Archive of Our Own (AO3) has issued a statement clarifying its content policies and addressing user concerns following changes to Wattpad's explicit content guidelines. Reports of a potential influx of Wattpad users potentially altering AO3's established culture have circulated, but the fanfiction hosting site has assured its community that its core principles remain unchanged.
"AO3 has no plans to change the content we allow on AO3, and we stand by our commitment to maximum inclusiveness of fanwork content," AO3 stated on its website. The platform emphasized its long-standing identity as a space for creative freedom and its commitment to allowing a wide range of fanworks.
The current climate, marked by increased scrutiny of NSFW content on various digital platforms and ongoing online discussions about the role of sex in media, has amplified anxieties within fandom spaces. Concerns have been raised that users migrating from platforms with different content moderation standards might attempt to report or flag material they deem inappropriate on AO3, potentially disrupting the site's permissive environment.
In response to these worries, AO3 reiterated its moderation approach. "We will not remove works unless they violate the AO3 Terms of Service, and we don’t make decisions based on how many times something is reported," the statement read. "Users do not need to worry that anyone’s works will be taken down due to a baseless report or a mass-reporting campaign, if one were to occur."
AO3 also offered guidance to new users, irrespective of their previous platform. "It’s up to you to curate your space well. Tags exist for a reason. Use them! Filter the ones you don’t want to see," the site advised, encouraging users to manage their own experience without impacting the content available to others.