Reddit has launched its Contributor Program, sparking concerns among some users about the potential impact on the platform's culture. Under this program, eligible contributors can convert Reddit gold and karma into real money, with payments received monthly. However, this feature is currently limited to users in the United States who are over 18 years old and can verify their identity.
The program divides users into two tiers: contributors and top contributors. Contributors earn $0.90 for every gold received, while top contributors earn $1. To cash out, contributors must earn a minimum of 10 gold and accumulate between 100 and 4,999 karma over a 12-month period. Top contributors must surpass the 10 gold minimum and earn more than 5,000 karma over the same period.
Critics argue that this move could change Reddit's culture, where users traditionally shared content voluntarily. Reddit is also streamlining its gold system, allowing users to buy gold through a simplified process.