I tend to upvote a post when it Links an interesting article or provokes an interesting conversation, and only downvote them when they voice an convectively bad opinion (like, bigotry or other unjustified vitriol).
I tend to upvote comments when they make a good point or at least try to support their argument, and only downvote them for the same reason as posts: when they are trolling, being unnecessarily aggressive, or trying to justify bigotry with fallacious reasoning or something
Upvote if it contributed to the discussion, whether I agree or disagree, whether serious or humorous.
Downvote if it's off-topic, misinformation, belligerent, or a link to a video without a text summary. Downvote if the user did not respond cogently to the comment or post. Downvote bad advice, and bigotry, and anyone who miscorrects "octopusses" to "octopi".
No vote if the comment is banal or I can't understand the point they're trying to make.
I only downvote when someone is being an unreasonable asshole. It's ok to have a different opinion and state it respectfully. Otherwise I sprinkle updoots like fairy dust.
Somebody replies to a thread I made? - up vote.
Somebody replies to a comment I made? - up vote.
Somebody makes a post interesting enough for me to comment? Up vote + all other comments upvoted.
Sometimes it's not worth arguing with ignorant users.
In another thread I mentioned that lithium-ion batteries are allowed in checked baggage but to check with local regulator/airline rulings and laws.
User responded that's prohibited in the TSA (and by that extent every other air space operating entity).
I responded with my local laws (Germany) and 2 air line guidelines saying it allowed and one saying nope.
Good a downvote later on.
However the mood strikes me. I upvote things that I agree with, enjoy, or otherwise approve of. Downvote mostly jerks, liars, and pictures I don't like. Most stuff just glides right by.
Ah, I suppose I can be a bit more specific about my process.
Posts: upvote if I care/liked it, downvote if I don't care about the post so I will hopefully see more of what I care about, and less of what I could careless about.
Comments: upvote those that add value, and really only downvote those that specifically subtract value (mostly when people are being jerks)
For posts, it comes down to whether or not it fits the community. In /c/UnpopularOpinion, your opinion had better be unpopular. In /c/Funny....well, bad example. 😆
If I see a post and I want to see more posts like that in that community, I updoot. If I want to see less posts like that in that community, I downvote. Nothing more complicated than that.
So if you post a cute cat pic to a community about cats or cute things, I'm updooting it. Not even super concerned with how well I looked that specific pic, I want to see cute cat pics there and you provided one so you get the updoot.
But if I'm in a discussion-based community and you post something with a clickbait title, I downvote. Doesn't matter if you're technically still on topic, I want to see less of that nonsense so I downvote it.
If there's a community I want to support I generally go in and upvote every comment on every post. Unless it's mean, then it gets a downvote or a removal if it's bad enough and breaks the rules and it's in a community I mod and have god-like powers in.
I try to upvote anyone that responds to me, even if they disagree with me, or I with them. It feels petty not to.
I upvote when a post is helpful, funny, entertaining, or if I just want to let the poster know that their post was acknowledged . I rarely downvote, mostly reserved for trolls and unprovoked rudeness.
I try not to use downvotes unless someone expresses a truly gross point of view or outright says something that is wrong / counterfactual. I upvote the ones that stand out as useful / informative / funny / insightful for comments. I upvote most posts if I enjoy seeing them and any that are requests for information.
So, if I comment "disagree" to this, would you upvote for agreeing that I disagree, or would you downvote for disagreeing with my disagreement of your statement?
If you are disagreeing with my take on a problem but I agree because it's a better solution, I will gladly upvote you
Edit: Missed the /s. Slept not enough ;D
I upvote things I like. I downvote very little. I laugh at snowflakes who believe that downvoting people who don't agree with them makes any fucking difference at all here.