61 votes

Reddit is going to let you turn gold into money

45 comments

  1. [6]
    Jordan117
    Link
    Less than two weeks ago, they summarily deprecated their entire reward system. Any "coins" earned through quality posts -- even ones bought through subscribing -- were erased with no replacement,...

    Less than two weeks ago, they summarily deprecated their entire reward system. Any "coins" earned through quality posts -- even ones bought through subscribing -- were erased with no replacement, and previously-awarded content had all record of it wiped. Now they're asking everybody they just screwed over to pretty please sign up for this new scheme where they contribute quality content for peanuts, right after very publicly demonstrating how little they value those contributions. Another brilliant PR move by Reddit, Inc.

    87 votes
    1. [3]
      Grumble4681
      Link Parent
      I'm sure all the people who have access to a database of historical upvoted submissions and comments love it, since they just re-post it and reap the gold rewards. Ironic that those people used to...

      I'm sure all the people who have access to a database of historical upvoted submissions and comments love it, since they just re-post it and reap the gold rewards. Ironic that those people used to get called out for karma farming, but now they're just able to cut out all the grey market stuff that high karma accounts may have gotten them and just go to gold farming which can be officially turned into cash payments.

      46 votes
      1. [2]
        hobbes64
        Link Parent
        Wow that is going to happen for sure. In the last few months before I (mostly) stopped using reddit, there was a huge increase in bots that copy comments from one part of a thread to another. A...

        Wow that is going to happen for sure.

        In the last few months before I (mostly) stopped using reddit, there was a huge increase in bots that copy comments from one part of a thread to another. A lazy karma farming that just about ruins the site.

        27 votes
        1. OBLIVIATER
          Link Parent
          Reddit has already been swamped with repost bots for nearly a decade now, each year it gets a little worse. OFC with LLMs becoming popular and accessible its only gotten harder to fight them as...

          Reddit has already been swamped with repost bots for nearly a decade now, each year it gets a little worse. OFC with LLMs becoming popular and accessible its only gotten harder to fight them as mods. A lot of us have just given up and stopped using reddit, mostly due to the drama that happened a few months ago

          28 votes
    2. tanglisha
      Link Parent
      The are so many outs in the rules that let Reddit keep all the money. On top of that, there's nothing stopping them from swooping in later and keeping all that gold. They could do it several...

      The are so many outs in the rules that let Reddit keep all the money. On top of that, there's nothing stopping them from swooping in later and keeping all that gold. They could do it several times.

      Oops, unidan2 made 5 million gold. Time to mark that account as not "in good standing".

      15 votes
    3. raze2012
      Link Parent
      If there was even a 0.1% chance that the most rewarded content was actually "quality", I'd say it's all worth it. But we know what is most rewarded will be the reposts, the fastest to post big...

      Now they're asking everybody they just screwed over to pretty please sign up for this new scheme where they contribute quality content for peanuts

      If there was even a 0.1% chance that the most rewarded content was actually "quality", I'd say it's all worth it.

      But we know what is most rewarded will be the reposts, the fastest to post big news to big subreddit, and sexual art that may or may not employ AI or editing "enhancements". Oh, and the memes. We can never forget the memes.

      6 votes
  2. [11]
    Promonk
    Link
    I really appreciate how great a job Spez &co have done in making me not regret leaving that shitshow.

    I really appreciate how great a job Spez &co have done in making me not regret leaving that shitshow.

    73 votes
    1. [2]
      UOUPv2
      Link Parent
      I'm still technically on there, and was definitely in camp "eh, at least there's desktop". But holy damn, in the rare times that I do browse on desktop I'm on page 20 in like 5 minutes. And while...

      I'm still technically on there, and was definitely in camp "eh, at least there's desktop". But holy damn, in the rare times that I do browse on desktop I'm on page 20 in like 5 minutes. And while that sounds like I'm happily vacuuming up content it's actually because I'm just scrolling past a torrent of shit until my finger gets tired.

      25 votes
      1. mount2010
        Link Parent
        It really feels like there's a shortage of content on there now. I'm subscribed to a great variety of subreddits but there's barely any interesting content on there. What a shame that one of the...

        It really feels like there's a shortage of content on there now. I'm subscribed to a great variety of subreddits but there's barely any interesting content on there. What a shame that one of the best websites to actually hear from other human beings (as opposed to just celebrities and famous people) has turned into this.

        14 votes
    2. [3]
      bengine
      Link Parent
      Every once in a while muscle memory kicks in when I open a new browser window and go to reddit without thinking, muscle memory after 13 or whatever years is hard to break. However since I'm not...

      Every once in a while muscle memory kicks in when I open a new browser window and go to reddit without thinking, muscle memory after 13 or whatever years is hard to break. However since I'm not logged in the shockingly low quality of the front page is a good reminder that I'm not missing anything.

      19 votes
      1. DundonianStalin
        Link Parent
        I feel this, when I deleted my account I still kept the bookmark for a while before I had to delete it because I'd robotically just click it along with my emails first thing. Now I have to...

        I feel this, when I deleted my account I still kept the bookmark for a while before I had to delete it because I'd robotically just click it along with my emails first thing. Now I have to actually type in the address I basically never go there without purpose.

        5 votes
      2. bhrgunatha
        Link Parent
        I deleted my primary 17-year account replacing all the content I've ever provided with boiler plate text explaining why and deleting all submissions - the links remain but attributed to [deleted]....

        I deleted my primary 17-year account replacing all the content I've ever provided with boiler plate text explaining why and deleting all submissions - the links remain but attributed to [deleted]. None of the tools I tried were very successful and they put server side barriers in place, so it was a good exercise in ViolentMonkey scripting.

        I was torn between deleting it all as most people do (leaving nothing for advertisers to target) or my explanation repeated over many threads.

        I deleted all other accounts/content except one (opting out of the new layout) and no subscriptions. I won't ever comment or post there again but there are places I still want to consult and I'll inevitably follow links from other sites. Reddit Enhancement Suite has been an indispensable tools for ages so it remains bearable in comparison to the execrable new layout experience.

        My use has dropped to almost 0%.

        5 votes
    3. [5]
      doogle
      Link Parent
      I still use it, but just to spam a block of text containing every foul word I know. Threw a few brands in as well. "Fuck shit Disney ass cunt anal Microsoft incest cum" etc. My 8+ year old account...

      I still use it, but just to spam a block of text containing every foul word I know. Threw a few brands in as well. "Fuck shit Disney ass cunt anal Microsoft incest cum" etc.

      My 8+ year old account means nothing to me now so I don't care if they ban me. Salt the earth.

      2 votes
      1. [4]
        Whom
        Link Parent
        Why?

        Why?

        6 votes
        1. doogle
          Link Parent
          Many of Reddit's recent changes have been in preparation for an upcoming IPO. A large focus of these changes is to "clean up" the site (see: removing NSFW access even via paid API). But they can't...

          Many of Reddit's recent changes have been in preparation for an upcoming IPO. A large focus of these changes is to "clean up" the site (see: removing NSFW access even via paid API). But they can't control what we choose to post, can they? If Reddit is someplace that hosts fanart of "Mickey Mouse bukkake" do you think Disney would want to advertise there?

          3 votes
        2. [2]
          public
          Link Parent
          It’s cheekier than some boilerplate about protecting privacy or whatever. By being foul, it puts the idea of reddit being a cesspool in the minds of passers-by, thus slowly accelerating the...
          1. It’s cheekier than some boilerplate about protecting privacy or whatever.
          2. By being foul, it puts the idea of reddit being a cesspool in the minds of passers-by, thus slowly accelerating the decline of the site.
          1 vote
          1. raze2012
            Link Parent
            interesting approach, but given that 4chan exists after 20+ years I don't think being a cesspool ever stopped certain advertisers

            interesting approach, but given that 4chan exists after 20+ years I don't think being a cesspool ever stopped certain advertisers

  3. [9]
    PossiblyBipedal
    Link
    This sounds like a potential nightmare scenario. It's going to incentivise a lot of reposting previously known high karma comments and also low effort "funny" replies that you know will get...

    This sounds like a potential nightmare scenario. It's going to incentivise a lot of reposting previously known high karma comments and also low effort "funny" replies that you know will get reactions.

    I say low effort because they have to chase the minimum karma required in a year to get that money. So that's not going to incentivise taking time to write a long thoughtful comment. You just need volume.

    I'm not completely off reddit. But I'm barely on it since I only browse it on desktop now. And even then its to specific sub reddits I don't get anywhere else.

    But on occasions when I do end up on the front page, it has been quite disappointing. This will make it even more so.

    30 votes
    1. [7]
      doogle
      Link Parent
      This 🤣🤣🤣 the ol' reddit le switcheroo! Edit: Thanks for the gold kind stranger! RIP my inbox

      This 🤣🤣🤣 the ol' reddit le switcheroo! Edit: Thanks for the gold kind stranger! RIP my inbox

      35 votes
      1. [5]
        Raistlin
        Link Parent
        I looked for the downvote button just purely based on muscle memory.

        I looked for the downvote button just purely based on muscle memory.

        23 votes
      2. doors_cannot_stop_me
        Link Parent
        It's like I'm there. Like that chemical smell that accompanied new video games, or the feeling of cutting the corners of your mouth on those popsicles in the plastic tubes: nostalgic, yet...

        It's like I'm there. Like that chemical smell that accompanied new video games, or the feeling of cutting the corners of your mouth on those popsicles in the plastic tubes: nostalgic, yet unpleasant. Beautifully done.

        21 votes
    2. CptBluebear
      Link Parent
      5000 karma in twelve months is trivially easy. A well timed post on a sub like askreddit easily puts you at half that in a day. Not to say the outcome won't be the same when it's the gold...

      5000 karma in twelve months is trivially easy. A well timed post on a sub like askreddit easily puts you at half that in a day.

      Not to say the outcome won't be the same when it's the gold requirement that people need to chase. Probably lots of different "funny" posts trying to get a gold spread going.

      5 votes
  4. [4]
    Wolf_359
    Link
    My comment on Lemmy 2 months ago: How'd I do?

    My comment on Lemmy 2 months ago:

    My prediction: Reddit is moving toward a YouTube-esque format.

    They are going to monetize by allowing creators to make money from their content. This is why they're getting rid of awards. Of course, they'll take a cut which is probably why they're going toward this model.

    They have also been moving toward more detailed, identifiable profiles as well.

    They're trying to make the new social media.

    How'd I do?

    23 votes
    1. [3]
      OBLIVIATER
      Link Parent
      Pretty good prediction but remember it's been public news for years that reddit was planning something like this. They teased "crypto for karma" like 4 years ago and have been saying similar...

      Pretty good prediction but remember it's been public news for years that reddit was planning something like this. They teased "crypto for karma" like 4 years ago and have been saying similar things ever since.

      I'm surprised it took them this long honestly, I guess after Spez saw Musk do the same thing with Twitter he thought it was finally time to do it.

      8 votes
      1. saturnV
        Link Parent
        yeah, it was a thing on r/cryptocurrency where people "farmed moons" which could then be traded. There was even a scandal of mods abusing their powers to make money on them. That's going to happen...

        yeah, it was a thing on r/cryptocurrency where people "farmed moons" which could then be traded. There was even a scandal of mods abusing their powers to make money on them. That's going to happen so much more now, I guarantee there will be some sort of scandal in < 6 months from a mod profiting off abuse of the system.

        5 votes
      2. Wolf_359
        Link Parent
        Interesting! Was an avid Reddit user and didn't know that. Thanks for sharing that info. I think this will be horrible for Reddit.

        Interesting! Was an avid Reddit user and didn't know that. Thanks for sharing that info.

        I think this will be horrible for Reddit.

        4 votes
  5. [3]
    CannibalisticApple
    Link
    I'm still on reddit, but mainly to read update posts. I like seeing people vent or seek advice, and then get some sort of resolution. It helps me understand how some people's brains tick and...

    I'm still on reddit, but mainly to read update posts. I like seeing people vent or seek advice, and then get some sort of resolution. It helps me understand how some people's brains tick and expand my perspective to other experiences, and searching for updates specifically means I can get a sense of closure.

    That said, with this new policy, I foresee a LOT more outrageous and fake sagas to farm karma. There's a lot of fake sagas already, to the point I swear half the update posts I see end up with people having to defend themselves and explain "inconsistencies" people jumped on. Even if it's not supposed to apply to "trauma support communities"... Well, I don't think they count AITA and the offmychest subs in that category. Might not even count relationships.

    On that note, if anyone knows of any sites that can fill this itch, let me know.

    12 votes
    1. Curiouser
      Link Parent
      Me too, please! I love updates on relationship advice & whatnot and I haven't found anything to replace reddit.

      Me too, please! I love updates on relationship advice & whatnot and I haven't found anything to replace reddit.

      5 votes
    2. Amarok
      Link Parent
      You bring up an interesting use case there. Tracking updates like that might be something that can be helped along by a feature or class of features on a more intelligently designed website, like...

      You bring up an interesting use case there. Tracking updates like that might be something that can be helped along by a feature or class of features on a more intelligently designed website, like this one. ;)

      1 vote
  6. [6]
    Amun
    Link
    Jay Peters Reddit’s new Contributor Program will let you cash out gold given to your posts by other users in real money. Contributor program How it works But I’m worried the system could change...

    Jay Peters


    Reddit’s new Contributor Program will let you cash out gold given to your posts by other users in real money.


    Contributor program

    Under the new gold system, you can long-press an upvote button on mobile or hover over it on desktop to be able to buy gold. Reddit will offer six different purchase options for awarding gold, starting at a $1.99 option to buy one gold and going up to $49 for 25 gold. After you give your gold, you’ll see what Reddit calls a “golden upvote” next to the comment or post.

    The previous system let you give a bunch of different awards in addition to Reddit gold, including awards custom to individual subreddits. But Reddit Coins officially went away as of September 12th, so you can’t use them to award gold under this new system.

    I asked Reddit why it didn’t let people transfer over their coins to spend in the new system. “In the past, there were both paid and free coins that had been distributed, making it incredibly challenging,” spokesperson Tim Rathschmidt said. “After a lot of consideration, we determined it was better to start from scratch.”

    Crucially, if you earn a golden upvote, it might contribute to your ability to earn real money from the Contributor Program. If you’re eligible for the program and go through a verification process, you’ll get monthly payments based on the gold and karma you earn on “eligible contributions.”

    How it works

    “Eligible contributions”:

    Gold can be given to posts and comments, unless they include sexual content, content with graphic violence, or feature certain mature themes (e.g., alcohol, gambling). In addition, gold cannot be awarded on content posted in a Not Safe for Work (NSFW), quarantined, or trauma support community. Similarly, content on a redditor’s profile page isn’t eligible to receive gold — you can only purchase it in communities, in feeds, and on the post page.

    Here’s how Contributor Program payouts will work, according to information Rathschmidt shared with The Verge:

    In the standard “contributor” tier, you’ll get 90 cents for every gold you earn. But to be able to cash out, you’ll need to have earned a minimum of 10 gold and received between 100 and 4,999 karma over a 12-month period.

    As a “top contributor,” you’ll get $1 for every gold you earn. To cash out, you’ll have to surpass that 10 gold minimum and earn more than 5,000 karma over a 12-month period.

    To be eligible for the Contributor Program, you’ll need to be older than 18, live in a “supported location” (which at first is just the US), and your account will need to be in “good standing.” If you are eligible, the verification process should only take a few minutes to get through, Rathschmidt said. Both regular users and moderators can participate.

    With the introduction of the Contributor Program, thanking a kind stranger for giving you gold takes on a new meaning. The system seems designed to encourage people to post quality content to Reddit (like the types of posts you use Google to search for) and potentially earn money for that work.

    But I’m worried the system could change the culture of Reddit.

    Part of what makes Reddit so useful is that most great posts aren’t made with an expectation of payment, meaning that people share their expertise, a handy tip, or a funny joke just because they want to. That makes me trust them more. The carrot of real money for posts could change the site in a meaningful way; just look at the way X (formerly Twitter) has changed in part because of the annoying posts from verified X users trying to earn cash from its revenue-sharing system.

    I’m also worried that bad actors might find ways to abuse the Contributor Program to earn a quick buck without actually making meaningful contributions.

    When I asked how Reddit might prevent bad actors from taking advantage of the system, Rathschmidt said Reddit will use things like internal safety signals, Know Your Customer screenings, gold purchase limits, user reporting, and audits by admins (Reddit employees). I also asked how Reddit will ensure moderators, who can set rules for posts in their communities, don’t game the new program, and Rathschmidt said that moderators who are eligible for the program will have to abide by the Moderator Code of Conduct and the contributor monetization policy.

    Rolling out on Monday

    Reddit’s new gold system starts rolling out on Monday, and it will be available on “eligible content” on Reddit’s native mobile apps in select communities, with more communities getting it in “the coming week.” The feature will be available on the web “later this year.”

    The Contributor Program is also rolling out starting Monday, and it will be available on the web and Reddit’s mobile apps. You’ll be able to see if you’re eligible to be verified for the program by checking your profile.

    Some Reddit users weren’t happy with the decision to drop the old Reddit Gold system, which added to frustrations over the company’s introduction of usage-based API pricing that ultimately made some major third-party apps shut down. While the protests across the site over the API pricing have largely died down, some users expressed their unhappiness toward CEO Steve Huffman during the recent run of the r/Place interactive canvas.

    10 votes
    1. ZarK
      Link Parent
      I mean, what’s new? This has been reported on for a very long while. It’s why Reddit’s actions back in June were seen as part of a larger change for the worse and why so many core contributors...

      I mean, what’s new? This has been reported on for a very long while. It’s why Reddit’s actions back in June were seen as part of a larger change for the worse and why so many core contributors left the platform already then.

      It’s unfortunately too easy to imagine the world in which content means money.

      8 votes
    2. [3]
      tomf
      Link Parent
      That 5,000 karma over a year is going disqualify most folks that help out in support-focused subs where up-votes are rare, even though the comments are helpful.

      As a “top contributor,” you’ll get $1 for every gold you earn. To cash out, you’ll have to surpass that 10 gold minimum and earn more than 5,000 karma over a 12-month period.

      That 5,000 karma over a year is going disqualify most folks that help out in support-focused subs where up-votes are rare, even though the comments are helpful.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        ChingShih
        Link Parent
        It seems that support-focused communities will be bifurcated into things like tech support and things like trauma support. The trauma-related subreddits, like with NSFW subs, are exempted from the...

        It seems that support-focused communities will be bifurcated into things like tech support and things like trauma support. The trauma-related subreddits, like with NSFW subs, are exempted from the "contributor program" (this is mentioned under "Caveats").

        I haven't seen anything saying that people can't give gold to a post in those communities, so I imagine that Reddit keeps all the money and the user gets nothing. That is also what happens if someone posts something that is awarded gold and then the post is removed due to content violations or a similar situation. But in the case of trauma-related communities it seems like people are being incentivized to reward helpful advice and other content, but people are not rewarded for giving good advice or helpful content. I wonder if there will be a roll out of additional features for people who receive gold but can't cash it out, like the ability to have new posts in a thread highlighted and maybe some kind of lounge where all these almost-awarded users can hang out.

        4 votes
        1. tomf
          Link Parent
          oh yeah -- I was thinking of tech support. I can't imagine getting advice from people on reddit for something that matters. I can only get divorced so many times.

          oh yeah -- I was thinking of tech support. I can't imagine getting advice from people on reddit for something that matters. I can only get divorced so many times.

          2 votes
    3. raze2012
      Link Parent
      this is interesting since nsfw still doesn't distinguish between sexual content, mature rated content (e.g. M rated games, albums with explicit language warnings, etc), violence, or simply...

      In addition, gold cannot be awarded on content posted in a Not Safe for Work (NSFW), quarantined, or trauma support community

      this is interesting since nsfw still doesn't distinguish between sexual content, mature rated content (e.g. M rated games, albums with explicit language warnings, etc), violence, or simply sensitive topics. I guess this is going to cause more issues that could have been prevented years ago with a feature users asked for.

      moderators who are eligible for the program will have to abide by the Moderator Code of Conduct and the contributor monetization policy.

      you mean the ones that reddit turned a blind eye to for the better part of a decade?

      your community should not be used to direct, coordinate, or encourage interference in other communities and/or to target redditors for harassment.

      yet many high profile subs that are basically thinly veiled harassment hubs still thrive today

      Camping or sitting on a community is not encouraged. If a community has been empty or unmoderated for a significant amount of time, we will consider banning or restricting the community

      yet the way seniority works for mods mean a head mod can disappear, only pinging in every week despite doing zero work

      In order to maintain that trust, moderators are prohibited from taking moderation actions (including actions taken using mod tools, bots, and other services) in exchange for any form of compensation, consideration, gift, or favor from or on behalf of third parties

      yet these days some subs are openly created and moderated by paid CM staff.

      I'm not exactly reassured we won't see yet more mod abuse. Especially since the purge knocked out some of the mods with the most integrity.

      2 votes
  7. public
    Link
    Fun grift: post AI art with all the extra fingers removed with one account, then post the comment chains with the inevitable AI art drama—especially on a post earning gold updoots—into Subreddit...

    Fun grift: post AI art with all the extra fingers removed with one account, then post the comment chains with the inevitable AI art drama—especially on a post earning gold updoots—into Subreddit Drama. Too bad it’s currently US-only.

    6 votes
  8. flowerdance
    Link
    Perverse incentive chiming in

    Perverse incentive chiming in

    3 votes
  9. [2]
    primarily
    (edited )
    Link
    I know someone posted a study here recently, but the quality of Reddit posts has tanked, but I've personally noticed subreddits like Am I the Asshole have shifted to 100% formulaic posts that rake...

    I know someone posted a study here recently, but the quality of Reddit posts has tanked, but I've personally noticed subreddits like Am I the Asshole have shifted to 100% formulaic posts that rake in karma.

    My local city and Canadian haunts are now extremely vicious and/or radicalized shells, like where someone posted about noise in the city (previously a standard, low effort but otherwise benign post) and got flooded with horrible comments and attacks.

    I'd call Reddit a desolate, post apocalyptic wasteland, but I love that genre too much. It's a hole filled with bots; the seriously repressed; teens and children, and the blissfully unaware. This content farming sounds worse than pop news and clickbait.

    Second thoughts: If these content farms steal my work one day, I'm going to break some legs.

    Also, these over illustrated icons remind me of the fall of another online forum. They're so tacky and desperate, yet expensive. $1.99 is a tonne to tip an internet post. I'll have to check the split between "creator" and Reddit is.

    3 votes
    1. tauon
      Link Parent
      Easy way to prevent that from happening; delete your postings (and potentially re-upload elsewhere).

      Second thoughts: If these content farms steal my work one day, I'm going to break some legs.

      Easy way to prevent that from happening; delete your postings (and potentially re-upload elsewhere).

  10. Notcoffeetable
    Link
    Reddit running CHASH4GOLD commercials? Sounds about on track

    Reddit running CHASH4GOLD commercials? Sounds about on track

    4 votes
  11. mr-death
    Link
    Wait... What is reddit?

    Wait... What is reddit?

    1 vote