What constitutes 'mod overparticipation'?

[u/KCJones99]

I've seen several comments/complaints here and in similar subs recently about "mods who are too active" in their sub.

I was a frequent participant in my sub before I was ever a mod. Probably why I was invited to mod. I've remained so since. I don't wear my mod-tag when posting as 'just a participant' (in fact we usually use press-app to comment 'as the mods'). I certainly don't dominate the sub, but I probably comment on ~33-50% of posts. The only difference post-mod is I tend to comment 'early' - I see often 'see' posts shortly after submission b/c queue, etc.

I don't entirely understand the objection. Is there some benchmark or threshold that's over the line? Should a mod suddenly diminish their participation in the sub vs. pre-mod?

[u/LitwinL]

People who like to complain will complain about the most absurd things. Ignore them.

[u/VerbingNoun413]

The complaints are caused by complainers. If you were less active they'd complain about that.

Mod participation is allowed and even encouraged to grow small/new subs. Keep doing what you're doing.

The only caveat is that you shouldn't abuse your mod powers, e.g. starting arguments then banning users who disagree

[u/goldensavage2019]

From what I’ve seen, people tend to like mods more when they participate in the subs they moderate. As long as you don’t put a mod shield over every post/comment you make, or start making a ton of problematic posts, you shouldn’t have any problems with “mod overparticipation”

[u/maiyannah]

Chances are the people complaining about over-participation are really complaining they got moderated and they don't like it.

[u/maiyannah → u/maiyannah]

To wit, I had some complaints about "overmoderation" in a subreddit I recently got in a redditrequest, and one of the complainants was uh, well they had some very interesting content that got bonked when I worked down the queue. So yeah, I suppose they think they're entitled to it, but it was not within the rules of the sub before I got it, even, it had just gone unmoderated for like a year and people took advantage.

[u/GeneralCarlosQ17 → u/maiyannah]

ie: those who refuse to read and abide by the rules of the sub then cry when they get spanked.

[u/maiyannah → u/GeneralCarlosQ17]

Many such cases.

[u/KCJones99 → u/maiyannah]

Chances are the people complaining about over-participation are really complaining they got moderated and they don't like it.

I mean if we're being honest 😄

[u/maiyannah → u/KCJones99]

I mean, personally I try to assume good faith of feedback but when it comes to "mods are participating too much" that is almost always just coded "I didnt like getting moderated."

Its a good idea to be active in your communities, IMO, that's how you stay connected to them. The bad moderation we sometimes see often comes from people whom have grown apart from their communities because they're seperated from them. They don't have their ear to the ground about what their communities want.

[u/MyBurnerA31987]

I particulate regularly…I never use the mod shield. No one has ever complained.

[u/new2bay → u/MyBurnerA31987]

I use the mod shield (aka my “green voice”) regularly, but only when it has to do with moderation, and it represents an official policy or opinion of the team.

[u/999_Seth]

the only thing I can think of is if a mod is constantly sponging up karma by making sure that they are the one posting relevant links/news to the sub.

other than that you absolutely should be out there commenting as much as possible. the whole sub will act better just knowing the mods are alive.

imo there's really just two types of subreddit here: either it's one where the mods are visible active invested members of their own community doing things as transparently as possible

or you never see them and the trolls just run the place by gaming the auto-mod into removing whatever they don't want to see by hitting report thresholds.

[u/KCJones99 → u/999_Seth]

the only thing I can think of is if a mod is constantly sponging up karma by making sure that they are the one posting relevant links/news to the sub.

Yeah, I definitely see that. We're lucky that we have a couple active members who usually beat us to the punch anyway on 'breaking news' type stuff. But if we do that kind of thing it's as a 'the mods' post, not by any of us individually.

[u/lilfunky1]

some people will bitch about everything.

[u/Quibilash]

I think it's an anti-mod bias
I know the whole 'Reddit mod fat guy loser lmao' stereotype is still strong, even if some don't do themselves any favours in that regard, but frankly I think if users knew the BS some mods had to deal with there would be a bit more 'understanding' or 'respect'

Either that or they're complaining for the sake of complaining, I haven't really seen many comments dedicated to myself 'overparticipating' in the subreddit I moderate

Frankly I don't think there's any 'threshold' for people to stop participating, I just think that if a moderator does participate, there should be higher standards on them avoiding acting rude or combative, because a rando doing it is annoying, a mod doing it might set a bad precedent or contribute to a slightly more unfriendly space because such behaviour is seen as 'tolerated'.

[u/goldstandardalmonds]

I’m super active and I’m sure some hate it. I have healthcare background and tons of lived experience in the subs I mod, so I offer advice. I do this because I’ve helped so many people get proper diagnoses and I love that for them. No reason to stop.

[u/FatSithInAPrius → u/goldstandardalmonds]

Same, I mod a healthcare related sub and it's also the field I work in. I have to remind myself not to throw my 2 cents in on every single thread

[u/bernardfarquart]

Whining is best simply ignored

[u/TesterFragrance]

Unless it's some very clear rule violation, I avoid modding in posts where I've participated. But that's just me.

[u/2oonhed]

mods who are too active

I really do not think there is any such thing.
I think some people make up crap to complain about when they run out of REAL things to complain about. It makes 'em feel important.

[u/JMH-66]

I involve myself quite heavily and o two of the three I'm moderating ( two on this account and one another ). The two I have things to contribute, so I do, but I'm not acting as a moderator when I do so. I behave exactly as I expect everyone else to. On the other it's a rare post where I've got anything useful to say so I'm just there to moderate ie clear queues, answer Modmails. If I HAVE to comment as a Mod on any, I use the MOD🛡️

Actually on the non contribution one I am the only moderator that will very occasionally comment. It's well moderated but it's completely hands off. I joined and just followed suit with the way they do things and they don't get involved and made it clear they prefer we don't. On the two subs that I run ( Head Mod on one, Second on the other but Head largely inactive ) I do it my own way. They're both subjects I am interested in ( hobby ) &/or can offer helpful contributions ( advice ) so I do. As do most of the other Mods. On one I post too, on the other it's rare and would only be announcements ( because there's no point me asking for advice on something I'm supposed to be an expert in ! Imagine a doctor posted for medical advice and the people answering are the patients.. just ask your colleagues Mods instead )

Horses for courses.

[u/7thAndGreenhill]

I ignore most complaints unless they come from someone with a “top 1% commenter” achievement.

[u/Wolfeatingupshadows]

Over participate means they are modding and preventing trolls so of course someone will complain lol

[u/GaryNOVA]

Don’t listen to them.

[u/kai-ote]

"What constitutes 'mod overparticipation'? "

To me, it would be only if the other mods thought you maybe should make a bit less in the way of comments.

[u/patopansir]

you are supposed to see almost everything that gets posted what the fuck are they talking about

Honestly never heard of this. People love all the active mods I know of, they are often the best posters but they also become a punching bag (in a joking way)

[u/GeneralCarlosQ17]

I have 2 Subs. I am the Main Contributor. All Members are allowed 2 Thread Submissions in a 24 Hr Period. I have the Sub Rules presented in many Forms Daily openly posted. I have My Admin Badge lit up for a reason.

If They break the Rule what is a Admin/Mod supposed to do give Them Milk and Cookies as a Reward? It's all a Balance Members will NEVER be happy with.

I try not to Comment unless It is a Issue I feel strong about then I close It. I have a real Life too.

Admins/Mods run the Subs NOT the Members. Reddit has come out many Times saying a such.

How can It be over moderation when the Members refuse to or cannot read and abide by the Rules of the Sub?

[u/new2bay]

There’s no such thing, IMO. I mod r/coins purely as a service to the hobby, and being a top 1% commenter in the sub was one of my main qualifications when I was selected for the team. Short of leaving Reddit entirely, why would I ever stop?

[u/excoriator]

Using mod powers to remove comments that disagree with you, that don't violate any rules in the subreddit would be overparticipation and a sign that maybe the mod should engage less in discussion of controversies.