To ask, do you use Reddit? And do you find it slightly tricky to navigate?

[JMSA]

I’m very new to Reddit. I’ve posted once so far and received a very helpful reply. I like that you can post on any topic under the sun or ask a question about anything.
When I posted, I found it difficult to know which group (subreddit?) to post in. I had to come out of the app, google my topic area and see where best to put it.
So although I really like Reddit, I don’t find it particularly intuitive so far. Also, do you need to join specific groups to be able to post in them? And what is the voting system about? Is it to highlight popular posts?
It honestly could very well just be me, as I’m not a techy person. If anyone has any tips for me, that would be appreciated. It’ll probably be easier in time when I have more of a feel for the place.

Eughhhh I hate everything about the layout and design of the Reddit website. Totally with you.

You will get use to it Reddit is a good forum

I agree and when I posted I got zero replies. Don’t like the format at all.

I’ve mostly found it an over complicated cesspit with ridiculously uptight mods and needlessly strict posting rules, but that could differ subreddit to subreddit I suppose. I know DH has found some of the parenting subs for Dads useful.

Same OP. I find links from Google into Reddit on specific topics helpful - very likely to have detailed and interesting replies - but actually navigating or scrolling Reddit myself, not much luck.

I actually prefer Reddit to MN, but maybe that’s because I was using Reddit for years before MN! Also I only ever use the app, have no idea what the website is like.

My biggest dislike about Reddit is that it’s American so a lot of responses lean towards US language, culture, etiquette etc. which isn’t helpful if you’re asking a question specific to British social norms.

It’s good once you find a few sub forums to follow. I hardly ever post a new topic. The rules are so strict. I’ve had posts removed before because I haven’t given enough info or typed enough words etc. I don’t bother anymore

Same.

Thanks everyone! Seems to be a mixed bag but I’ll bear with it 🙂

Its a great platform for detailed, knowledgeable advice. No echo chambers, unlike MN.

I can only recommend installing the RES extension and running Reddit in 'old' mode. It's so much better on desktop.

I really like Reddit. It does take some time to ‘get’ but I like the variety and breadth of topics and advice you get on there. I’ve spent far too many hours on the Unsolved Mysteries subreddit!

I like Reddit because you can reply directly to a comment. You don't have to be a member to comment on a subreddit but you often have to have a certain amount of karma.

I agree with using Old Reddit.

Does anyone know if it’s possible to bookmark your place in Reddit?

I absolutely hate it. Never go in the app and just read comments on the website if it comes up in a search result.

It's such a mess of a site and in some areas you have to have so many upvotes before you can comment etc. I don't ever want to spend so much time on it to bother with all that! Who could be arsed learning separate rules for separate areas? It's the most inaccessible website/app for a casual user I've ever come across.

I love Reddit. Great for hobby stuff, and any type of illness with its own subreddit. Or basically anything you can think of has its own subreddit. I’ve always found everyone on there so supportive. For example I can post a photo of any issue with my houseplant in the houseplant group and get loads of helpful advice. I think the city subreddits can be a bit of a mixed bag. As far as I know you don’t need to join a group to post in it, as I’m sure I’ve posted questions in crouch’s I’m not in, but things from that group might be suggested for you in your feed.

I just follow two or three subreddits and quite like it.

I agree, some areas of reddit are good for detailed, knowledgeable advice but no echo chambers? 😂 You've got to be kidding.

Oh I don't know, there is this sub - completely rabid over Meghans treatment by the royal family. I have no strong feelings either way on the Kate -v- Meghan issue

https://www.reddit.com/r/RoyaltyTea/

I like it and use it a fair bit. It did take me a while to get used to though. I mainly visit the subreddits that relate to my hobbies.

It’s a fantastic site so I’d say it’s well worth getting to know your way around.

You don’t need to join a sub to post. But each sub has its rules eg some don’t allow politics, some are very specific and won’t allow posts that deviate from that. Bit like you won’t find posts about your step child in the fish section here. People in the fish section might be very helpful and give good advice, but your step child query is better in relationships, or the specific step child section (if there is one).

Up and down votes - so the ‘good’ posts rise to the top. They might be knowledgeable, funny, whatever reason people like that post, if they upvote it then it’ll rise to the top. And rude/wrong etc answers will be downvoted and they’ll sink to the bottom. (Oh how I WISH I could downvote some rude posters on here.)

Are you accessing it on mobile (eg with phone/ipad) or using the desktop site? I use mobile so I can help if you have specific questions about that.

Someone here said there were a lot of US answers too - there are a lot of specifically British subs so have a look at those too.

And there’s a sub for everything. And if there isn’t - you can make one!

I found it a bit confusing at first, can't remember why. I like it, US bias is a bit annoying sometimes.

If you sort the threads by 'New' it makes them easier to follow.

I just follow a few subreddits. Whether you can post/comment without joining depends on the particular sub I think. I find it the best place for niche interest groups but it's terribly misogynistic and I don't dare stray too far from the subs I'm familiar with. You get used to the terrible design after a while. The upvoting/downvoting business is tedious and best ignored.

Yes, it's not easy to find the right subreddit. I guess it's just too big. I often find threads through Google, not the site itself. And once you realise you like certain subs you can follow/curate your view.

You don't have to join a sub to post, but some individual ones will have rules. e.g. account over a week old to post, account with x amount of karma on a sensitive topic. I see that last one on UKPersonalFinance a lot. It's a good sub for taking control of your money BTW. Slanted well off but they also help out those with less cash. Big enough that you get read.

Moderation varies a lot by sub in terms of specific rules. Most are quite heavy handed as I assume otherwise they are deluged with spam and low effort posts. On the whole it tends to lean left and there are definitely issues with subs making themselves into echo chambers worse than they would actually be if discussion were allowed. Some will just delete any dissent just for having wrong opinions, even if polite, constructive etc. There are issues around blocking too, where blocking another user can lock them out of a whole thread.

Upvotes: this is meant to be about does the post contribute meaningfully to the discussion. But in practice it is often used to mean I disagree with the post.