Forty hours a week. No pay. Enforcing rules in communities they don't own, for people who mostly hate them. When they screw up, they're publicly crucified. When they do well, no one notices.
Why would anyone do this?
The question isn’t whether these people are “power-tripping.” The question is: what psychological need compels someone to govern the internet for free?
The Four Types Who Run Online Spaces
Type 1 (The Perfectionist) corrects wrongness. They fix rule violations. Risk: rigid authoritarianism.
Type 5 (The Systems Builder) organizes chaos. They fix inefficient processes. Risk: disconnection from community.
Type 6 (The Protector) secures the community. They neutralize threats and bad actors. Risk: paranoid overreach.
Type 8 (The Sheriff) confronts wrongdoers. They remove trolls and harassers. Risk: excessive force.
Why these four and not others? Type 2s (Helpers) occasionally start moderating but burn out fast. They need visible appreciation. Moderation is thankless by design. Type 3s need status and external validation. Moderation offers no career advancement, no titles, no measurable wins.
Before we decode each type, let’s acknowledge what critics get right.
What the Critics Get Right
If you’ve ever had a post removed for a technicality, been banned without explanation, or watched a mod go on a power trip, your frustration is valid.
Power without accountability. Reddit mods can ban users, remove content, and shape discourse with zero oversight. No performance review, no appeals process that works, no consequences for abuse.
Inconsistent enforcement. “Rule 4 violation” on one post gets removed; an identical post stays up because the mod didn’t see it or likes that user. Type 1 mods want consistency, but human moderation is inherently inconsistent.
Echo chamber creation. Mods shape communities in their image. Type 1 mods enforce their definition of “quality.” Type 6 mods remove anyone they perceive as a threat. Communities become mirrors of mod psychology.
The concentration problem. The 2023 Reddit blackout revealed that a tiny number of users controlled massive portions of the site. Many power mods run dozens of subreddits simultaneously. That concentration of unpaid labor in specific personality types creates systemic vulnerability.
Here’s what the critics miss: understanding mod psychology doesn’t excuse abuse. It explains it. And explanation is the first step toward better systems.
Why Type 1s Dominate Online Moderation
Type 1s feel genuine discomfort when their internal standards are violated. They can’t scroll past a rule violation without feeling compelled to act. The wrongness sits there, bothering them, until it’s corrected.
Moderation satisfies every Type 1 need: remove rule-breaking content (fix wrongness), enforce community guidelines (uphold standards), structure chaotic spaces (create order), protect the community (moral purpose), shape culture (control environment).
What others see: Power-tripping mod who removes posts for minor violations.
What the Type 1 experiences: “This clearly violates rule 3. It’s wrong. I have to fix it. If I don’t, the community degrades. Standards matter. Rules exist for reasons.”
Type 1 mods aren’t cruel. They’re principled. The problem is that their principles may be stricter than the community wants, and their correction impulse overrides relationship concerns.
The Other Types Who Moderate
Type 6: The Community Protector
Type 6s moderate to protect. Scanning for danger is their default mode, and moderation gives them tools to neutralize threats.
Type 6 mods are hypervigilant about trolls. They’re quick to identify “sus” users. They build relationships with trusted community members and maintain mental lists of problematic ones. They may seem paranoid about coordinated attacks because they’re always gaming out worst-case scenarios.
The key difference from Type 1: Type 6 mods ask “is this person dangerous?” not “did this violate rule 4?”
Type 5: The Systems Builder
Type 5s moderate because they enjoy building efficient systems, not because they care about individual rule violations.
Type 5 mods create elaborate AutoMod configurations. They document everything meticulously. They prefer backend work to user interaction and may disappear for weeks, then return with system improvements. They get frustrated when emotional issues override their logical solutions.
Type 5 mods are invisible infrastructure builders. They want systems that make moderation unnecessary.
Type 8: The Sheriff
Type 8s moderate because they enjoy confronting wrongdoers directly. They won’t be bullied by trolls. They like having the power to protect their community.
Type 8 mods are direct and forceful. They enjoy banning trolls. They defend decisions without apologizing. They may be accused of being too harsh because they’re less interested in rules for rules’ sake and more interested in removing people who deserve removal.
The Wikipedia Parallel
Reddit mods aren’t unique. The same personality patterns govern Wikipedia.
The 1% Who Build the Encyclopedia
Purdue research found that 1% of Wikipedia’s editors generated 77% of the site’s content. Even more extreme: 0.1% of the community (about 4,200 editors) produced 44% of all value.
Jimmy Wales confirmed it: “Over 50% of all the edits are done by just 0.7% of the users… 524 people.”
These aren’t random people. They’re specific personality types:
The Corrector (Type 1): “This is wrong. I must fix it.” Fixes errors, enforces citation standards, reverts vandalism.
The Cataloguer (Type 5): “I want to document everything about this topic.” Writes comprehensive articles, organizes categories, builds reference systems.
The Guardian (Type 6): “This information could mislead people.” Monitors controversial pages, flags misinformation, protects article integrity.
The Correction Compulsion
Type 1 Wikipedia editors can’t read an article with a typo without fixing it. They see a “citation needed” tag and feel discomfort until they’ve sourced it.
“I just came here to look something up. Three hours later, I’ve corrected 47 articles and started an edit war about comma usage.”
Wrong information is wrong. Leaving errors is irresponsible.
Type 5s are different. They don’t care about correcting errors. They care about comprehensive understanding. A Type 5 will spend months writing the definitive article on an obscure topic. Not because it’s wrong, but because it’s incomplete. Their motivation is intellectual, not moral.
The Pattern
The internet is governed by personality type, not democracy.
Wikipedia isn’t maintained by “the crowd.” It’s maintained by a tiny number of Type 1s and Type 5s who can’t stop themselves from doing the work. Reddit isn’t moderated by “the community.” It’s moderated by Type 1s, 5s, 6s, and 8s whose psychological needs are met by the role.
This explains platform culture. Why certain platforms feel strict (Type 1 dominated). Why certain communities feel paranoid (Type 6 dominated). Why certain forums have elaborate systems but cold atmospheres (Type 5 dominated). Why certain spaces feel confrontational (Type 8 dominated).
The personality of the governors becomes the personality of the governed.
When Mod Types Clash
Most mod drama isn’t about the issue. It’s about clashing psychological approaches.
Type 1 vs Type 8: Process vs. Instinct
Type 1: “We need to follow the rules as written. User X violated rule 3.2.1, subsection B.”
Type 8: “User X is clearly a problem. Ban them. Why are we debating this?”
Type 1: “Because rules provide consistency and fairness.”
Type 8: “Rules are guidelines. Use judgment.”
Both want the same outcome. They disagree on methodology. In subreddits with Type 1 head mods and Type 8 enforcers, you’ll see elaborate rule systems that the Type 8s ignore in practice. The Type 1 creates 47 rules; the Type 8 bans people based on vibes.
Type 6 vs Type 5: Intuition vs. Evidence
Type 6: “I’m concerned about this coordinated brigade from another subreddit.”
Type 5: “The data doesn’t support that conclusion. These are organic users with similar interests.”
Type 6: “Something feels wrong.”
Type 5: “Feelings aren’t data.”
Type 6 operates on intuitive threat detection. Type 5 requires evidence. Both approaches have value. They frustrate each other constantly.
When Mod Teams Implode
The r/WallStreetBets Coup (2021): During the GameStop frenzy, inactive moderators returned seeking movie and book deals. Active mod u/zjz posted “r/wallstreetbets will die soon unless the admins save us.” Reddit had to intervene. Pattern: those who do the work vs. those who hold the title.
The r/Art Mass Resignation (2025): An artist was permanently banned for mentioning “prints.” Users rallied, mass-spamming the word in protest. Moderators posted “You win. We all resign.” One former admin alleged the head mod “kicked his 13 co-moderators out” unilaterally. Pattern: single mod with disproportionate power vs. team consensus.
AMAgeddon (2015): Reddit fired Victoria Taylor, the key liaison for r/IAmA, without warning. Within 24 hours, 1,400+ subreddits went private. Core grievance: “There is a feeling among many of the moderators of reddit that the admins do not respect the work that is put in by the thousands of unpaid volunteers.”
The collapse stages are predictable. Honeymoon (different types complement each other). Friction (Type 1 thinks Type 8 is too harsh, Type 5 thinks Type 6 is paranoid). Factions (“process people” vs. “action people”). Trigger event (a decision forces everyone to take sides). Purge or exodus (someone leaves or is removed, community suffers).
Why Reddit Specifically
Reddit’s structure attracts these types. Subreddit autonomy appeals to Type 1’s desire for their own ordered space. Rule customization satisfies their need for clear standards. The voting system provides Type 5-friendly data. Anonymous accounts let Type 5s participate without personal exposure. Community focus satisfies Type 6’s need for in-group belonging. Confrontation tools enable Type 8’s direct enforcement style.
The Ownership Illusion
Reddit mods don’t own their communities. But they psychologically invest as if they do.
Forty unpaid hours a week creates commitment. “My subreddit” language becomes natural. “Top mod” hierarchy creates stakes. The ability to shape culture feels like ownership.
This illusory ownership explains why mods fight so hard over control. They’ve invested as if it were real property.
The Burnout Cycle
Every mod burns out eventually. How they burn out depends on type.
Stage 1: Enthusiasm. “I can fix this!” Every removed post feels satisfying. Warning signs: checking the mod queue constantly, over-commitment.
Stage 2: Escalation. The wrongness never ends. Every fix reveals more problems. Warning signs: increasing time investment, declining other activities.
Stage 3: Conflict. Users push back. Other mods disagree. No appreciation. Warning signs: defensive responses, “nobody understands” mentality.
Stage 4: Siege Mentality. Users are the enemy. Only I truly understand. Warning signs: isolation from mod team, increasingly harsh enforcement.
Stage 5: Burnout or Explosion. Quiet exit or public meltdown.
How Each Type Burns Out
Research shows over 25% of content moderators demonstrate moderate to severe psychological distress. But the triggers differ by type.
Type 1 burns out because imperfection is endless. They can never “finish.” Internal experience: “No matter how much I fix, it’s never good enough.” Exit style: quiet resignation with moral disappointment.
Type 5 burns out when emotional demands exceed systematic solutions. Internal experience: “People won’t follow the systems I built.” Exit style: withdraws to backend, eventually disappears.
Type 6 burns out when threats feel overwhelming. Internal experience: “I’m failing to keep the community safe.” Exit style: becomes paranoid, then burns out from anxiety.
Type 8 burns out when constant pushback exhausts confrontational energy. Internal experience: “I’m tired of fighting everyone.” Exit style: explosive exit, may burn bridges.
Type 1s burn out fastest. Their psychology creates an impossible loop: see wrongness, fix it, fixing reveals more wrongness, internal critic says they’re failing, external criticism confirms it, quit or become the rigid authoritarian everyone fears.
“If I just work harder, I can make this community perfect.” You can’t.
Other types have escape valves. Type 8s accept some rule-breaking as inevitable. Type 5s detach emotionally. Type 6s focus on protecting key members. Type 1s see every violation as personal failure.
The “Power-Tripping Mod” Phenomenon
What users see: Mod removes post for minor violation, seems to enjoy power, won’t explain decision, appears authoritarian.
What’s usually happening: Type mismatch. The mod’s psychology doesn’t align with your expectations. The Type 1 is enforcing consistency. The Type 6 spotted a pattern you didn’t see. The Type 8 made a judgment call. The Type 5 followed the enforcement matrix.
When it actually is power-tripping: Real abuse comes from unhealthy versions of these types. Type 8s enjoying dominance for its own sake. Type 1s whose perfectionism has become rigid authoritarianism. Type 6s who see all users as threats. The key difference: healthy mods can explain their reasoning and change when wrong. Unhealthy mods cannot.
How Each Type Can Mod Better
Type 1: Accept imperfection. The community will never be perfect. Create a “let it go” rule: if a post is borderline, let it stay. Your mental health matters more than rule 4.2.1.
Type 5: Connect, don’t just systematize. Systems can’t solve everything. Schedule one “community interaction” per week where you respond to users as a human, not a mod.
Type 6: Trust more. Most users aren’t threats. Create a mental “probation” category: new users get benefit of the doubt for 30 days.
Type 8: Explain your reasoning. “Because I said so” breeds resentment. Create a template: “This was removed because [reason].” Takes 10 seconds, prevents hours of drama.
FAQs
How can communities get better moderation?
Type-diverse mod teams (don’t let one type dominate). Clear escalation paths (so Type 1s don’t feel personally responsible for everything). Defined boundaries (hours per week, specific responsibilities). Burnout protocols (mandatory breaks, rotation systems).
Should I become a moderator?
Ask yourself which psychological need it would serve. Type 1s seeking perfection will find constant wrongness they can’t fix. Type 5s will encounter users ignoring their elegant solutions. Type 6s will face endless potential threats. Type 8s will exhaust themselves fighting everyone. Moderation is most sustainable when you understand your type’s limits and build in safeguards.
How can understanding type psychology help me navigate moderation decisions?
When a mod removes your post, consider what type they might be. A Type 1 needs to see you acknowledge the rule. A Type 6 needs reassurance you’re not a threat. A Type 8 needs you to not challenge their authority directly. A Type 5 needs you to follow the system. This doesn’t mean accepting bad moderation, but it helps you respond more effectively.
Who Actually Governs the Internet
The internet pretends to be democratic. “Anyone can contribute to Wikipedia.” “Anyone can create a subreddit.” “The community decides.”
The reality is oligarchy by personality type.
A tiny fraction of users control the information architecture we all use. Type 1s enforce standards. Type 5s build systems. Type 6s protect communities. Type 8s confront wrongdoers. The rest of us just use what they create.
This isn’t inherently bad. These types are often well-suited to governance. But it means platform culture reflects mod psychology. Blind spots are predictable. Burnout is structural: the people willing to do this work are psychologically vulnerable to the work itself.
Understanding this doesn’t mean accepting bad moderation. It helps everyone navigate these dynamics more effectively.
Related: The Psychology of Twitter Toxicity | How Different Types Become Influencers
Disclaimer: This analysis of moderator and editor personality types is observational and speculative, based on behavioral patterns rather than tested typing of specific individuals. The internet governance patterns described are generalizations that won’t apply to every moderator or community.