You have seen Reddit badges, but don’t exactly know what reddit awards do.
Reddit awards simply do three things:

Reddit Awards have become a staple of community culture on the platform, allowing users to recognize valuable content while adding a touch of fun and encouragement. They let users go beyond upvotes to recognize posts or comments they find especially helpful, insightful, or entertaining.
The Reddit Awards highlight quality content, boost its visibility, and reward creators with recognition and sometimes perks, such as Reddit Premium or monetary benefits. They serve as social proof within Reddit communities, demonstrating that a contribution is worthy of attention.
Today, we’ll look into Reddit Awards, what they are, the types available, how they work, their costs, and how they benefit both the givers and recipients. We’ll also discuss how awards impact a post’s reach and visibility, making them an essential tool if you’re looking to grow and engage within the Reddit community.
What Are Reddit Awards?
Reddit Awards are virtual badges that you can give to Reddit posts or comments to show your appreciation for them, beyond just a regular upvote. Being one of Reddit’s strongest engagement signals, these awards play both a social and visibility-driven role on the platform.
But how do Reddit awards work?
Main Elements of Reddit Awards
Here’s what makes up the Reddit Awards system:
Awards visually elevate content and communicate value. They often do so more powerfully than karma alone.
Description (How They Appear on Reddit)
When a post or comment receives an award:
This makes awards a form of social proof, especially in busy subreddits.
If you feel like you don’t have enough followers and you need more, find out how to get followers on Reddit.
The Purpose of Reddit Awards
The main purpose of Reddit Awards is to reward quality contributions and guide attention within a community.
Unlike upvotes, awards involve intention and, often, money. It makes them feel more meaningful.
Do Reddit Awards Affect Karma?
No, Reddit Awards do not directly increase karma.
So while Reddit's award money or coins don’t convert into karma points, awards often trigger the activity that raises karma naturally.
In essence, awards don’t change the score, but they change how many people notice the content.
8 Types of Reddit Awards You Need to Know About

Reddit offers multiple types of awards, each serving a different purpose, from simple appreciation to premium recognition with real perks. Below is a clear breakdown of all major Reddit award types and how they’re used.
1. Basic/Free Awards
These are occasionally given by Reddit for free and allow users to reward content without spending coins.
Examples: Helpful, Wholesome, Silver-style badges
A comment with a small “Wholesome” or “Helpful” badge under it in subreddits like r/AskReddit or r/NoStupidQuestions is an example of such rewards.
2. Gifting Awards
These are paid awards purchased using Reddit Coins and given to posts or comments.
This is where people often ask, “Do Reddit awards cost money?”
The answer is yes, most do. As you purchase Reddit awards with “gold”, Most run between 15 and 50.
But, are Reddit awards worth money? Absolutely. You are grabbing the reputation, while the gold units have their credits.
3. Gold Award
One of the most recognizable Reddit awards.
4. Platinum Award
A higher-tier premium award.
5. Argentinum Award
An elite-level award meant for exceptional contributions.
When it comes to these awards, users frequently ask questions about whether Reddit awards are worth money. Well, they aren’t exactly cash, but the perks are valuable.
6. Ternion Award
The highest-value Reddit award available on the platform.
7. Community Awards
Custom awards created by individual subreddits.
8. Golden Upvote
A newer and premium-style engagement feature on Reddit.
They are often confused with Reddit award money, but still a cosmetic/engagement tool.
Here is a Quick Summary
Together, these awards explain clearly how Reddit awards work and why users continue to use them to elevate quality content.
How Reddit Awards Impact Content Visibility
Receiving an award does much more than just make a user feel appreciated. It can significantly enhance a post’s reach and credibility. Here’s how awards influence content visibility:
Increased Engagement and Reach
Awards act as a form of social proof, telling other users that a post or comment is worth reading and engaging with. Posts with multiple awards often see a boost in engagement, as more users are likely to comment, upvote, and share the content. An awarded post can also gain more traction, potentially reaching the front page of a subreddit or even trending on Reddit’s main page.
Awards as a Sign Of Quality
Awards help posts stand out by vouching for quality, insight, or creativity to other users. When a user sees that a post has multiple awards, they’re more likely to trust the content and interact with it. Awards, in a sense, serve as a "seal of approval," attracting attention and encouraging more views.
Benefits for Award Recipients and Givers
Reddit Awards aren’t just decorative badges. They actually create real value for both the person receiving the award and the one giving it. Here’s how each side benefits-
Benefits for Recipients
Receiving Reddit Awards can positively impact visibility, credibility, and overall experience on the platform.
Benefits for Givers
Giving awards is also rewarding. It plays a key role in shaping Reddit communities.
In short, awards create a win–win system. Recipients gain recognition and perks, while givers shape content quality and community standards actively.
Understanding Reddit Gold and Costs
Reddit Awards are powered by Reddit Coins (often still casually called Reddit Gold). Here’s how buying works, what awards cost, and whether there’s any real money involved.
How to Buy Reddit Gold (Reddit Coins)
You cannot buy the Reddit coins at this point. The process got discontinued, and the award system is kind of doing the same thing. However, you can avail a lot of features with the premium.
Coins are stored in your account and can be used anytime to give awards.
Costs of Various Awards (Approximate)

Here’s a general breakdown of common award costs in Reddit Coins:
For reference, 500 coins usually cost around USD $1.99–$2.49, depending on bundle size and region.
Can You Make Money From Reddit Awards?
Short answer: Not directly. But indirectly, yes.
Awards do not convert straight into cash. However, through Reddit’s Contributor Program, you can earn real money if you are eligible for it.
So Reddit award money may not be a direct payout per award, but high-quality, award-winning content can translate into real earnings over time.
Tips for Using Reddit Awards Effectively
Awards are most powerful when you use them intentionally, not randomly.
When to Give Awards?
Giving awards thoughtfully strengthens communities, boosts quality content, and makes your coins count.
How to Make the Most of Awards as a Recipient?
If you receive an award, engage with those who awarded you by responding to their comments or thanking them in your post. This small interaction helps build meaningful bonds and strengthens the community. Additionally, consider paying it forward by using any extra Reddit gold to award other users, which can spread positivity and keep the cycle of recognition going.
Engaging with Award Givers
A simple thank-you can go a long way toward building a positive presence on Reddit. Engage with those who give you awards by replying to their comments, which can lead to further conversations and deepen community connections.
When and Why to Use Reddit Awards Thoughtfully
Using awards thoughtfully can create meaningful interactions. Here are some tips for using awards responsibly-
The Evolution of Reddit Awards Over Time
Reddit’s award system has gradually evolved from a simple premium badge into a complex engagement and monetization tool.
Timeline of Reddit Awards

From Simple Upvotes to Complex Awards
Initially, Reddit relied entirely on upvotes and downvotes to rank content. As communities grew, this system couldn’t fully capture nuance; funny, helpful, and generous posts all looked the same.
Awards added emotional context, allowing users to express why something mattered, not just that it did. This shift made recognition more expressive and community-driven.
Recent Award Updates and Changes
These changes position Reddit Awards as more than decoration; they now influence discovery, reputation, and potential income.
Reddit Awards and Their Role in Reddit’s Business Model
Reddit Awards are not only a tool for user engagement but also a vital part of Reddit’s business model. Understanding this aspect of awards provides information on how they support the platform’s sustainability and growth.
How Awards Generate Revenue for Reddit
When users purchase Reddit Gold to give awards, they directly support the platform financially. Reddit gold is bought in bundles, allowing users to select awards within their budget. For Reddit, this creates a revenue stream that aligns with user-driven engagement, as more active users are likely to buy gold to support their favourite content and creators.
Awards and Reddit Premium
Awards like Platinum often come with Reddit Premium access, encouraging users to try Reddit’s subscription service. Reddit Premium includes perks like ad-free browsing, premium lounge access, and custom avatars, which add value to the user experience. Premium awards, therefore, act as an incentive for users to explore Reddit’s paid features, which can increase long-term subscriptions and sustain Reddit’s operations.
Conclusion
Reddit Awards are a valuable tool for recognizing and celebrating quality content, fostering a supportive and engaging atmosphere on the platform. Awards encourage users to create valuable content, help boost visibility, and can even offer perks for recipients. By using awards thoughtfully, Redditors can show appreciation for content that truly adds value and helps build stronger, more interactive communities.
For those looking to expand their Reddit presence even further, Social Plug offers resources to boost visibility and engagement on platforms like Reddit. While Reddit Awards are a powerful way to highlight quality content, authentic community engagement remains the foundation of any successful Reddit experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Reddit Awards cost money?
Yes. Most Reddit Awards are bought using Reddit Gold, which is purchased with real money, though free awards are given occasionally.
Do Reddit Awards affect post visibility?
Indirectly, yes. Awards act as social proof, often increasing engagement, which can help a post gain more visibility.
Can you make money from Reddit Awards?
Yes, in some cases. Through Reddit’s Contributor Program, certain awards and upvotes can translate into real earnings.
What is the most valuable Reddit Award?
Ternion and Argentinum are among the highest-value awards, offering the most perks and recognition.
How do Reddit Awards work?
Users spend Reddit Gold to give awards to posts or comments they appreciate. Some awards also give perks like Reddit Premium time to recipients.
Do Reddit Awards increase karma?
No. Awards themselves don’t add karma, but the extra attention they bring can lead to more upvotes.
Can you remove or hide Reddit Awards?
No. Once an award is given, it remains visible on the post or comment.












0 Comments
Great tips! I never realized how much engagement impacts growth more than just posting frequently. I've been focusing only on content, but now I see how interacting with my audience can make a difference. Time to step up my strategy!
Super helpful article! I always thought Facebook Groups were just for discussions and never really considered them as a tool for growing followers. The idea of actively engaging and sharing valuable content in relevant groups makes so much sense. I'll definitely start participating more and see how it impacts my page. Thanks for the great advice!