How to Write Reddit Comments That Get Upvotes (Beginner's Guide)

Every day, millions of comments are posted on Reddit. Most of them get completely ignored—zero upvotes, zero replies, zero impact. They just sit there, invisible, while a handful of comments rocket to the top with hundreds or thousands of upvotes.

What separates these winners from the forgotten masses?

After analyzing thousands of top comments across dozens of subreddits, I've identified the specific patterns that consistently earn upvotes. This isn't about gaming the system or being manipulative—it's about understanding what makes content valuable to Reddit communities and delivering that value consistently.

Whether you're building karma for a new account, establishing credibility in your niche, or growing a brand presence, mastering comments is your foundation. Let's break down exactly how to do it.

TL;DR - Writing Reddit Comments That Get Upvotes

• Comment early on rising posts for maximum visibility — sort by "Rising" or "New" to find opportunities
• Deliver genuine value through personal experience, expert knowledge, or actionable tips in every comment
• Format comments with short paragraphs, bold key points, and bullet lists so they are easy to scan
• Match the tone and culture of each subreddit — what works in one community may bomb in another
• Aim for 5-10 quality comments per day across different subreddits to build karma consistently

Why Comments Matter More Than Posts

Most Reddit strategies focus on posts, but comments are actually more powerful for several reasons:

Lower barrier to entry: Posts face strict rules, karma requirements, and heavy competition. Comments have almost no restrictions.

Higher success rate: A mediocre post gets buried. A mediocre comment on a rising post still gets seen by thousands.

Faster karma building: You can leave 20 thoughtful comments in the time it takes to craft one quality post.

Relationship building: Comments let you interact directly with community members and establish your voice.

Algorithm advantage: Early comments on posts that blow up can earn massive karma with relatively little effort.

According to Sprout Social's research on community engagement, comment-based interactions build stronger connections than broadcast-style posts. This applies directly to Reddit.

The Anatomy of an Upvoted Comment

Before diving into specific formulas, let's understand what makes any comment upvote-worthy:

1. Value Density

The best comments deliver maximum value in minimum words. Every sentence should earn its place. Reddit users scroll fast—you have seconds to prove your comment is worth reading.

2. Appropriate Tone

Each subreddit has its own culture. A comment that kills in r/wallstreetbets would bomb in r/personalfinance. Match the community's voice.

3. Timing

Comments posted early on rising posts get exponentially more visibility than late comments on established posts. Timing isn't everything, but it's a significant multiplier.

4. Formatting

Wall-of-text comments get skipped. Strategic formatting—short paragraphs, bold text, bullet points—makes your comment scannable and inviting.

5. Authenticity

Redditors have finely-tuned BS detectors. Genuine comments from real experience outperform polished corporate-speak every time.

10 Proven Comment Formulas That Get Upvotes

Formula 1: The Personal Experience Story

Nothing beats first-hand experience. When someone asks a question or shares a situation, responding with your own relevant story creates instant connection.

Structure:

• Brief context (1-2 sentences)
• Your experience (2-4 sentences)
• What you learned or recommend (1-2 sentences)

Example:

"I dealt with exactly this last year. Tried three different approaches before finding what worked—turns out the issue was [specific detail]. What finally fixed it was [solution]. Save yourself the headache I went through and start there."

Why it works: Personal stories are unique, authentic, and impossible to Google. They demonstrate real expertise.

Formula 2: The Helpful Expert Answer

When you have genuine expertise, share it generously. Don't hold back information—give the complete answer.

Structure:

• Direct answer to the question (first sentence)
• Explanation of why (2-3 sentences)
• Additional context or tips (1-2 sentences)
• Offer to elaborate if needed

Example:

"The short answer is X. Here's why: [explanation]. One thing most people miss is [additional insight]. Happy to go deeper on any part of this if it's helpful."

Why it works: You're providing genuine value while positioning yourself as a helpful authority.

Formula 3: The Contrarian Take (With Evidence)

Respectfully disagreeing with the consensus—when you have good reasons—often generates discussion and upvotes.

Structure:

• Acknowledge the common view
• Present your different perspective
• Support with evidence or experience
• Invite discussion

Example:

"I know most people here recommend X, but I've actually had better results with Y. Here's why: [evidence]. Not saying X is wrong—it might depend on [variable]. Anyone else had a similar experience?"

Why it works: Thoughtful disagreement adds value to the discussion. It's refreshing compared to echo-chamber agreement.

Formula 4: The Quick Win

Sometimes the best comment is a fast, actionable tip that solves someone's problem immediately.

Structure:

• The tip (one sentence)
• Quick explanation if needed

Example:

"Add site:reddit.com before your search term. Shows you only Reddit results—way better than scrolling through garbage."

Why it works: Immediate value, no fluff. People upvote comments that make their lives easier right now.

Formula 5: The Relatable Observation

Pointing out something that many people experience but rarely discuss creates an "I'm not alone!" moment.

Structure:

• The observation
• Why it resonates (optional)

Example:

"The worst part isn't the rejection—it's the three weeks of silence before they send the generic 'we've decided to move forward with other candidates' email."

Why it works: Shared experiences build community. People upvote comments that articulate what they've felt.

Formula 6: The Well-Formatted List

Lists are inherently scannable and feel comprehensive. They're especially powerful for how-to questions.

Structure:

• Brief intro (optional)
• Numbered or bulleted list
• Brief conclusion (optional)

Example:

"What worked for me:

1. Start with X - this handles 80% of cases

2. If that fails, try Y - takes longer but more thorough

3. Last resort: Z - only if nothing else works

Usually step 1 is enough."

Why it works: Easy to read, easy to save, easy to share. Lists feel actionable.

Formula 7: The Insider Knowledge Drop

Sharing information that isn't widely known—industry insights, behind-the-scenes details, little-known tricks—positions you as a valuable source.

Structure:

• The hook ("most people don't know...")
• The insider info
• Why it matters

Example:

"Former [industry] person here. What they don't advertise is [insider info]. The real reason is [explanation]. Keep this in mind when [application]."

Why it works: Exclusive information is inherently valuable. People upvote and save these comments.

Formula 8: The Thoughtful Question

Asking a good follow-up question can be as valuable as providing an answer. It advances the discussion and shows you're engaged.

Structure:

• Acknowledge the post/comment
• Ask a specific, thoughtful question

Example:

"Interesting approach. I'm curious—did you consider [alternative]? Wondering if it might work better for [specific situation]."

Why it works: Good questions create discussion. They also demonstrate that you've actually read and thought about the content.

Formula 9: The Humor Hit

Well-timed humor is incredibly powerful on Reddit. But it has to be genuinely funny and appropriate to the context.

Caution: Humor is high-risk, high-reward. Forced jokes bomb hard. Only use this if you're confident in your comedic timing.

Structure:

• The joke or observation
• (No explanation needed—if you have to explain it, it's not working)

Why it works: Laughter is valuable. People upvote what makes them smile.

Formula 10: The Source Provider

When discussions cite statistics or make claims, providing actual sources is enormously valuable.

Structure:

• Relevant point or context
• Link to credible source
• Key takeaway from the source

Example:

"There's actually data on this. According to source, [key finding]. Kind of changes how you think about it."

Why it works: Sources add credibility to discussions. You become the person who backs up claims with evidence.

Formatting Your Comments for Maximum Impact

How your comment looks matters almost as much as what it says.

Use Strategic Line Breaks

Break your comment into short paragraphs. On Reddit, walls of text get scrolled past.

Bad:

"Here's my take on this. First you need to understand that the market has shifted significantly over the past year and what worked before doesn't necessarily work now. The key changes include increased competition, algorithm updates, and shifting user preferences. What I recommend is focusing on..."

Good:

"Here's my take.

The market has shifted significantly this past year. What worked before doesn't necessarily work now.

Key changes:

- Increased competition

- Algorithm updates

- Shifting user preferences

What I recommend..."

Bold Key Points

Use bold text to highlight the most important information. It helps scanners find value fast.

Use Headers for Long Comments

If your comment is substantial (which it should be for complex topics), use headers to organize:

## Main Point

Explanation...

## Second Point

Explanation...

Include Relevant Links

When you reference something, link to it. This adds credibility and helps readers. For example, if you're discussing Reddit marketing strategies, you might link to resources like why Reddit matters for businesses.

Timing: When to Comment for Maximum Visibility

The timing of your comment dramatically affects how many people see it.

The Early Bird Advantage

Comments on new posts that later blow up receive exponentially more visibility than comments on already-popular posts. A mediocre comment posted early often outperforms an excellent comment posted late.

Strategy: Browse "Rising" and "New" tabs in subreddits you follow. When you see a post with potential, comment early.

Prime Posting Hours

Reddit traffic peaks during certain hours, which affects both post and comment visibility. Generally:

• US-focused subreddits: 6-9 AM EST sees posts that climb throughout the day
• Global subreddits: More evenly distributed, but US hours still dominate

For detailed timing strategies, check out our guide on the best times to post on Reddit.

The "Rising" Strategy

Sort by "Rising" to find posts gaining momentum. These are prime comment opportunities—enough engagement to be promising, but not so much that your comment gets buried.

Building Karma Through Strategic Commenting

If your goal is building karma (which matters for avoiding post removals and establishing credibility), here's an efficient approach:

Target the Right Subreddits

Some subreddits are karma-friendly:

• Large, active communities (more potential upvoters)
• Question-based subreddits (endless opportunities to help)
• Communities matching your expertise

Learn to identify the best communities for your niche using our guide on finding the right subreddits.

Volume + Quality

Don't choose between quality and quantity—do both. Aim for 5-10 thoughtful comments per day across different subreddits. Each one should provide genuine value.

Engage With Responses

When people reply to your comments, respond thoughtfully. This:

• Builds relationships
• Often generates additional upvotes
• Signals to algorithms that your content creates engagement

Common Commenting Mistakes to Avoid

The Generic Agreement

"This. So much this." or "Came here to say this."

These add nothing and often get downvoted. If you agree, explain why or add something new.

The Obvious Answer

If your answer is the first thing anyone would Google, it's probably not worth posting. Add unique value.

The Unsolicited Promotion

Dropping links to your product or website without context is the fastest way to get downvoted (and possibly banned). If you want to build visibility through comments, it needs to be genuinely relevant and helpful.

The Aggressive Disagreement

Disagreeing is fine—being combative isn't. "You're completely wrong" triggers defensiveness. "I see it differently" opens dialogue.

The Wall of Text

Even great content gets ignored if it's not formatted for readability. Break it up.

The Late Pile-On

Adding the 50th comment saying the same thing as the top 49 provides zero value. Read existing comments before adding yours.

Advanced: Using Comments to Build Your Brand

If you're on Reddit for business purposes, comments are your primary tool for building presence without triggering spam filters.

Establish Expertise First

Before any promotional activity, build a history of helpful, expert comments in your niche. This creates credibility that makes later promotion more effective and less likely to be removed.

Create a Recognizable Voice

Consistency in how you communicate makes you memorable. Whether it's your formatting style, your expertise area, or your communication approach—be recognizable.

Strategic Helpfulness

When someone asks a question related to your product/service category, provide a genuinely complete answer. Don't mention your offering unless directly relevant and you're transparent about the connection.

Build Relationships With Power Users

Identify active, respected members in your target subreddits. Engage thoughtfully with their posts and comments. These relationships can be valuable for driving organic traffic.

Tools to Improve Your Commenting

Track Your Performance

Keep a simple log of your comments and their performance. Look for patterns—which formulas work best in which communities?

Set Up Alerts

Use tools or Reddit's notification features to monitor keywords relevant to your expertise. When those topics come up, you can provide valuable input.

Use Reddit Enhancement Suite (RES)

This browser extension adds features that make commenting easier—better formatting tools, user tagging, and more.

Putting It All Together: A Daily Commenting Routine

Here's a practical routine for building karma and presence through comments:

Morning (10-15 minutes):

1. Check "Rising" in 2-3 subreddits you follow
2. Leave 2-3 thoughtful comments on promising posts
3. Reply to any responses from yesterday

Evening (10-15 minutes):

1. Check "Hot" to see which posts took off
2. Add value to active discussions where you have something unique to say
3. Leave 2-3 more quality comments

This modest routine—20-30 minutes daily—can build significant karma and presence over time.

Conclusion

Writing Reddit comments that get upvoted isn't about tricks or manipulation. It's about understanding what makes content valuable and consistently delivering that value.

The core principles:

1. Provide genuine value in every comment
2. Match the community's tone and culture
3. Format for readability with short paragraphs and strategic bold text
4. Time your comments for maximum visibility
5. Be authentically helpful without expecting immediate returns

Master commenting first, and everything else on Reddit becomes easier. Your posts get more credibility, your account builds karma, and your presence in communities strengthens.

For more strategies on building your Reddit presence, explore our guides on getting upvotes on your content and creating posts that perform.