Why are some ao3 stories locked. The number of new users ...

Why are some ao3 stories locked. The number of new users joining the site doubled between April and May, and we currently have over 17,000 users waiting for an invitation. . An unofficial sub devoted to AO3. As the AO3 Accessing Fanworks FAQ states: "Creators have the option to restrict access to a work to registered users only. The move is aimed at preventing their work from being used to train AI models without their permission. Accessing Fanworks What browsers is the Archive compatible with? What URLs can I use to access the Archive? Do I need any plugins, extensions, or other tools to browse the Archive? Can I use the Archive without JavaScript? How do I access works on the Archive? How do I access works in a series? How do I navigate between multiple works in a series? Can I access multi-chapter works as one long An unofficial sub devoted to AO3. As more of us restrict our works or delete them in an effort to protect them or leave ourselves exposed to data scraping or various forms of harassment, less people will have access to stories that they love. Is there a way to filter for Locked works while logged in? I like using the feeds but this means I will miss out on locked works unless I'm on the archive, correct? I've seen a blue padlock icon next to titles on AO3 (web and app version). Tangentially, I don't like it when people log on to ao3 using a third-party app, because I don't know if the app maker can see that information, and it makes me uneasy. We are proactive and innovative in protecting and defending our work from commercial exploitation and legal challenge. Ao3 volunteers uplifting the usage of generative AI on the site only supports our current reality, one I'm not a writer on ao3, just a reader, but I do know that restricting your first can protect against AI scraping fics, so tbh, I always reccomend that authors restrict their fics. Please also check our official status Twitter, @AO3_Status for updates on temporary issues such as site downtime, slowness, or other problems. National File delivers independent news coverage on politics, culture, technology, and breaking stories. It might mean less comments and kudos, but they are more protected that way. These are the major Known Issues that are currently affecting us on the Archive of Our Own. This has led to a decrease in publicly viewable stories on AO3, impacting both popular and newer writers Jul 15, 2025 · At the end of the day, generative AI harms Ao3 users and limits user accessibility. If you hover over it, I believe the tool tip says "restricted" or similar, but I can't find an explanation of what is restricted. While this move aims to prevent AI bots from accessing and utilizing their content, it also limits traffic Oct 11, 2023 · In response to the threat of AI scraping their work, fanfiction writers on Archive of Our Own (AO3) are locking their accounts and restricting their writing to registered users only. Update on AO3 performance issues Since last month, we’ve been experiencing frequent and worsening performance problems on the Archive of Our Own as the site has expanded suddenly and dramatically. Oct 12, 2023 · As the popularity of fanfiction continues to rise, writers on the popular fanfiction site Archive of Our Own (AO3) are taking steps to protect their work from being scraped by AI models. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Several of these jumped to an AO3 page which indicated that the works were now only visible behind the login page and that " only registered users " were allowed to view them. Stay informed with fearless journalism. Works that have been restricted won't show up in searches if you're not Oct 11, 2023 · In an effort to prevent their writing from being scraped and used to train AI models, many AO3 writers are locking their work, restricting it to readers who have registered AO3 accounts. Dec 29, 2025 · The term restricted work (also referred to as "archive-locked work" or "login-locked work") refers to a fanwork on AO3 that has been set by the creator to only be accessible by logged in accounts. Many AO3 writers are now locking their stories and making them accessible only to registered users. I want to avoid bullies and lessen the chance that someone will post my story on another website without asking me. The Archive of Our Own (AO3) offers a noncommercial and nonprofit central hosting place for fanworks. My ao3 account name is known to some of my rl friends who don't read fanfiction, and even if the chances they'd ever search the name is low, maybe I don't want them to know about/see all the filth I write haha As I was working on an update to my Fanfiction Guide this afternoon, I was clicked into some of my saved Bookmarks in Chrome to double-check how "current" those stories were. If so, why are only some of their works restricted while others are not? Approximately how many restricted works are there that appear invisible to unregistered users? Would it be worth it to get an account just to have access to these stories? Archived post. Also, ao3 is my favorite, and I want more people to be on it. irms, 1lddg, adij, xc8c6i, lzpog, robp5, 8prjs, qhahby, vrp2y, nckjj,