Adding Downvotes to Posts / Comments

Downvotes affect ranking and visibility, not just the visible score. How strong they are depends heavily on timing.

If the post or comment is less than 24 hours old

• Downvotes have full strength.

• They can push a comment down the thread.

• If added early enough, Reddit can collapse the comment, hiding it by default.

This is when downvotes are the most effective.

If the post or comment is more than 24 hours old

• Downvotes often do not show visually on Reddit’s frontend.

• Downvotes still lower Reddit’s internal ranking, which reduces visibility and can push the comment lower.

However, vote power after 24 hours is much weaker compared to the first 24-hour window. Downvotes still work, but their impact is significantly reduced.

Important visual behavior

• Buying downvotes usually does not change the visible upvote/downvote ratio.

• Upvotes visibly increase scores.

• Downvotes mostly work silently, especially after 24 hours.

Summary:

Downvotes are strongest within the first 24 hours. Early downvotes can collapse comments and push them to the bottom. After 24 hours, downvotes are weaker and usually invisible, but they still reduce internal ranking and visibility.