What is Reddit?
- Reddit is a large online community where users, known as Redditors, share and discuss content on various topics through subreddits.
- Each subreddit functions as a specialized forum focused on particular interests, and users interact with posts by upvoting or downvoting them.
- Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman founded Reddit in 2005, envisioning a space for free content sharing and discussion. Condé Nast acquired Reddit in 2006 for $10 million, helping the platform expand while remaining relatively niche in its early years.
- Reddit filed for an IPO in early 2024, and the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker RDDT in March 2024.
In the age of social media, it seems Tik Tok, Twitter and Instagram reign supreme, with photos, video content and huge celebrity profiles generating the majority of the buzz. But some social platforms are a little more understated. If you find yourself staring at a text-heavy homepage wondering “what is Reddit?”, you’ve come to the right place.
Reddit has captured the internet’s attention so intensely that it launched its IPO earlier this year, pricing shares at $34 and raising a staggering $748 million. This massive vote of confidence signals big things for the social media platform.
This article delivers a comprehensive answer to the question “what is Reddit”, cutting through the jargon to make the “front page of the internet” understandable to everyone.
What is Reddit?
Reddit is a massive online community that invites you to “Dive Into Anything.” With its simple orange-and-white interface, the no-frills platform is dedicated to text posts. You can share opinions or memes on any issue, ask any question and start a discussion with niche communities.
The site includes over a million subreddits, each with threads of comments on specific topics. Redditors interact with these comments by upvoting or downvoting them, determining their visibility. Meanwhile, the site’s front page (which claims to be the Front Page of the Internet) curates the day’s most popular posts.
In short, Reddit is a place to be entertained, share knowledge, find like-minded people, and enjoy discussions on any topic.
When Was Reddit Founded?
The online community known for its vibrant discussions and varied content was founded on June 23, 2005. Two University of Virginia graduates, Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, brought the platform to life. Their vision was a space where users could share and discuss freely.
Huffman and Ohanian wanted to help users decide what content mattered by introducing an upvote and downvote system. The more upvotes your posts get, the more people see them. Their ingenious approach at the time would elevate the most engaging text posts, shaping the platform’s content organically.
Initially, Reddit focused on news aggregation, but its potential was vast. Little did they know, they were laying the groundwork for a digital universe filled with countless communities, each with its unique flavor and passionate members.
What Is Reddit Used For?
People start a Reddit account for countless reasons. Many seek information on current events, research topics, or personal advice. Let’s sample Reddit’s various use cases:
- Information Sharing: People use Reddit to distribute news, research findings, and personal experiences. Whether it’s global breaking news or seeking advice, Redditors turn to Reddit as a reliable resource.
- Therapy: Reddit is as anonymous as you make it, meaning it provides a safe space where users can share their experiences and discuss their inner thoughts. An array of Reddit communities are being used in this way.
- Community Building: Reddit hosts many subreddits dedicated to specific interests. People join these groups to meet others who share their interests, talk about what they love, and provide community support. Beyond popular topics, Reddit caters to countless niche communities.
- Entertainment: Reddit is a hub for entertainment, featuring everything from humorous memes to captivating videos. Users visit the platform to unwind and enjoy a variety of content.
- Learning: Many people use Reddit to learn new things or seek support. From technology tutorials to mental health resources, users can find information within Reddit communities.
- Question and Answer: Redditors frequently ask and answer questions on Reddit. These thoughts cover everything from practical queries to thought-provoking discussions, helping Redditors share their vast knowledge.
- Competition: Reddit keeps track of the scores of all your post, and this can prove quite addictive. Many users enjoy the gamified element of the site, and compete for more upvotes to build their own audience.
Site Statistics and User Demographics
So who exactly is using Reddit? A recent study by Statista revealed that Reddit has around 500 million users. Younger users are the platform’s mainstay, with 65% aged between 18-34. Of those, around 64% are male.
The platform is also Anglophone dominated, with members in US, UK, Canada and Australia creating 70% of the platform’s content.
How Does Reddit Work?
Anyone can join Reddit and member registration is free. Once you’ve created your acccount, you’ll have a username and avatar, which will represent you as you interact. Although you can choose any username you want, the personal discussions on Reddit mean that most members enjoy the anonymous element of the site, and choose a pseudonym.
Reddit users, commonly known as Redditors, create and join groups called subreddits, each focused on specific topics. The relative anonymity on Reddit encourages open discussions.
Other Redditors then vote on this content, with more upvotes pushing the most popular material to the top. Subreddits cover everything imaginable, from pics, funny videos, news and politics to hobbies, gaming, and science.
Let’s now examine two of the platform’s key elements: the front page and Subreddits.
What is Reddit Front Page?
The Reddit homepage showcases a mix of the day’s most popular text posts from various subreddits. It’s like a snapshot of what’s trending on the site.
Reddit uses an algorithm to personalize the front page for each user based on their interests and voting history. You can adjust how you view the site’s front page by selecting options like Best, Hot, New, Top, or Rising, which sort posts according to different criteria.
What Is a Subreddit?
Subreddits lie at the core of the Reddit ecosystem. A subreddit is a distinct community within Reddit focused on a particular topic or interest. It’s like a forum for fans of a specific hobby, TV show, or news category. Redditors subscribe to subreddits to join the conversation to see content related to their interests, and endorse other site members through voting.
How To Create a Subreddit
Anyone can create a subreddit as long as they meet Reddit’s guidelines.
Requirements:
- Your Reddit account must be at least 30 days old.
- You’ll need about 50 positive karma.
Steps:
- Log in to Reddit.
- Go to the Create a Community page on the Reddit homepage or account menu.
- Fill in details:
- Name: This becomes part of your subreddit’s web address, i.e., r/yoursubreddit.
- Select the community type: Your subreddit could be public, restricted, or private.
- Click the Create Community button.
After creating your Reddit account, you can customize its appearance and manage content with the help of moderators.
Watch the video by Dusty Porter on How To Create A Subreddit Tutorial for a step-by-step guide.
What is Reddit Premium?
Reddit Premium is the platform’s subscription model, and can be accessed with a monthly fee or yearly subscription.
It entitles users to ad free browsing and a host of special features, such as exclusive avatar accessories and custom icons.
What is Reddit Gold
You can think of Reddit Gold as the platform’s native currency. You buy it with real money, and you can then use it to give rewards to other users for content you appreciate. Conversely, you might also receive Reddit Gold yourself when other users like your content and want to reward it. So Gold functions like a “tip” for Reddit users.
The features of Reddit Gold have recently changed, so let’s take a closer look at how you can use it.
You can buy Reddit Gold within the platform, with one “Gold credit” costing around $1.99. You can then use your purchased gold to reward posts you like. If you receive gold, you’ll see a “golden upvote” next to your comment or post.
Each golden upvote is worth around 90 cents, which you can then cash out later on. However, you can only do this if you’re part of Reddit’s Contributor Program, and have a minimum of 10 gold credits.
So in effect, Reddit Gold incentivizes users to create high quality content by giving real value as a reward.
5 Most Popular Subreddits
Understanding Reddit’s ecosystem means recognizing the impact of its most popular communities. Here are five of the largest subreddits showcasing how people use Reddit to engage with various interests.
r/funny – 62M members
What is Reddit if not a place to share jokes qand memes? Unsurprisingly, the most popular Subreeddit is r/funny, a virtual comedy repository that hosts memes, funny posts, and hilarious video clips. It’s like a digital comedy club where millions gather to share and enjoy laughter. Anyone seeking light-hearted entertainment and comedic relief will appreciate the subreddit. The diversity in humor and frequent updates make it a central hub for laughter on Reddit.
r/AskReddit – 48M members
r/AskReddit fuels curiosity. It’s where anyone can pose a question and receive many answers. Whether thought-provoking or downright bizarre, this subreddit offers countless learning opportunities. Redditors engage in discussions that often lead to insightful or entertaining exchanges, making it a valuable space for learning and interaction. r/AskReddit is ideal for anyone with questions or answers to give.
r/gaming – 43M members
Gamers unite on r/gaming, a hub for sharing and discussing console games, iconic gaming memes, inside jokes, and personal gaming triumphs. It’s a place to connect with fellow gamers and celebrate the shared love of gaming.
Gamers of all types frequent this subreddit to connect over shared interests, discuss recent game releases and celebrate gaming culture. The community’s active involvement in various gaming subjects attracts gamers of all kinds, making it a popular choice for every gamer.
r/worldnews – 39M members
r/worldnews delivers global news straight to your feed. It curates top news stories from around the world. r/worldnews attracts Redditors who are interested in staying informed about global affairs. The focus on international news helps people see the world beyond domestic headlines.
r/todayilearned – 37M members
Ever discovered something fascinating? Share it on r/todayilearned. This subreddit celebrates the joy of learning by showcasing interesting and specific facts. It’s a constant stream of knowledge and a reminder that there’s always something new to discover.
r/todayilearned is the place to be if you enjoy learning fun facts and trivia. It provides a space for educational enrichment and curiosity-driven discussions.
Reddit Company History and IPO
Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman launched Reddit in 2005. The duo envisioned a platform where people shared links, sparking conversations. The name, a playful take on read it, reflected the site’s purpose as a content hub.
Condé Nast Publications acquired Reddit in 2006 for $10 million. This investment accelerated the platform’s growth. While it built up a dedicated following, Reddit remained relatively under the radar.
By 2012, Reddit transformed into a community-driven powerhouse. Millions flocked to the site, creating subreddits centered around diverse interests. Users curated content through upvotes and downvotes, ensuring the best material rose to prominence.
As highlighted by Backlinko, the platform has become a go-to source for news, viral trends, and in-depth discussions with millions of daily users.
In a historic move, Reddit filed for an IPO in 2024. The company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in March 2024, trading under the RDDT ticker. The stock had an impressive first day of trading, reaching a high of 50% over its initial public offering price. Notably, Reddit reserved shares for longtime users and moderators, granting the community ownership in the company.
Closing Thoughts
Reddit offers a vibrant platform for learning and connecting with people who share your passions.
Whether you indulge a peculiar hobby, champion a unique interest or are simply jousting for more upvotes than whoever you’re debating, Reddit is the place to join a community or even build your own. With the recent IPO, Reddit promises to grow and enhance this incredible space for shared experiences. While using your Reddit account, remember to protect yourself against scams, especially those using social engineering.
