upvote

An upvote is a user-provided signal of approval used on many online discussion and knowledge-sharing platforms. It is typically represented by an upward-pointing arrow or similar icon and is cast by users who judge a post or comment to be valuable, accurate, or relevant.

Upvotes affect how content is ranked and who sees it. In many systems, the net score (upvotes minus downvotes) influences visibility in feeds or search results. Some platforms tie upvotes to reputation or points awarded to the author, providing a tangible incentive for quality contributions. For example, Reddit uses upvotes to determine a post's score and its likelihood of appearing to more users, while Stack Exchange sites grant reputation to authors when their posts are upvoted.

Administration and safeguards: Voting typically requires a user account and may be subject to limits to prevent rapid or automated voting. Most platforms allow users to downvote as a form of negative feedback, though the mechanics and consequences vary. To counteract abuse, systems may detect and mitigate coordinated voting, sock puppet accounts, or manipulation attempts.

Impact and considerations: Upvotes aim to reward useful content and help others identify high-quality contributions. They influence community reputation and the perceived credibility of content, but can also reflect popularity rather than accuracy and may be gamed under certain circumstances.