Reddit is hard to explain. At its most basic, it’s a website like any other. There are users and those users submit and generate content. It would seem any other social networking site like Facebook or Twitter would fill this same need, with micro-blogging clones like Twitter providing a constant stream of news unmatched in providing breaking news and events from around the world. That’s where the differences start to become clearer. While Twitter and the like may give you something quickly, it’s not necessarily trusted content. It functions the same as a strong gust of wind, easily capable of carrying a seed to a safe place it can grow, or whipping a plastic bag from the gutter right into your face. The latter situation seems the most plausible an encounter one can endure in an increasingly modern world, leaving the wonders and beauty of nature to be reminisced about as though it never really happens anymore. I, for one, know I’m among a very small group of people who can even remember planting a tree recently. Continuing on with the “tree/seed” metaphor for an idea, Reddit distinguishes itself from a never-ending swarm of sites claiming to give you the latest and greatest by using a system that works through fostering a sense of community where the best ideas are given the space and the freedom to flourish into something magical.
While I’ve drank the Kool-Aid on this one (true), the times I find myself discussing Reddit with non-Redditors make me feel like I’m pitching a product rather than advocating a community of which I’m a member. I’ve become more careful in how I go about this now. When you find something cool on the Internet, you want more people to be a part of it. That basic premise and the rabid following that it has developed is what Reddit runs on. Reddit even gets meta on itself (with plenty of self-deprecation and a good sense of humor) when discussions on the site become discussions about the site itself (even having a meta distinction categorizing the smaller communities that make up Reddit called subreddits). To further the twists and turns and help someone who has plunged down the rabbit hole, the site’s blog offers up statistics, the state of affairs on the site and a plethora of useful information to those who come across it.
Now that you know about Reddit, what to do? Registration is quick and simple, provide your e-mail and register a username. Then you’re set to customize your experience. Right from the start, you’ll be “subscribed” to a few subreddits including pics, funny and atheism (one of the largest communities on Reddit). If you don’t like a particular community for any reason or just don’t care for the content offered, simply unsubscribe by clicking in the same area on the right you’d click to subscribe. Bear in mind, all communities are welcoming, particularly to those who are not a part of the cause or don’t believe in the subject at hand. Skepticism is vigorously encouraged, but hypocrisy is unforgivable to the community at large. Like anything else, be honest and forthcoming and enjoy the general “warm-fuzzies” that come from it. There are subreddits for every perceivable topic. Almost every major city, college, hobby, philosophy, religion and forum is covered. On the off chance it isn’t, simply make it! Reddit is as customizable as content can get.
What makes Reddit even more special is the ability to see the potential for change in the world and reward those who find the best ways to bring about that change. Numerous posts on helping find bone marrow donors, chemotherapy support, even a suicide watch subreddit bring people together in ways both inspiring and heart breaking. What Reddit does is simply show that you’re not the only one out there. For matters happy and sad, difficult or just plain adorable, there’s always someone willing to lend a hand or simply talk with. At the start of the millennium, once hype about the ever impending Y2K apocalypse died down, it seemed the next logical issue to tackle was the growing sense that too much time spent online made someone “antisocial.” Reddit has led the charge against this feeling of despair and discord that seems to haunt the Internet with each and every vitriolic post on some extremist website or child who is bullied on social media websites. It provides a safe environment for anyone to explore their options and share their stories of success and failure. While an extremely lighthearted site, there are times where Reddit comes together to fight injustices and bring help to those who need it.
Some instances have marred this helping hand, with occasional protests and actions taking on a mob mentality with some users a little too eager to sharpen their pitchforks. Sometimes it’s justified, other times have seen innocent people dismissed and trampled underfoot. With the site’s moderators stepping up their “patrols,” this type of behavior is becoming less and less common, in keeping with the site’s true core of upholding honesty and integrity in all posts and comments without sacrificing free speech.
While Reddit is constantly evolving and growing, with an astonishing 2,065,237,338 page views and 34,879,881 unique visitors in December 2011 alone, their main message of a free Internet and free speech above all else has never been stronger. Joining the Internet blackout against SOPA, Reddit’s blackout was as important a statement as those of Internet juggernauts Wikipedia and Google. With floods of calls, emails and faxes sent to representatives and government officials of all factions, Redditors made their voices heard loud and clear. Sure it’s a website where one can blow off some steam and look at pictures of someone’s cat chasing a laser pointer; it’s also a place of deep discussion and an even deeper search for knowledge in every aspect of life. Without sounding too preachy or declaring anything too bold, it’s becoming more and more evident that Reddit is the clearest case of a democracy in action since the founding of the United States. It’s a new frontier, a new forum birthed from necessity, but kept fresh by those who care most: its users.
4 Comments
How to correctly use Reddit for internet marketing is something I’ve often pondered. Because the user comments appear so personal at times, it almost seems the topic relevancy sometimes turns into just a big nag session. Do you have any advice on how to select the best quality subreddits to subscribe to? Hope you can help, still interested in this avenue. Cheers.
That’s a great question. Anything on the Internet that is held up to a high level of scrutiny is going to sound like a nag fest (depending on the subject). Subreddits like AskScience have qualified individuals and moderators who will delete even the slightest hint of unverified speculation. That’s the thing to keep in mind with Reddit, speak openly and be prepared for criticism. For the most part, when it comes to “Internet marketing,” I’d use it primarily for actual products, not services. There is an SEO subreddit, which is fairly good. As for best subreddits, it depends on your interests. I’d suggest picking a topic and simply writing it after the base URL (i.e. http://www.reddit.com/r/INSERT TOPIC HERE]). If it is a noun, odds are there’s already a subreddit for it. It’s as customizable as you want it.
I’ve been using reddit for years now but I hardly get a traffic from it. Not like Stumbleupon that most of my traffic are coming from it. Is there any technique to use reddit to increase traffic other than just leaving a links in there?
It’s an interesting thing. Given that “redditiquette” (Reddit etiquette) has been cast aside in recent months, up/down votes should be considered similar to likes or dislikes. That being said, simply throwing up a link isn’t enough. Developing your presence on the site is the first step, particularly in the specific subreddit you’re trying to post in. If they see you’ve only been on for a short time and your link seems spammy, you’ll suffer greatly (though you’re experienced enough to know when the narwhals bacon and the like). The same can happen for good content. The key point I’m trying to get across is how important continued engagement is. Reddit functions like the rest of the Internet, so becoming a part of the community and helping it thrive will allow you to reap the rewards when you share something you honestly believe you should be sharing. Wit and humor go far and make sure your link is original and hasn’t already been posted (mark it as an x-post if it’s from another subreddit). Hope that helps! Feel free to share the link with your fellow Redditors!