How karma works

Karma isn't a score. It's a trust signal.

It tells the site and other people that you've been here a while and use it honestly.

New in town? Start with how the site works →

Why karma exists

Karma protects quality. It tells regulars apart from accounts created an hour ago. Features unlock gradually to prevent abuse rather than to gatekeep.

FIG. 01

NewUser42 SINCE THIS MORNING 12 karma

CastleRock SINCE 2019 8,540 karma

no name yet SINCE 9:41 AM 0 karma

SAME SITE. SAME FEATURES. TIME TELLS THEM APART.

“It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage.”

How karma grows

Karma, for lack of a better word, is good. It grows through normal use. There's no trick to it.

Reacting to a movie
Finishing a full review
Returning consistently
Having reviews found useful

Posting a pile of reviews in one day doesn't pay. The first is worth the most.

FIG. 02

RECENT ACTIVITY

Quick reaction · Drive 2011 TODAY +3

Returned to site TODAY +1

Published a full review · Manhunter 1986 YESTERDAY +8

Review found useful · Taxi Driver 1976 YESTERDAY +1

Drive 2011 crossed 10 helpful votes 2 DAYS AGO +25

Quote quiz, first correct answer ONCE 3 DAYS AGO +30

Review of the week · Blade Runner 1982 5 DAYS AGO +50

Review removed for spam · Heat 1995 LAST MONTH −25

“A quick reaction is the trailer. A finished review is the feature. Trailers still count.”

What karma unlocks

6 tiers by karma. New abilities arrive quietly as you climb.

FIG. 03

Viewer 0 Take your seat. The whole show works from day one.

Fan 10 The usher knows your name.

Buff 30 You can mark up the program.

Reviewer 80 You're a contender now.

Trusted Reviewer 200 The room trusts your taste.

Critic 400 You've got keys to the booth.

“Nothing essential is locked. The ticket covers the whole show.”

What karma does not do

No leaderboards
No public rankings
You are never penalized for opinions
It cannot be lost through normal use
It cannot be bought or traded

FIG. 04

TOP REVIEWERS THIS WEEK

THIS DOESN'T EXIST

“There can't be only one.”

Visibility

On your profile karma is a number. Next to reviews it shows up as a tier name. The small shield marks a Trusted Reviewer. It's context. Not a badge.

FIG. 05

9.2/10 🤩 Loved it

🤯 Mind-blown 😎 Badass

velvet_static 2 days ago · Trusted Reviewer

the number stays on your profile. only the tier travels.

“Pay no attention to the number behind the curtain.”

That's it

Use the site normally. Karma grows on its own. Nothing to optimize. Nothing to grind.

GO WATCH SOMETHING

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