When you think of Reddit, you might picture a website full of memes and funny videos.

But there’s a lot more to Reddit than meets the eye.

And behind the scenes of every subreddit, there are moderators.

Reddit app on phone photo

So what’s it actually like to be a Reddit moderator?

What Being a Reddit Moderator Is Actually Like

Well, I’m glad you asked.

For starters, the job is a lot of work and can often be frustrating.

photo of subreddit barista

In short, being a Reddit moderator is a lot like herding cats.

But it’s also one of the most unique and interesting jobs you might have.

Here is what I’ve learned as a Reddit moderator…

1.

reddit mod reports

And trust me, it’s not as easy as it looks.

There are a lot of moving parts tomoderating a subreddit.

That feeling is what keeps me coming back every day.

young child crying

But it’s not always easy getting there.

Trolls, spammers, and scams are all too common on Reddit.

And while there are tools in place to help deal with them, they’re often not enough.

Reddit user question

That means learning how to respond quickly and effectively, no matter what situation you’re faced with.

It’s your job to figure out if there is actually a problem or if they’re just overreacting.

And some of those can lead to heated debates among your fellow moderators.

Reddit banned users

For example, how strict should we be with the rules?

Should we allow certain topics or types of content in our community?

Should we ban certain users?

cappuccino with heart

These are tough questions to answer, and there is no right or wrong way to do it.

And that means learning how to stay cool under pressure and handling any criticism that comes your way.

In the subreddit, people ask for advice on how to improve their coffee skills.

But sometimes, they don’t like the answer they get.

It often also means learning on the job and figuring things out as you go along.

And that can be a lot to handle, especially at first.

And the same goes for managing a community.

you oughta experiment and find what works best for you.

And dealing with them can be one of the hardest parts of being a Reddit moderator.

Those who are determined to create trouble will find a way, no matter what steps you take.

With plenty ofAutoModerator scripts, I can take care of most of the trolling and spamming.

But sometimes, innocent users get caught in the crossfire.

And that’s perfectly okay.

In fact, it’s essential.

Because if you burn out, you won’t be able to do your job properly.

And that’s not good for you or your community.

Your community will understandand they’ll be there when you’re ready to come back.

It’s about creating a safe and welcoming space for users to share their thoughts and experiences.

It’s about giving them a voice and a platform to be heard.

And it’s about making sure that everyone feels like they belong.

It’s also about building relationships and managing the community as a whole.

And that means learning how to communicate effectively, make decisions collaboratively, and keep the conversation flowing.