#plus a post going around deliberately suggesting mistagging to get more readers

[elexuscal]

don't mistag fanfics

don't deliberately keep off a zesty trope tag, or mark a romantic pairing as platonic, or add a pairing that isn't actually in the story, or whatever, just to get more views

it's incredibly rude, and potentially hurtful.

i know, i know. you like what you're writing. You want more people to see it, and you think that people would like it if they just gave it a shot.

but you don't get to make that call for your readers. yes, using this technique, some might read something they otherwise wouldn't, and enjoy it. but many will be avoiding that ship/trope/etc for a reason. at best, you might just annoy them; at worst, you can accidentally trigger someone.

it's a courtesy to be as honest with your tagging as possible. it helps people avoid things they don't like, and conversely, find things they do like.

What if I genuinely forget to tag something or accidentally mistag it?

that's fine! accidents happen, we're all learning. just be willing to listen when and if someone asks you to make changes : )

What if I want the trope/pairing to remain a surprise?

then use 'authors chose not to use archive warnings'! or you could have a beginning author's note saying "hey this story/chapter gets into some intense themes, check out the ending authors note for a full list". those are good tools to preserve the surprise while letting people opt-in or out as necessary

Be nice to your fellow readers, and help keep the fanfic community a safe, fun space for everyone :3

#fanfiction #ao3 #fanfic #born out of learning some people are deliberately tagging romantic MBD fic as platonic to lure in new readers #don't do that it's a dick move #plus a post going around deliberately suggesting mistagging to get more readers