OP
Also called: original poster, OP meaning, original post
Definition
OP stands for original poster: the person who created the Reddit post a thread is under. People also use OP to mean the original post itself. Replying to OP's actual question is the core of good Reddit participation.
OP means "original poster," the person who started the thread. Reddit's own glossary of expressions defines it as "original poster (i.e. the person that created the post)." In conversation it also means the post itself: "Did you read OP?"
How it's used
- Addressing the author. "OP, what's your budget?" is a normal way to ask a follow-up question.
- Marking the author's replies. On Reddit, comments by the post's author are typically labeled OP inside the thread, so readers can tell when the original poster jumps into the comments.
- In edits. "Edit: OP here, solved it" tells readers the asker has updated the post.
- In AMAs. Reddit's AMA help page calls the host OP and lets them add co-hosts, whose answers are highlighted alongside OP's.
- For moderators. AutoModerator has an is_submitter check, so mods can write rules that treat OP's comments in their own thread differently.
Why it matters for marketers
OP is the buyer. In a thread like "Looking for a bookkeeping tool that handles multi-currency for a 3-person agency," OP has told you their team size, their problem and what they will judge you on. That is buying intent in plain words.
Three habits follow:
- Answer OP's question, not the topic. If OP asked about multi-currency, lead with multi-currency.
- Read OP's follow-up comments. OP often adds constraints in replies ("budget is under $50/month"). Replies that ignore them get skipped.
- Watch for OP's verdict. Many threads end with OP saying what they picked. That comment is what future readers from Google will look for.
Example
OP asks: "Which help desk works for a two-person Shopify store? Zendesk feels like overkill." A reply that compares three lighter tools by price and Shopify integration, and notes the commenter built one of them, answers OP. A reply that pastes a feature list does not, and OP will usually ignore it.
Common mistakes
- Replying to the title only. The details are in OP's body text and follow-up comments.
- DMing OP uninvited with a pitch. Many users block or report that, and some subreddits ban it.
- Pretending to be a happy customer in OP's thread while working for the company. Where a subreddit requires disclosure, hiding it breaks the rules; Reddit's sitewide rules also prohibit misleading others about who you are.
Frequently asked questions
What does OP mean in Reddit comments?
It refers to the original poster, the person who made the post at the top of the thread.
What does "OP delivers" mean?
It is a reply used when the original poster follows through on something they promised, such as posting a photo or result.
Is OP the same as the person who posted a comment?
No. OP is the author of the post. Someone replying to a comment would call that commenter by their username, not OP.