Can People See What You Upvote on Reddit? The Straight Dope

The burning question: Can people see what you upvote on Reddit? No, generally, other users cannot directly see what you upvote. However, there are nuances and exceptions to this, which we’ll explore in detail, along with related privacy considerations and the potential workarounds for those really determined to know. Reddit prioritizes user privacy, but like any online platform, a complete cloak of invisibility isn’t guaranteed. So, buckle up, because we’re about to dissect the intricacies of Reddit’s upvote visibility.

Understanding Reddit’s Upvote System and Privacy

Reddit’s upvote system is fundamental to the platform’s functionality. It’s how content is filtered, amplified, and ultimately determines what rises to the top of subreddits and users’ feeds. Think of it as a collective intelligence signal; a digital thumbs-up that shapes the Reddit experience.

However, the privacy implications of this system are significant. If every user could see every upvote, it would fundamentally alter user behavior. People might be less likely to upvote controversial opinions, niche interests, or posts they wouldn’t want associated with their public persona. That’s why Reddit largely keeps this information under wraps. It fosters a more open and honest environment where users can freely engage with content without fear of immediate judgment.

The core principle here is anonymity, or at least a degree of pseudonymity. While your username is public, your specific voting habits are generally considered private. This is essential for creating a thriving community where diverse opinions can flourish.

The Hidden Nature of Upvotes

By default, Reddit keeps your upvote activity private. This means other users cannot directly access a list of posts and comments you’ve upvoted. There is no “see user’s upvotes” button. There’s no API endpoint designed to expose this data. Reddit actively designs its platform to prevent this type of direct snooping.

However, “generally private” doesn’t mean “impenetrable.” There are indirect ways in which your upvotes might be inferred or deduced, which we will cover in the FAQs section.

Potential Workarounds and Considerations

Despite Reddit’s built-in privacy measures, some potential (though often unreliable and technically challenging) methods might be used to try and infer your upvote activity:

• Following User Activity: If someone were to consistently monitor your commenting activity and then track the score of specific posts you’ve engaged with shortly after, they might infer that you upvoted them. However, this is highly speculative and time-consuming, and far from a reliable indicator.
• Third-Party Tools (Use with Extreme Caution): While there aren’t legitimate Reddit-sanctioned tools for directly viewing upvotes, there could be shady, unofficial tools floating around. These are extremely risky. They could be malware, phishing scams, or simply ineffective. Avoid them at all costs. Sharing your Reddit credentials with unknown third parties is a recipe for account compromise.
• Correlation with Downvotes (Even Weaker): Theoretically, someone could try to deduce your upvotes by tracking posts you haven’t downvoted. The logic is that if you haven’t downvoted something, you might have upvoted it. This is, of course, absurdly unreliable. Most people don’t downvote the vast majority of content they see.

It’s crucial to understand that these methods are either extremely difficult, unreliable, or downright dangerous. Reddit’s privacy settings are designed to prevent this kind of tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 12 frequently asked questions regarding the visibility of Reddit upvotes:

1. Can I see my own upvote history?

Yes! You can see posts and comments you’ve upvoted. In the official Reddit app or on the desktop site, navigate to your profile and look for a “Upvoted” tab. This is your private record of your upvote activity. Other users cannot see this.

2. Does Reddit notify users when their posts are upvoted?

Yes, Reddit notifies users when their posts or comments receive upvotes. However, these notifications are purely about the vote count itself and don’t reveal who upvoted the content.

3. Are upvotes anonymous within subreddits?

Yes, upvotes are generally anonymous within subreddits. The count of upvotes is visible, but the individual users who contributed to that count remain hidden.

4. Can subreddit moderators see who upvoted posts?

No, moderators do not have special access to see who upvoted or downvoted content. They can only see the overall vote count.

5. Can Reddit administrators see my upvotes?

Potentially. Reddit administrators likely have the technical ability to access any user data, including upvote activity. However, this access is likely reserved for specific situations, such as investigating abuse or violations of Reddit’s terms of service. It is unlikely that admins are casually monitoring individual upvote patterns.

6. Do upvotes affect my karma?

Yes, upvotes contribute to your overall karma score. However, the exact formula for how upvotes translate to karma points is not publicly disclosed by Reddit.

7. Can I hide my karma score from other users?

No, you cannot hide your karma score from other users. It is publicly visible on your profile.

8. If I delete a post I upvoted, does it remove my upvote?

Yes, deleting a post removes your upvote. Similarly, if the post is removed by a moderator or administrator, your upvote is also removed.

9. Do awards affect the visibility of my upvotes?

No, giving or receiving awards does not change the privacy settings of your upvotes. Your upvote activity remains generally private.

10. Are there any browser extensions that can reveal upvotes?

There might be unofficial browser extensions claiming to reveal upvotes. Do not trust these. They are likely scams or malware. Installing such extensions could compromise your Reddit account and your overall online security.

11. If I upvote a post on a public subreddit, does that make my upvote more visible?

No, the privacy of your upvote remains the same regardless of whether the subreddit is public or private. The vote count is visible, but who upvoted remains hidden.

12. Has Reddit ever changed its policy on upvote visibility?

Reddit occasionally updates its privacy policies and platform features. While there haven’t been major changes specifically targeting upvote visibility recently, it’s always a good idea to stay informed about Reddit’s privacy policies to understand how your data is handled. You can find the official Reddit Privacy Policy on their website.

Conclusion: Your Upvotes Are (Mostly) Your Own

To reiterate, the answer is a resounding no, generally, other users cannot directly see what you upvote on Reddit. While there are theoretical workarounds, they are unreliable, technically challenging, and potentially dangerous. Reddit prioritizes user privacy, and your voting activity is largely shielded from public view. Enjoy engaging with content and shaping the Reddit experience without undue concern about others scrutinizing your every upvote! But, remember, nothing on the internet is ever completely private, so exercise good judgment and common sense when interacting online.