Reddit has recently introduced new tools aimed at refining content moderation and enhancing user engagement, reflecting the platform’s ongoing efforts to grow its user base in a competitive market. These tools include features designed to help users comply with community rules, understand content performance, and track discussions in real time. A key feature is the “rules check,” currently being tested on iOS and Android, which alerts users if their posts violate subreddit-specific regulations, allowing them to modify their submissions before they are removed. Additionally, a “post recovery” option enables users to share content in alternative subreddits if the original post is taken down due to rule infringements.

In addition to content moderation tools, Reddit has also launched “Pro Trends” and “AMA Ads” to boost brand engagement. Pro Trends, found in the “Trends” tab of the Reddit Pro dashboard, allows brands to monitor trending discussions in real time using customizable keywords. This feature offers access to over 100,000 pre-programmed keywords, visualizations of conversation volume, lists of communities mentioning the keywords, and a feed of relevant discussions. These tools reflect Reddit’s strategy of providing brands with real-time insights and direct interaction opportunities with users.

However, a hidden user metric called the Contributor Quality Score (CQS) has also been introduced, which is a user classification that identifies potential spammers or users less likely to contribute positively. CQS is based on factors such as past actions, network and location signals, and account security measures like email verification. While Reddit emphasizes that the primary goal of CQS is to identify spammers, the system has received mixed reviews, with some users raising concerns about its potential impact on free speech and the possibility of a “social credit score-esque metric”.

Reddit employs a multi-layered approach to content moderation, combining platform-wide rules with community-specific guidelines and automated tools. With over 60,000 active volunteer moderators, Reddit empowers communities to self-regulate, using tools like AutoModerator to automate moderation tasks. The platform’s content policy outlines enforcement measures, ranging from polite requests to account suspensions and community bans. This approach allows Reddit to manage vast amounts of user-generated content while adapting to the unique needs and cultural norms of different communities.