okay I literally just saw someone else post about this while I was thinking of saying something so I’m gonna make a full post
hey friends!! there’s lots of terms I use in my rules that are all parts of rp etiquette, but lemme talk about one that not everyone may be familiar with: reblog karma. for those of you who don’t know what that word means, it’s pretty simple: you want to reblog a meme from someone? then send something to them first.
it’s sort of like… an rp pay-it-forward. now, let me clarify something: saying people must practice reblog karma with you is abusing the term. that’s like the opposite of paying it forward, okay? you can’t tell people that they have to pay it forward to you. but if you want it to happen to you, you should always set a good example by practicing it yourself.
have you ever found an rp meme from a meme source, gotten excited about it, only to have 5ish people reblog it from you and they start getting stuff, while you get nothing yourself? that feels awful! so, if you know how it feels, start enforcing reblog karma in your own behavior, spread the word about positive reblog karma (paying it forward!) and send memes to as many people as you can manage, whether or not you are going to reblog it from them!
now, here’s some questions I always hear:
1. but what if it’s a meme for an established relationship or awkward with my character, and I don’t have any background with their character?
you have two options, then. a) send the meme on anon, if possible, or b) don’t reblog it from that person. either go to the meme source if it is still available, or send a bit of it to someone else who has reblogged it that you do have an established relationship with, and then reblog it from that person.
2. doesn’t that put a lot of unnecessary anxiety on others?
that’s why you need to look at it as a modification of your own behavior, not anything you can do about anyone else’s. ask politely that people please practice reblog karma with you whenever possible, and always make sure to set a model by practicing it yourself. if it makes you too anxious to send a meme to someone, refer back to the solutions on question 1.
3. what if it’s a non-mutual, and they don’t accept memes from non-mutuals?
again, look at solutions a) and b) under question 1. if it’s a symbol meme, like one where you send in a sign for different headcanon prompts—almost always, people are willing to do it whether or not you’re mutuals, whether or not you’re on or off anon.
4. but sometimes I’m uncomfortable sending stuff like that.
and people who reblog memes and get nothing in response, only to have plenty of others reblog it from them, feel pretty awful when that happens. most people will refer to this as “being treated like a meme source”, and that’s what it genuinely feels like!! reblog karma should never be used as a strict rule: it should be used to spread positivity and community engagement. go above and beyond for reblog karma: if you really like a meme, send it to multiple people who have reblogged it.
getting engaged. communicating with others. having fun. that’s what memes are all about in the first place!!
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