What is CQS and how can I increase it ?

Reddit has introduced the Contributor Quality Score (CQS) to help everyone understand how trustworthy and valuable a user is on the platform.

For marketers, creators, and brands, this score now plays a key role in boosting visibility, building credibility, and supporting long-term growth on Reddit.

TL;DR: Reddit CQS

• CQS is Reddit's hidden reputation system. It rates accounts from "Lowest" to "Highest" based on behavior, security, and community engagement.
• Unlike karma, which tracks upvotes and downvotes, CQS evaluates trust and authenticity.
• A high score improves visibility and reduces the chance of content being filtered or accounts being flagged.
• A low score makes growth harder, with posts more likely to be auto-removed or ignored.
• To raise your CQS, you need consistent engagement, verified accounts, diverse participation, and authentic contributions over time.

What is the Contributor Quality Score (CQS)?

Every Reddit account carries a hidden metric called the Contributor Quality Score (CQS). Think of it as Reddit's version of a reputation index.

Instead of only looking at upvotes or account age, Reddit assigns users to one of five tiers:

CQS Tier	Description	Typical Signals	Impact
Lowest	Account is flagged as very risky or spam-like.	Brand new, unverified, posts removed, downvotes, suspicious IPs.	Posts often auto-removed, high risk of bans.
Low	Account shows limited trust but not fully flagged.	Few posts, little karma, weak engagement, inconsistent history.	Posts may get filtered in stricter subreddits.
Moderate	Average account with mixed signals.	Some karma, some verified signals, occasional good contributions.	Posts usually visible but may face delays in strict communities.
High	Trusted account with positive activity.	Verified email, strong karma history, diverse subreddit activity.	Posts bypass most filters, higher engagement rates.
Highest	Model Redditor-seen as highly reliable.	Consistently high-quality posts, strong engagement, long history.	Maximum visibility, posts quickly gain traction.

This tiering system assists Reddit in predicting whether an account will contribute positively or negatively to the community's overall quality.

How CQS differs from Karma

• Karma is public and simply adds up your upvotes and downvotes.
• CQS is private and more complex. It looks at deeper trust signals like security, account history, and engagement patterns.

For example:

• A new user who spams links may fall into the Lowest tier.
• A long-term Redditor with verified email and consistent positive participation could reach the High or Highest tier.

Reddit designed CQS to go beyond simple checks like account age and karma, helping to make it more difficult for spammers and trolls to get past the filters.

A Brief History of CQS

In 2023, Reddit introduced the Contributor Quality Score (CQS) to help improve moderation efforts.

Before CQS, many subreddits depended on simple filters like account age and karma levels. While easy to use, these checks sometimes accidentally kept out real users and didn't always catch spammers.

CQS was first tested quietly in early 2023, running in the background without most moderators knowing. By September 2023, Reddit officially announced it in r/ModNews under the title "Contributor Quality Score available to all communities!".

The results from testing were clear:

• Subreddits using CQS instead of karma/age checks reported fewer false positives (real users being wrongly filtered).
• Spam slipping through dropped significantly, with Reddit citing a 40% decrease in daily removals in pilot communities.
• Moderators needed to undo AutoModerator actions 43 percentage points less often when using CQS.

Since then, many major communities have enabled CQS-based filters, making it one of Reddit's most widely adopted moderation tools in a short time.

How does Reddit CQS work?

While Reddit hasn’t revealed the specific details of the CQS algorithm, they’ve shared that it incorporates various types of signals.

Think of it as a blend of trust signals, which reflect who you are, and behavior signals, which show what you do.

Key factors that influence CQS

1. Past account actions
   • History of bans, removals, or frequent reports lowers your score.
   • Consistently posting rule-abiding, well-received content raises it.
2. Account age and karma
   • CQS isn't just about karma, but Reddit uses karma alongside account history as part of the score.
   • Old accounts with steady engagement are more trusted than new, low-karma ones.
3. Engagement quality
   • Thoughtful comments and positive interactions help.
   • Mass posting, low-effort content, or upvote manipulation can harm your score.
4. Subreddit diversity
   • Accounts active across multiple communities appear more genuine.
   • Only posting in one niche subreddit (especially promotional ones) looks spammy.
5. Network and location signals
   • IP addresses, devices, and login patterns matter.
   • Using spam-linked IP ranges or suspicious networks lowers trust.
6. Account verification and security
   • Verified email and phone number boost credibility.
   • Accounts without verification are considered riskier.
7. Consistency and recency
   • CQS updates dynamically. Recent positive contributions help raise it, while recent negative behavior drags it down.
8. Private message interaction:
   • Some users have noticed that exchanging private messages with others may add to account trust, suggesting that one-on-one communication could be a minor positive factor.
9. Profile links and NSFW status
   • Accounts that add multiple external links or set their profile to NSFW too early may get flagged as spammy. Keeping your profile clean and natural helps avoid unnecessary penalties.

CQS rewards steady, authentic participation while punishing spam-like patterns. Unlike karma, which can be gamed, CQS tracks both how you behave and where you behave across Reddit.

Why does CQS matter?

For creators, marketers, and everyday Redditors, your Contributor Quality Score plays a direct role in how far your posts and comments can go.

1. Post visibility

Many subreddits now use CQS filters through AutoModerator, making the community experience smoother and fairer for everyone. If your score is in the lower tiers, your posts might be held for review or removed before they even get a chance to be seen.

But with a higher CQS, your content has a better chance of smoothly passing restrictions like minimum karma or account age requirements.

2. Content reach

Reddit's ranking systems tend to appreciate trusted contributors. Even if two posts are quite similar, one from a high-CQS account might stand out more, giving it a better chance to be seen.

This is why earning good scores can help your posts appear more frequently in subreddit "Hot" feeds or even reach the r/all page, making your contributions shine brighter.

3. Engagement quality

Accounts with low CQS often find it hard to get noticed because other users and moderators might see them as less reliable.

Having a high CQS helps to boost trust in your contributions, making others more likely to leave comments and upvotes, creating a positive cycle of engagement.

4. Account risk

Accounts that consistently have low CQS can be more prone to triggering Reddit's spam or suspension measures. If your activity is similar to that of spammers-such as posting en masse, breaking rules, or engaging in network abuse-you might face shadowbans or even permanent bans.

Let’s aim to keep your account in good standing by following the community guidelines!

CQS is essentially Reddit's way of protecting communities from low-quality or manipulative accounts. For those who want long-term results on Reddit, keeping a healthy CQS isn't optional-it's essential.

How to increase your CQS With Ease

Boosting your Contributor Quality Score is all about being genuine and consistently involved. When you participate sincerely, it helps build trust with Reddit's systems. Here are some of the best ways to improve and keep your score high:

1. Verify your account

• Confirm your email and, if possible, add a phone number.
• Verified accounts are automatically treated as more legitimate.

2. Prioritize comments over posts

• CQS seems to reward authentic conversation more than mass posting.
• Aim for a healthy ratio where you comment more often than you post.

3. Avoid negative signals

• Downvotes, frequent reports, and post removals hurt your score.
• Always follow subreddit rules and avoid controversial spamming tactics.

4. Diversify your activity

• Participate in multiple subreddits, not just the one you want to promote in.
• A balanced posting pattern shows you're a genuine Redditor.

5. Pace your posting

• Don't flood subreddits with back-to-back posts.
• Space out self-promotion and balance it with helpful contributions.

6. Earn karma naturally

• Contribute content people want to upvote.
• Accounts with at least a few thousand karma, especially comment karma, tend to fare better.

7. Stay consistent

• CQS updates based on recent activity.
• Even 10-15 minutes a day of authentic engagement helps keep your score healthy.

8. Avoid major pitfalls

• Don't buy upvotes or manipulate votes.
• Don't mass-delete content.
• Don't create throwaway accounts just for marketing pushes-these rarely last.

Think long-term. Reddit rewards patience and steady growth. If you focus on being a helpful, authentic participant, your CQS will reflect that-and your content will travel further.

Can you check your CQS?

Reddit does not make your Contributor Quality Score publicly visible. Unlike karma, you won't find it on your profile or in your account settings.

This is intentional as Reddit wants to make sure everyone plays fair and doesn’t get too caught up in the numbers.

• Users cannot see their own CQS.
• Moderators, however, can use CQS filters in AutoModerator to screen posts and comments.
• Reddit has no plans to make the score public.

Community workarounds

Redditors have built unofficial ways to estimate your tier.

For example:

Subreddits like r/WhatIsMyCQS run AutoModerator bots that reply with your CQS tier if you make a post there.

Why Reddit keeps it hidden

If CQS were made public, it might lead to some unwanted stigma. Seeing a "Low" label on someone's profile could make communities hesitant to give them a chance.

By keeping this information private, Reddit provides a safe space for users to improve without feeling judged, while also helping communities stay protected from spam.

You can try using community bots to get a rough estimate, but the most trustworthy way to gauge your standing is by seeing how easily your posts pass moderation. If your content frequently gets filtered, it’s a good sign that your score might be on the lower side.

What CQS means for Reddit creators

For creators and marketers, the rise of CQS shifts Reddit strategy from short-term hacks to long-term credibility building.

Two layers of quality now matter

• Content quality: Is your post helpful, engaging, or entertaining?
• Contributor quality: Does Reddit trust you as the source?

Even fantastic content might get overlooked if it originates from a low-CQS account. On the other hand, users with high-CQS often enjoy better engagement with similar posts.

Why this matters for creators

• Burner accounts don't work as well: Fresh accounts usually start with a low CQS, making them more likely to get filtered.
• Consistency pays off: Accounts that steadily contribute build "Reddit equity" over time.
• Authenticity wins: Redditors spot spam quickly. CQS reinforces what the community has always valued-genuine participation.

How to adapt

• Invest in a few accounts and grow them naturally instead of churning through throwaways.
• Treat each subreddit like its own community: learn its culture, comment often, and only share links when truly relevant.
• Expect CQS to evolve further. Reddit is moving toward machine learning systems that measure contributor trust at scale, so flexibility is key.

CQS not only filters out spam but also encourages the behaviors that truly foster a genuine reputation. For creators, it’s an encouraging reminder to focus on community-first strategies rather than chasing quick wins.

How buying Reddit accounts from redditupvote.net helps you increase CQS faster and easier

Starting from scratch on Reddit often means beginning with a low CQS. New accounts are unverified, have no history, and lack the engagement signals Reddit uses to measure trust. This makes it harder to get visibility, especially in subreddits that use CQS filters.

Buying aged, high-quality Reddit accounts from redditupvote.net gives you a head start.

Why new accounts struggle with CQS

• Fresh accounts begin in the "Low" or "Lowest" tier.
• Posts from these accounts often get filtered by AutoModerator.
• It takes months of consistent commenting and posting to build trust naturally.

How redditupvote.net accounts make it easier

• Pre-built trust: Our accounts are aged, verified, and come with established karma, which signals reliability to Reddit.
• Faster growth: Instead of waiting months to escape the low tiers, you can start with an account that already carries positive trust signals.
• Diverse history: Accounts are built with activity across multiple subreddits, reducing the risk of looking spammy.
• Less risk of filtering: Posts from higher-CQS accounts are less likely to be auto-removed, giving your content a better chance to gain traction.

By beginning with a trusted account, you avoid the frustrating early stage where each post might get flagged. This allows you to concentrate on creating quality content and fostering a vibrant community-without stressing over whether your posts will be seen.

Conclusion

Reddit's Contributor Quality Score (CQS) has become an important factor that creators and marketers should pay attention to. It quietly influences whether your content is seen, trusted, or filtered out, serving as a meaningful indicator of your presence on the platform. Unlike karma, CQS considers the broader picture-your history, behavior, and trust signals across Reddit, giving a more comprehensive view of your contributions.

For Reddit creators, this means:

• Shortcuts like burner accounts or vote manipulation are less effective.
• Long-term consistency, genuine engagement, and verified accounts are rewarded.
• Building "Reddit equity" matters just as much as crafting good content.

The key takeaway: CQS aligns with what Reddit has always valued-authentic contribution. If you approach the platform as a participant first and a promoter second, your score will naturally rise. That, in turn, gives your content the visibility and reach it deserves.

Stay adaptable, focus on quality participation, and Reddit will reward you with a stronger presence.