Recently I’ve noticed a huge lack of interaction from readers on ao3. The ratio of hits to kudos and comments is usually sadly low. Personally I think we need to de-insta and de-TikTok how people use ao3. What I mean by de-insta/tiktok is to try to move away from the culture of being afraid to interact with a piece of media. I know especially on insta people are afraid to interact, like, and comment because they don’t want to be seen as weird or a stalker for liking all of someone’s post. Same goes for tiktok. Another thing about other social media culture that is dangerous for ao3 is being afraid to interact because now the algorithm will show all your followers what you interacted with.

With the younger generation using ao3 (and just people in general), these fears associated with other forms of social media have followed over to ao3. I think the lack of interaction on fics is incredibly draining. Not that fic writers only write for likes and attention, but it is very hard to stay motivated when you put a lot of work into a fic then get little out in return.

We need to shift the culture of ao3 back towards user interaction. Please give kudos if you like a fic. Please leave a comment, or two, or as many as you’d like. Fic writers would love so much to see that their work is being appreciated. By interacting with a fic, it shows the writer that people like their work and often gives motivation for them to write more. It is really easy to get burned out if you feel like no really appreciates your work. Also with comments, a lot of writers love interacting with their readers! Giving an opportunity for a writer to talk about their work is so important. Even if they don’t respond, I can guarantee they read all the nice comments about their work and get a lot of joy from seeing them.

there is no algorithm!!!

There is no “for you” page!!

AO3 is NOT a social media website it’s an archive—a library!!

When authors post there it’s because we want a safe place to store our stories—a place where our friends and fellow fans of whatever it is we’re writing about can access that story and leave comments and kudos for the author!

You can only leave one kudos (a like ♥️) but you can leave as many comments as you want—you can reread a story a dozen times over and comment every single time!

Authors LOVE comments—but please save your criticism or negativity for someone that has ASKED for it. Most authors aren’t looking for that kind of interaction with their stories, and in fact it can be quite hurtful and demoralizing to receive it, so please be kind!

On my own stories I use an emoji key to help commenters out, because I know people have anxiety about what to say:

Comments are love, but for those who don't know what to say, here's an emoji key for you!

❤ = you wish you could kudos again

😭 = I got you right in the feels

🔥 = this was so hot!

🐰 = it’s so fluffy!

If you’re worried about rambling or leaving a long comment that details every single thing you liked about the story—don’t be!! Authors LIVE for that 😍😍😍

Just to name a few:

Oscar Piastri did A-levels in Maths, Physics and Computer Science

Arvid Lindblad either did or is currently doing A-levels in maths and chemistry

Carlos Sainz was forced by his dad to get to a uni entrance exam, meaning he has finished school and has the required qualifications.

Yuki Tsunoda WENT to uni and dropped out for racing.

Nico Rosberg rejected an offer from Imperial College London to study some sort of engineering.

While not having A-levels (which aren’t even compulsory so idk what Wolff is on about) Lewis Hamilton, Oliver Bearman and George Russell all have their GCSEs. Lando Norris is actually the only current British driver (Including Alex Albon) to NOT have his GCSEs. Pierre Gasly has the Baccalaureate. Charles did whatever they do in Monaco i don’t know. Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg both finished secondary education. Liam Lawson did education in NZ before moving to Europe. Lance Stroll did his education in Switzerland.

There are actually only 7 drivers who didn’t complete compulsory education. Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, Esteban Ocon, Sergio Perez, Gabriel Borteleto, Franco Colapinto and Isack Hadjar.

68.2% of the current grid completed compulsory education. And then there’s also Nico Rosberg cause i love that guy and wanted to bring him up!

Me: ?

The toy: