How To Become a Content Moderator: Step-by-Step Guide

Content moderators are responsible for reviewing and approving content for a variety of platforms, including social media, websites and forums. This job requires strong attention to detail and the ability to make quick decisions. If you are interested in becoming a content moderator, it is important to understand the job responsibilities and requirements. In this article, we explain what content moderators do and how to become one.

What Does a Content Moderator Do?

A content moderator is a person who ensures that the content on a website or online platform meets the standards set by the company, organization or individual who owns it. This can include anything from removing profanity and hate speech to vetting posts for accuracy or compliance with guidelines.

Content moderators typically have the following duties:

• Reviewing content posted by users to ensure it meets the standards set by the company or organization
• Flagging or removing content that violates the standards, such as content that is profane, hateful, violent, spammy or otherwise inappropriate
• Reporting any content that may require further review to a supervisor or manager
• Responding to user inquiries or complaints about moderated content
• Keeping up-to-date on the latest content moderation trends and best practices
• Assisting with developing and enforcing moderation policies
• Training new content moderators

Content Moderator Salary and Job Outlook

The average salary for a content moderator is $48,410 per year. However, this figure can vary depending on the specific employer, industry and geographical location of the moderator.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job growth for content moderators will be slower than average over the next decade. This may be due to the increasing use of automated systems to moderate online content. As more companies adopt these systems, there may be less need for human content moderators.

How to Become a Content Moderator

Here are several steps you should take to become a content moderator.

1. Complete a high school diploma or equivalent

While a college degree is not always required to become a content moderator, most employers prefer candidates who have completed some form of higher education. A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum educational requirement for this position. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a content moderator and do not currently have a high school diploma, consider taking classes or completing a program that will help you earn your diploma.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you may want to consider pursuing additional training or certifications to further enhance your resume.

2. Consider completing a degree or certificate in a relevant field, such as communications, journalism, or digital media

While a degree or certificate is not always necessary to become a content moderator, it can help you gain entry-level positions and develop the skills needed for this career. Consider completing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or digital media if you want to work as a social media manager or journalist.

If you are interested in working as a content moderator specifically, consider pursuing a certificate program in online content moderation from an accredited university. These programs typically take one to two years to complete and provide students with foundational knowledge of internet law, ethics and best practices, along with instruction on how to use content moderation tools and software.

3. Gain experience working with social media platforms and content moderation tools

Many employers of content moderators will accept entry-level candidates with no experience, but having some experience using social media platforms can help you understand the types of content you might be reviewing. If you don’t have any personal experience using social media, try signing up for free accounts on several different platforms to see how they work.

You may also want to consider working in a related field before pursuing a career as a content moderator. For example, if you’re interested in becoming a social media manager or community manager, you could start by volunteering or working unpaid internships at local businesses or organizations.

4. Develop strong research skills

Content moderators must be able to find information quickly and accurately. They need to know how to use search tools and other resources to locate content that may violate a company’s guidelines or break the law. Strong research skills are also important for identifying copyrighted material so you can determine if it is permissible to use on your client’s website.

You should also develop strong analytical skills, as you will need to evaluate large amounts of content and make decisions based on what you find.

5. Be able to work independently and make sound decisions quickly

Content moderators often work independently and make decisions quickly. They may have to review hundreds of posts or videos in a day, so it’s important that they can prioritize their time and focus on the most urgent tasks.

Because there are often strict guidelines about what content is acceptable and what isn’t, content moderators must be able to make quick decisions about whether something should remain online or not.

6. Stay up to date on trends in social media and online content

Content moderators must be able to recognize and understand the latest trends in social media content. This includes knowing what types of posts, videos or other online content are trending among different demographics and age groups.

For example, you may need to know that a particular hashtag is commonly used by a specific group of people who post offensive or inappropriate material. Or you may need to know that a popular celebrity has recently changed their username, which could affect the number of impersonation accounts on various platforms.

7. Join professional organizations, such as the Online Content Moderation Association

The Online Content Moderation Association (OCMA) is an organization that provides resources and networking opportunities for professionals in the online content moderation field. Membership with the OCMA can help you learn about job openings, receive training and certifications and stay up to date on industry trends. The OCMA also offers a certification program for those who want to advance their careers.