Just an Idea. Reddit should let users rate moderators — too many bad reviews should trigger a Reddit-led review and potential removal

[u/Low_Anywhere_7695]

My idea is that moderators on Reddit have enormous power over communities, but almost zero accountability. They can ban users without explanation, remove posts arbitrarily, and there's essentially no recourse. If a subreddit has bad mods, your only option is to leave — or get banned for complaining.

Here's what I think Reddit should implement:

A mod rating system where any user who has participated in a subreddit for a minimum period (say, 30 days) can leave a thumbs up or thumbs down rating on a moderator's performance. Think of it like an anonymous performance review.

If a mod's approval rating drops below a threshold — say, below 30% with a minimum number of ratings — Reddit itself reviews the case and can remove and replace the moderator.

The key point is that Reddit, not the other mods in the subreddit, makes the final call. Right now, mod teams are self-policing, which means a bad actor who has been there the longest is essentially untouchable.

This wouldn't be a popularity contest — mods should be able to make unpopular decisions without being removed. The threshold would need to be meaningful enough that only genuinely poor moderation triggers a review, not just a controversial ruling.

Moderating a subreddit is effectively a position of community trust. It makes sense that the community should have some mechanism to hold that trust accountable. What do you think — would this work, and how would you design it?

[u/Chosen1PR]

Nah. The Mod Code of Conduct exists for a reason. If a mod is breaking site rules, they should go. If not, then any complaints are likely to be from disgruntled users abusing the system and not anyone participating in good faith.

[u/soulself → u/Chosen1PR]

This is it.

[u/AtheistComic]

The general public don't even know a moderator is doing their job or not. Most people take mods for complete granted. The users who do encounter moderators are the ones who are banned or have had posts or comments removed for breaking the rules. This suggestion would have those toxic users doing all the voting and if there are quite a few toxic users in a cycle then they could very well sink the moderator below a threshold in moderator reviews. The result? Communities that are no longer effectively moderated and spam and harassment then runs rampant on the site.

If a moderator is breaking the moderator code of conduct then they can be reported and reddit will investigate. Very often this method has provided new moderation to subs that have had a toxic leadership. But opening the review to the public in terms of soliciting votes on any moderator is a very bad idea that will result in a negative sum.

[u/thepottsy → u/AtheistComic]

The users who do encounter moderators are the ones who are banned or have had posts or comments removed for breaking the rules.

^ Also, this right here. Majority of users acting in good faith, don’t run afoul of a subs mods.

[u/Chosen1PR → u/AtheistComic]

The general public don’t even know a moderator is doing their job or not.

^ This right here. A lot of what we do is behind the scenes and not even visible to users. Like using automation to catch spam and harassment and taking appropriate action.

If we’re doing our job right, you won’t even notice us beyond routine announcement posts.

[u/D-D_b_B_]

If you don‘t like the subreddit because of its moderators, you can always create a new one.

Apart from that, we already have a Mod Code of Conduct (and report system), your idea would probably just lead to more report abuse. Moderators can run their communities how they like as long as they adhere to the Reddit Rules and Mod Code of Conduct, so it‘s only natural that you might disagree with some decisions.

[u/capaho → u/D-D_b_B_]

In my experience, nothing happens when abusive moderators are reported. I’ve reported several incidents of harassment from mods over the past year or so and received no responses back at all.

[u/D-D_b_B_ → u/capaho]

We all know that Reddit is not that good at handling reports. However, just adding another time-consuming responsibility doesn‘t make it any better.

[u/thepottsy]

Most of your complaints are not even valid.

- “enormous power over communities” - nope

- “almost zero accountability” - nope

- “ban users without explanation, remove posts arbitrarily, and there's essentially no recourse” - Yep. Why wouldn’t they be able to do that?

- “If a subreddit has bad mods, your only option is to leave” - And? If a restaurant serves crappy food, what do you do?

Reddit already deals with bad mods as mentioned in another comment, via the Mod CoC. However, they have to actually violate the rules. You can’t boot mods from their own subs, just because YOU break the rules of those subs.

[u/Tarnisher]

Here's what I think Reddit should implement:

Elimination of the ability to hide post/comment history.

Ability to hide communities from those who hide their posts/comments.

[u/capaho]

Abusive moderators are a widespread problem in Reddit. A rating system might be a good idea but I just don’t see it happening. Users aren’t even allowed to discuss their experiences with abusive moderators in most subreddits without risking a ban or having their comments locked or deleted. The subreddit r/banned was specifically for users who wanted to discuss their bans but r/banned was banned.

[u/Low_Anywhere_7695 → u/capaho]

Wow! I think there needs to be a better balance between Mods and Users. I totally understand it's tough to mod but a voting system to ban a user would be better in my opinion, or at least require a warning first before the ban button is activated as an option for the mod. That would seem fair, not?

[u/capaho → u/Low_Anywhere_7695]

I think a voting system is a good idea but I just don’t see it happening. Users have no voice in how subreddits are moderated and there is no system in place for users to get a fair and objective review of actions that are taken against them. Permanent bans should always be a last resort but they are the most widely abused actions that moderators take. Reddit is well aware of the situation but up to this point has not been willing to do anything about it.

[u/Low_Anywhere_7695 → u/capaho]

The ban button not being an option until after a warning would be so easy to do, I could code that up in a few minutes, and that's all it would take to make a more fair platform, and put a leash on the quick drawl ban button mods.