How to Check Reddit CQS & Improve It

Reddit is known for its tight-knit communities and strict posting rules. In an effort to reduce spam and ensure quality content, Reddit introduced a metric called the Contributor Quality Score (CQS).

Whether you’re a marketer aiming to reach niche audiences or a regular user wanting to stay active across subreddits, understanding how this score works is essential.

What Is the Contributor Quality Score (CQS)?

Reddit’s Contributor Quality Score is a behind-the-scenes classification system that ranks users based on the quality of their contributions. It replaces the old reliance on karma and account age as the main filters for participation rights across subreddits.

CQS is designed to evaluate how trustworthy and valuable a user’s activity is. Unlike karma, which can be manipulated through upvotes on low-effort posts, CQS looks deeper into behavior patterns.

This includes:

• How often you comment vs. post
• Whether you engage in genuine conversations
• If you exhibit spam-like behavior
• How consistent your activity is

Reddit uses this score to determine who can post or comment in certain communities, even if they have high karma or an old account.

CQS Tiers

Reddit categorizes users into five different CQS tiers:

• Lowest: Typically new accounts or those with minimal activity and unverified credentials.
• Low: Basic verified accounts that still have limited access to certain subreddits.
• Moderate: Accounts considered generally trustworthy but not fully unrestricted.
• High: Recognized contributors with few limitations.
• Highest: Top-tier accounts with full posting privileges and minimal moderation friction.

These levels are not fixed. Reddit updates your CQS frequently based on your current behavior and contribution quality.

Why Reddit Created the Contributor Quality Score

Reddit’s decision to launch the Contributor Quality Score (CQS) came from the need to fight low-quality content and spam. The platform had long struggled with bots, karma farming, and manipulative behavior from marketers and bad actors.

Karma Farming Exploits

Before CQS, users could exploit Reddit’s system by building karma in low-effort subreddits. These “karma farmers” would:

• Post generic content in high-traffic but lightly moderated communities
• Accumulate karma quickly without adding real value
• Use aged accounts to promote products in valuable subreddits later

This loophole was used by spammers and marketers to sneak past subreddit posting rules that relied on karma and account age.

Reddit’s New Anti-Spam Goals

CQS was introduced to make manipulation more difficult. The system places more weight on user behavior than on karma points or how long an account has existed.

Key goals of CQS include:

• Reducing spam and self-promotion
• Promoting genuine conversation
• Improving content quality
• Protecting communities from bots and fake accounts

Now, even users with high karma can be blocked from posting if their CQS is low, which pushes everyone to participate in a more meaningful way.

How Reddit Calculates Your CQS

Reddit has not revealed the full details of how it calculates the Contributor Quality Score, but patterns observed across accounts and communities point to several consistent factors.

This section breaks down the key elements Reddit likely uses to score users and adjust their CQS level.

Key Factors Affecting Your Score

Several behaviors and account settings appear to influence your CQS, either positively or negatively.

Account Security

Accounts with verified emails, phone numbers, and two-factor authentication are typically seen as more trustworthy. Although this doesn’t guarantee a high score, unverified or unsecured accounts are often rated lower.

Karma Quality

Reddit still looks at karma, but it now focuses more on how you earn it:

• Low-effort posts or karma farming can reduce your score
• Earning karma from comments is often viewed more favorably
• Diversity in where and how you gain karma helps build trust

User Behavior

Certain behaviors are red flags for Reddit’s automated systems:

• Frequent self-promotion
• Posting the same content across multiple subreddits
• Leaving one-word comments or spamming
• Using bots or fake engagement tools

These actions may signal spammy intent and push your CQS down.

Community Engagement

Reddit values users who participate in conversations and add value. Some ways to boost engagement metrics:

• Leave meaningful comments
• Reply to others and continue discussions
• Avoid hit-and-run posts that get no follow-up

Accounts that focus on discussion rather than just self-promotion usually perform better in CQS evaluations.

How to Check Your CQS Score

Reddit does not display your Contributor Quality Score directly in your account dashboard. However, there is a practical way to check your current CQS using a community tool.

Step-by-Step Guide Using r/whatismyCQS

Reddit users can post in the subreddit r/whatismyCQS to trigger an automated bot that responds with your score.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to r/whatismyCQS.
2. Click “Create Post.”
3. Use a short title like “Test” or “Checking my CQS.”
4. Type a simple message in the post body. “Test” or “Just checking” works fine.
5. Submit the post.

Within a few minutes, a bot will comment on your post with your current CQS tier.

CQS Ratings Explained

The response will include one of the five CQS ratings:

• Lowest: Your account is likely new or unverified. Verifying your email may improve the score.
• Low: You have limited access to some subreddits. More engagement can help raise your score.
• Moderate: You’re in good standing, but there’s still room to improve.
• High: Reddit sees your account as trustworthy, with minimal restrictions.
• Highest: Your account is fully trusted and can engage freely across subreddits.

The bot may also give general advice on improving your score, based on your current behavior.

Ways to Improve Your Contributor Quality Score

Improving your CQS requires more than just posting frequently. Reddit values meaningful contributions and consistency over time. This section covers proven methods to raise your score and stay off Reddit’s spam radar.

Comment More, Post Less

Commenting appears to be one of the most effective ways to boost your CQS.

• Comments often carry more weight than posts
• Engaging in conversations signals authentic behavior
• Thoughtful responses help demonstrate credibility

Avoid short or spam-like comments. Instead, add context, share relevant opinions, and contribute to discussions.

Avoid Excessive Actions

Spamming posts, mass upvoting, or using multiple accounts can hurt your score. Reddit may flag such actions as artificial engagement.

• Don’t post too often in a short period
• Limit excessive upvotes, especially if aimed at your own content
• Avoid using bots or coordinated vote patterns

It’s better to post occasionally and focus on high-quality engagement than to flood subreddits with low-effort content.

Secure Your Account

Even if account security isn’t a major factor, insecure accounts are more likely to be flagged.

Steps to secure your account:

• Verify your email address
• Enable two-factor authentication
• Avoid logging in from suspicious networks or devices

A secure account reduces the chances of being penalized by Reddit’s automated systems.

Maintain Long-Term Activity

CQS reflects your behavior over time, not just recent posts.

• Spread your activity over weeks and months
• Don’t rely on short bursts of engagement
• Stay active in communities without self-promotion

Reddit rewards consistent, genuine participation. If you’re building an account for marketing or community use, begin early and contribute regularly before promoting any content.

Reddit Marketing with CQS in Mind

For marketers, Reddit’s CQS system presents both a challenge and an opportunity. To promote content without getting flagged, you need to work within the system, not around it. Understanding CQS helps marketers build credibility and gain visibility without triggering filters.

Ethical Karma Farming

Old marketing tactics focused on farming karma through low-effort posts. With CQS in play, that approach no longer works.

• Post useful, original content in popular subreddits
• Reply to comments and engage in discussions
• Avoid reposting the same material across multiple communities

Build karma the right way—through consistent and meaningful participation.

Avoid Mass Promotions

Reddit’s algorithm can detect when the same content is posted in multiple subreddits or accounts.

• Don’t share identical links or messages across several communities
• Space out promotional posts to avoid appearing spammy
• Choose subreddits where your content is highly relevant

Posting too aggressively in a short period can lower your CQS and get you restricted from key subreddits.

Balance Posts and Comments

Posting alone won’t help your score, especially if it lacks engagement. Reddit favors users who interact more than they self-promote.

• For every promotional post, leave several genuine comments
• Mix your activity between sharing content and participating in threads
• Respond to questions and feedback on your posts

This balance shows that you’re part of the community—not just there to market.

Regular Score Monitoring

Since Reddit doesn’t show your CQS in your profile, you’ll need to check it manually.

• Use r/whatismyCQS regularly to see if your efforts are working
• If your score drops, scale back promotions and focus on commenting
• Monitor your results and adjust your strategy accordingly

Consistent checking helps you fine-tune your marketing approach and avoid penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions About CQS

This section addresses some of the most common questions users and marketers have about Reddit’s Contributor Quality Score.

Conclusion

Reddit’s Contributor Quality Score is now a key factor in how the platform filters content and evaluates users. Whether you’re using Reddit for marketing or personal engagement, understanding CQS is essential to maintaining visibility and staying active in relevant subreddits.

To stay in good standing:

• Avoid spammy behavior
• Focus on comments over posts
• Secure your account
• Contribute consistently across different communities

By aligning your activity with Reddit’s expectations, you can gradually raise your CQS and gain more trust from both users and subreddit moderators.

CQS is here to stay. The sooner you adapt your strategy, the more effective and sustainable your presence on Reddit will be.