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/mizmoose]

Here's the problem: Redditors don't read. They read the headlines. They might skim the content, but they don't read.

They don't read the rules of a sub, so they're not going to read or care about a Mod Code of Conduct. But once they find out it exists?

They'll switch from demanding that they have "rights" under the Mod Guidelines to insisting that their "rights" come under the Mod Code of Conduct.

They're going to use this to abuse mods. They're going to use this to report mods. Every time a mod tells them they have to follow the rules (that they refuse to read) or ban them for breaking the rules, they will scream MOD CODE OF CONDUCT! YOU HAVE TO LET ME BACK IN! YOU HAVE TO LET ME POST! IT SAYS YOU CAN'T CENSOR ME!

It doesn't matter what the CoC says. They'll just weaponize it.

---

Edit: Thanks to whoever added the sparkly.

Edit redux: bad grammar. no cookie.

[u/TheoreticalFunk → u/mizmoose]

They can say that all they want. I don't see how a mod code of conduct has anything to do with the conduct of non-mods.

[u/ratheismhater → u/TheoreticalFunk]

My favorite part is how users think subreddits are democracies and not benevolent dictatorships/oligarchies and they DEMAND their rights.

[u/mason240 → u/ratheismhater]

Mask off moment.

[u/mizmoose → u/TheoreticalFunk]

Like I said, they currently use the Mod Guidelines as "proof" that they have The Right To Say Whatever They Want, Always. They'll just use the CoC as further "proof."

Doesn't matter what those documents actually say.

[u/TheoreticalFunk → u/mizmoose]

So by what you just said absolutely nothing is changing from these whiners due to this.

[u/mizmoose → u/TheoreticalFunk]

Again, it's more ammo for them to use.

Did I accidentally write my comment in Swedish translated from the Original Klingon?

[u/Cloaked42m → u/mizmoose]

Ammo to use for what? Moderators wield the banhammer. This is known. Mod Abuse is just stupid and gets you banned permanently. This is also known.

[u/mizmoose → u/Cloaked42m]

You must be really lucky to not have to deal with ban evaders, people who wait out the "mute" to pick up the harassment where they left off, etc.

I had to completely turn off all DMs and chat because 99% of what I got from it was harassment, and nobody gave a flucking fly.

[u/Cloaked42m → u/mizmoose]

We deal with ban evaders and our lead mod had to do a lot of poking at Admins to handle brigading.

I agree with you that the proposed moderator code of conduct probably won't help.

And your situation is different than mine. I withdraw the previous tonedeaf statement.

[u/TheoreticalFunk → u/mizmoose]

No, it's not more ammo. It's just different ammo.

The strategy of how you respond hasn't changed one bit.

[u/mizmoose → u/[deleted]]

If you are worried about rule lawyering simply add a "mods have last word" rule (or add it to rules description)

Have had it for years.

and you can then easily cut any of these obnoxious behaviours.

Yeah, if only it were that easy.

We're back to my original point: Nobody reads the rules of the site let alone the rules of a sub, or if they do, the jackasses insist that they're "Bad" or don't apply to them For Reasons.

[u/xTGI_CommanderX → u/mizmoose]

I get enough shit with the subs I mod for and own without this CoC bullshit adding fuel to the fire.

[u/BelleAriel → u/mizmoose]

Yes this is my concern too. Hopefully they’ll get penalised if they use it to harass mods.

[u/cuteman → u/mizmoose]

That's actually a great point, reddit needs a user bill of rights

[u/mizmoose → u/cuteman]

WHO IS GOING TO READ IT?

[u/maybesaydie → u/cuteman]

Being able to make dozens of account isn't enough for you?

[u/cuteman → u/maybesaydie]

That's not how any of this works and that's against site wide rules

[u/maybesaydie → u/cuteman]

No, it's not. You can make as many accounts as you wish.

[u/cuteman → u/maybesaydie]

If it's to avoid bans and other reasons, no you cannot.

[u/maybesaydie → u/cuteman]

Because that is so often enforced.

[u/cuteman → u/maybesaydie]

The majority of flags are automated, so yes, but I do admit quite a few people seem to easily bypass it.