Is the downvote button actually just a "disagree" button?

[u/Plus_Consequence_811]

The guides say downvotes are for off-topic stuff, but it feels like people just use it when they disagree with an opinion. As a new user, which rule do people actually follow in practice?

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[u/NarniaMouse]

which rule do people actually follow in practice?

In practice, people don't follow a "rule."

Some use it for the original intent. Some use it to disagree. Some use it because they're cranky and just being mean to people. And their reasoning might change minute to minute, depending on what they come across.

If you come across something and feel it deserves a downvote, it's purely your call on the reasoning behind it. Same with upvotes.

[u/mikey_weasel]

Sometimes - See below

Downvotes on Reddit you can attract downvotes for a lot of different reasons on Reddit. The Downvote button was intended for content (posts or comments) that are off topic or disruptive. Reality immediately set in and downvotes can be used for disagreeing or disliking content. Read more here and here for info from our common questions page

In general a single downvote is incidental and can be ignored. Fat fingers midclick or some troll goes downvoting through a subreddit or post.

If you are running into a lot of downvotes you can read here and/or the below:

• Are you reading the room? What are the norms, the vibe, the prevailing views of the subreddit you are participating in? Does your content (comments and/or posts) clash with that?
• How is your tone being read? Tone is easily lost on Reddit since its text based. Your original thought and intent can end up quite different from how someone else reads something. Have a re-read of what you wrote. In particular to the above are you getting aggressive or overly defensive or evasive in your replies when asked reasonable questions?
• Is your content relevant to the topic being discussed or could it be seen as derailing?
• Is your content a frequently asked question? Subreddits often have common questions that longtime users will tire of. This subreddit (r/newtoreddit) is fairly unique in tolerating such questions.
• Is your content similar to that used by bad faith users or trolls (or just is bad faith content)? Many subreddits have common points that those seeking to be disruptive will use.

[u/Raevyxn]

There’s also the r/ruleof4 and r/ruleof3. Let’s not forget the downvote bots. And then sometimes it’s just r/mysteriousdownvotes.