Reddit introduced the "Mod Helper Program" to recognize and reward moderators who provide valuable advice to their colleagues.
The initiative aims to address ongoing discontent among moderators over app shutdowns and pricing changes to API . Moderators have been calling for better tools to monitor apps, as existing ones are not as advanced. Tensions have been rising as Reddit admins continue to remove mod teams for making subreddits private in protest of API pricing.
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The Mod Helper Program is a tiered system that rewards helpful moderators based on the number of upvotes they receive on r/ModSupport. The program levels range from “Helper” to “Expert Helper,” and each level comes with its own unique rewards. Reddit launched a similar program earlier this year on r/help, where users are rewarded for responding to requests from other users. The goal is to foster collaboration among moderators and learn from each other.
Additionally, Reddit introduced Modmail Answer Bot, which provides relevant links to the Help Center, where support for more complex questions is available. The tool aims to streamline moderator requests, allowing moderators to focus on more complex issues. Reddit is also merging the Help Center for moderators with the site-wide Help Center for better accessibility.
The relationship between Reddit and its moderators is somewhat tense, due to various issues, including protests over API pricing and the lack of adequate oversight tools. The comment by Reddit's CEO, Steve Huffman, which describes the protesting moderators as «landed gentry» sparked further anger. Reddit has intensified its efforts to quell this uprising, removing moderators who refused to reopen their subreddits. This led to the replacement of experienced moderators with countless ones, causing disruption.
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The response to the Mod Help program on r/ModSupport has been mixed. Some questioned whether automating support requests would prevent interaction with real people. They also noted that the subreddit is intended for direct discussions with administrators , not other moderators.
Source: techcrunch.come
