AO3 Commenting Etiquette
This is somewhat different from what people normally talk about with AO3 etiquette. Most have already heard things like if you have nothing nice to say don’t say anything, etc. etc. But I’m here to talk about replying to comments left on someone else’s story because I just had quite a bit of drama occur on one of my stories.
If you’re upset with a user for the way they’re bookmarking things, don’t air your grievances to them after they’ve commented on one of my stories. This is wholly unnecessary and forces me to play moderator, which is not something I go to AO3 to do. Even if you think you’re helping me in some way, don’t do this. I am more than capable of handling a difficult comment on one of my own stories. And if someone leaves a so-so remark in their bookmarks? That’s their business. We can’t regulate how people make notes in their bookmarks. AO3 shouldn’t even let us see people’s notes on bookmarks, but that’s a whole different thing.
In short, don’t start a debate on one of my AO3 stories, don’t berate a user for how they bookmark things on AO3, and don’t start whole Twitter threads designed to start a witch hunt over someone who was out there bookmarking things in a way that sort of annoys you. You could really mess up someone’s life just because you’re feeling a little irked.
And while I’m airing out my own grievances regarding messages I’ve gotten, if you’re not sure whether one of my stories is for you, that’s okay! You don’t need to tell me! I’ve tagged my stories so you can avoid stuff you’re unsure about! And if you’re trying to get more detail on how explicit something is or just more detail on the content warnings, you can 100% ask in a straightforward manner either on AO3 or on Tumblr or wherever it is you’re following me. I don’t mind answering those kinds of questions, but I need to know that’s what you’re getting at if you’re expecting a proper answer.
If you’re upset with a user for the way they’re bookmarking things, don’t air your grievances to them after they’ve commented on one of my stories. This is wholly unnecessary and forces me to play moderator, which is not something I go to AO3 to do. Even if you think you’re helping me in some way, don’t do this. I am more than capable of handling a difficult comment on one of my own stories. And if someone leaves a so-so remark in their bookmarks? That’s their business. We can’t regulate how people make notes in their bookmarks. AO3 shouldn’t even let us see people’s notes on bookmarks, but that’s a whole different thing.
In short, don’t start a debate on one of my AO3 stories, don’t berate a user for how they bookmark things on AO3, and don’t start whole Twitter threads designed to start a witch hunt over someone who was out there bookmarking things in a way that sort of annoys you. You could really mess up someone’s life just because you’re feeling a little irked.
And while I’m airing out my own grievances regarding messages I’ve gotten, if you’re not sure whether one of my stories is for you, that’s okay! You don’t need to tell me! I’ve tagged my stories so you can avoid stuff you’re unsure about! And if you’re trying to get more detail on how explicit something is or just more detail on the content warnings, you can 100% ask in a straightforward manner either on AO3 or on Tumblr or wherever it is you’re following me. I don’t mind answering those kinds of questions, but I need to know that’s what you’re getting at if you’re expecting a proper answer.