the voluntary classes, is that whenever you don the moderator's mantle you have no friends or family. You're to supposed to be neutral. However over the years, I've run into or had to deal with some who should have never been a moderator, for one reason or another.
Comment by cyrilio at 03/04/2020 at 11:39 UTC
2 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Some of the survey links here[1] don't work anymore.
1: https://www.reddit.com/r/modguide/wiki/index/surveys
Comment by KindheartednessOk920 at 18/01/2022 at 15:54 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
feel like amma need to earn my mod degree
Comment by [deleted] at 26/11/2019 at 21:12 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Amazing guide! I have a question though, you said:
A good mod... has clear rules
What do you mean by this?
Comment by BakedFish69---SK at 20/01/2020 at 23:15 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Is this what makes a good pope or reddit mod?
Comment by Kitchen-Cherry7166 at 14/06/2024 at 11:09 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I'm a mod and I'm a 14 year old girl so I just came here to see what a job of a mod is.