diff --git a/karma/__init__.py b/karma/__init__.py
index b375170..a417967 100644
--- a/karma/__init__.py
+++ b/karma/__init__.py
@@ -36,12 +36,12 @@ COMMAND_DOWNVOTE = "downvote"
 UPVOTE_EMOJI = r"(?:\U0001F44D[\U0001F3FB-\U0001F3FF]?)"
 UPVOTE_EMOJI_SHORTHAND = r"(?:\:\+1\:)|(?:\:thumbsup\:)"
 UPVOTE_TEXT = r"(?:\+(?:1|\+)?)"
-UPVOTE = f"{UPVOTE_EMOJI}|{UPVOTE_EMOJI_SHORTHAND}|{UPVOTE_TEXT}"
+UPVOTE = f"^(?:{UPVOTE_EMOJI}|{UPVOTE_EMOJI_SHORTHAND}|{UPVOTE_TEXT})$"
 
 DOWNVOTE_EMOJI = r"(?:\U0001F44E[\U0001F3FB-\U0001F3FF]?)"
 DOWNVOTE_EMOJI_SHORTHAND = r"(?:\:-1\:)|(?:\:thumbsdown\:)"
 DOWNVOTE_TEXT = r"(?:-(?:1|-)?)"
-DOWNVOTE = f"{DOWNVOTE_EMOJI}|{DOWNVOTE_EMOJI_SHORTHAND}|{DOWNVOTE_TEXT}"
+DOWNVOTE = f"^(?:{DOWNVOTE_EMOJI}|{DOWNVOTE_EMOJI_SHORTHAND}|{DOWNVOTE_TEXT})$"
 
 
 class KarmaBot(Plugin):