In a super-caffeinated world, it’s such a crowded space online with everyone vying for your attention. However, few sites have managed to create an identity like Reddit. What is Reddit? Known as “the front page of the internet,” Reddit has more to it than just another social media site. It’s a sprawling, user-driven set of communities, a living, breathing view of internet culture, and a place where you can find information, entertainment, and connection all in your feed! Whether this is the first time you’ve heard about Reddit, you want to delete your account, or you are just wondering what the heck “Reddit Gold” is, this post is a true and meaningful introduction to Reddit.

What is Reddit? 

Reddit is a social, web content rating, and discussion website created in 2005. It is different from sites such as Facebook or Twitter, where you follow individuals; Reddit operates around “subreddits”—unique communities that focus on a topic or interest. 

Reddit subreddits will always start with /r/ and are identified by the topic name, for example:

/r/science for scientist conversation

/r/movies for film or movie enthusiasts

/r/AskReddit for random open-ended questions

/r/funny for memes and jokes

In conclusion, anyone can submit a post (whether text, links, images, or videos) to a subreddit. Other users can then upvote/downvote a post, which may affect how often it is seen. The comments work similarly. With this upvote/downvote functionality, the best or most interesting content can rise to the top of a subreddit.

The democracy aspect of Reddit is part of its appeal but can also be part of its challenge. On Reddit you can find everything from research-based educational content to memes and jokes to controversial debates. 

What is Reddit being used for?

Users use Reddit in so many different ways that it’s almost endless. Below are a few general examples of what people are typically using Reddit for:

1. News & Current Events

Reddit often gets news faster than traditional media. Subreddits (Reddit users) such as /r/worldnews and /r/politics are often able to highlight breaking news and provide different viewpoints regarding the news faster and better as it unfolds.

2. Q&A & Crowd-Sourced Knowledge

Lots of subreddits like /r/AskReddit, /r/AskScience, or /r/relationships allow people to ask questions to users about these and receive meaningful responses from the community on Reddit.

3. Entertainment & Comedy

There are a boatload of content subreddits, such as /r/funny or /r/todayilearned, from memes to funny stories, to keep you entertained for days on end.

4. Learning & Self-Improvement

To learn a new skill or hobby, there are endless subreddits, for example:

/r/learnprogramming

/r/personalfinance

 

/r/Fitness

 

5. Support & Community

If you are dealing with any regression, addiction, etc., or simply just want to share a story that others may like or relate to, there are subreddits such as /r/depression, /r/stopdrinking, or /r/TrueOffMyChest to find empathetic and emotional support.

How to Delete Your Account on Reddit.

If you decide to break up with Reddit and you want to discard your account, follow the instructions below.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Log in to your Reddit account.
2. Click your profile icon (top right), then find and click User Settings. 
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the “Account” tab.
4. Click “Delete Account.”
5. Reddit will then ask you to re-enter your username and password, and optionally, you can include a reason.
6. Click the confirm button to delete your account.

 

Important Notes:

1. Deleting an account is a permanent action. You cannot recover your account after it’s been deleted. 
2. Your posts and comments will still live on Reddit but will be shown as from a deleted user (unless you delete them before deleting your account).

How to Change Your Reddit Username

 

Reddit has a unique policy on usernames compared with other social media platforms.

❌ You cannot change your Reddit username after it is created unless:

You signed up for Reddit using Google, Apple, or email, and Reddit provided you a username (for example, something generic such as “u-Throwaway123”). In this case, the username was auto-generated, and Reddit gives you one opportunity to change it.

Here are the steps to do so (IF you qualify):

1. Open the Reddit app (not the desktop).

 

2. Go to your profile by clicking the profile icon.

 

3. If you are able to change the name, Reddit will ask you again if you would like to change the username.

 

4. Click “Change Username,” enter your new username, and confirm.

 

5. From that point forward, your new username is permanent. If you created a unique 

username, there is no way to change it. You would have to delete your account to create a new one.

 

What is Reddit Gold (Now Called Reddit Premium)?

 

Reddit Gold used to be a way to reward quality posts or comments. It’s been replaced by Reddit Premium, which is a subscription, and Reddit Coins, which is a virtual currency—although many users still refer to it as “Gold” out of habit.

 

Here’s what it means:

✅ Reddit Premium

Subscription (around $5.99/month)

Removes ads

Monthly Reddit coins

Access to /r/lounge, exclusive subreddit

💰 Reddit Coins

Currency

Used to reward others for quality content (e.g, “Helpful Award”, “Wholesome Award”)

You buy Coins with real money when you want to reward and show appreciation

🏅 Awards

When a post or comment receives an award, it simply highlights something as something valuable, funny, or kind. Similar to “tipping” someone for quality content.

 

The Importance of Reddit Reddit’s strength is in its community-driven format. It is raw, authentic, and filled with community niches. You can find deep conversations, funny rabbit holes, and brutally honest experiences—often in the same subreddit. 

But Reddit is not for everyone. The open structure means that it could be awesome or painfully bad. Some communities are welcoming; others can be downright nasty. Moderation sometimes varies in terms of quality. But, for those who are willing to engage thoughtfully and purposefully with topics, Reddit can be one of the most exciting things about the internet. 

Conclusion

Whether this is your first experience as a curious subject matter expert or you have been lurking for years, understanding Reddit will help you to use it more purposefully or understand when it is time to walk away. There are over 100,000 active subreddits, making Reddit a street corner of internet culture, both the beautiful and the ridiculous. 

And whether you are awarding Reddit Gold for a great comment, looking up borderline esoteric topics of interest, or deciding to delete your account and move on, Reddit is what you make it.