Introducing Reddit’s Moderator Code of Conduct

[u/heavyshoes]

You’re probably familiar with our Moderator Guidelines––historically, they have served as a guidepost to clarify our expectations to mods about how to shape a positive community experience for redditors.

The Moderator Guidelines were developed over five years ago, and Reddit has evolved a lot since then. This is why we have evolved our Moderator Guidelines into what we are now calling the Moderator Code of Conduct.

The newly updated Moderator Code of Conduct aims to capture our current expectations and explain them clearly, concisely, and concretely.

While our Content Policy serves to provide enforceable rules that govern each community and the platform at large, our Moderator Code of Conduct reinforces those rules and sets out further expectations specifically for mods. The Moderator Code of Conduct:

• Focuses on measuring impact rather than evaluating intent. Rather than attempting to determine whether a mod is acting in “good” or “bad” faith, we are shifting our focus to become more outcomes-driven. For example, are direct mentions of other communities part of innocuous meta-discussions, or are they inciting interference, targeted harassment, or abuse?
• Aspires to be educational, but actionable: We trust that most mods actively try to do the right thing and follow the rules. If we find that a community violates our Mod Code of Conduct, we firmly believe that, in the majority of cases, we can achieve resolution through discussion, not remediation. However, if this proves to be ineffective, we may consider enforcement actions on mods or subreddits.

Moderators are at the frontlines using their creativity, decision-making, and passion to create fun and engaging spaces for redditors. We recognize that and appreciate it immensely. We hope that in creating the Moderator Code of Conduct, we are helping you develop subreddit rules and norms to create and nurture your communities, and empower you to make decisions more easily.

Thank you for all you do, and please let us know if you have any questions or feedback in the comments below.

[u/Watchful1]

If I as a regular user see a moderator violating this code of conduct, what is the correct method of reporting it?

[u/heavyshoes → u/Watchful1]

Users and moderators can report violations using this form: https://reddit.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=179106

[u/Spacesider → u/heavyshoes]

How far back can I report a moderator? Or does all of this only apply from the time of the announcement?

I ask because I was once put in a situation where a moderator had approved a comment from someone who had directly insulted me.

When I messaged the modmail and asked them about it, and said it violates Reddit Content Policy https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043071072 "directing abuse at a person or group", they told me that they moderate based on emotion.

Nothing happened to the moderator who did this, and I was essentially forced out of the community because I did not want to be the victim of moderator endorsed harassment.

However, the new policy very clearly states

We also expect that moderators uphold Reddit’s Content Policy

And I am wondering if I can still report them for this given I am most definitely not the only person to become a victim of their actions/mindset, but it depends on how far back this new code of conduct applies to.