AO3 News

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[transformativeworks]

The OTW is Recruiting for Open Doors Technical Volunteers, Tag Wrangling Volunteers, and Translation Translators

Do you know programming languages like SQL or Python and want to help rescue at-risk fan archives? Want to wrangle AO3 tags or translate them into English? Are you fluent in other languages? The OTW is recruiting: https://otw-news.org/2p94jnbf 

[transformativeworks]

Applications for Translators are still open, check out our volunteering page for more information: otw.org/volunteer!

[transformativeworks]

The OTW is Recruiting for Open Doors Technical Volunteers, Tag Wrangling Volunteers, and Translation Translators

Do you know programming languages like SQL or Python and want to help rescue at-risk fan archives? Want to wrangle AO3 tags or translate them into English? Are you fluent in other languages? The OTW is recruiting: https://otw-news.org/2p94jnbf 

[transformativeworks]

The Mass Effect Kink Meme is Moving to AO3

The Mass Effect Kink Meme a prompt meme for the Mass Effect games, is being imported to AO3! Read more at:

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[transformativeworks]

June 2026 Newsletter, Volume 212

June's OTW newsletter spotlights the new OTW Code of Conduct, AO3 reaching 11 million registered users, and a new OTW RedNote (小红书) account. Read more at https://otw-news.org/2p9y32y7.

[ao3org]

AO3 Releases 0.9.469 – 0.9.473: Change Log

In April, we deployed improvements to tag search and several security fixes. We also made some progress on making more parts of AO3 translatable. And of course, AO3 officially exited open beta in April as well!

Read more at: https://ao3-news.org/v-0-9-473

[transformativeworks]

Updates to "No Fandom" Additional Tags, June 2026

AO3 tag wranglers have canonized some new "No Fandom" additional tags and revised subtag and metatag relationships of existing "No Fandom" canonical tags. Check out the latest news post for details: https://otw-news.org/2wdv4dm5

[ao3org]

Wrangling Update: Assassin's Creed Metatag + Fandom Structure

Hello Assassin's Creed fans!

Previously, all Assassin's Creed games and tie-in media have been synned into the Assassin's Creed - All Media Types Metatag, without distinct fandom tags for individual games. With the recent Changes to Fandom Metatag Wrangling Guidelines, we're now able to break out individual tags for different Assassin's Creed games.

In summary: we're creating new fandom subtags that are specific to each Assassin's game! These fandom tags will cover both the games and associated tie-in media, and will allow for users to more easily filter for fanworks by game, while still allowing filtering for multiple games and excluding other crossovers.

For the full details of the restructure, please read on after the cut.

Overview of Restructure:

As described above, Assassin's Creed - All Media Types will now serve as the top-level umbrella fandom for any Assassin's Creed related works! We've now also canonized the following subtagged fandoms:

Metatag: Assassin's Creed - All Media Types

Assassin’s Creed I (Video Games)

Assassin’s Creed II (Video Games)

Assassin’s Creed III (Video Games)

Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag (Video Games)

Assassin’s Creed: Rogue (Video Game)

Assassin’s Creed: Unity (Video Game)

Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate (Video Game)

Assassin’s Creed: Origins (Video Game)

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (Video Game)

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla (Video Game)

Assassin’s Creed: Mirage (Video Game)

Assassin’s Creed: Shadows (Video Game)

Assassin’s Creed (Movie 2016)

Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants - Matthew J. Kirby

What does this actually mean?

This change would allow for users to search for works related to a specific game or multiple games. Previously, this could only be done by searching for the game's protagonist and/or specific characters that appear in the game. For example, to filter for works related to or about Assassin's Creed I, you would previously have had to search by filtering for characters such as Altaïr or Malik. With this new change, you would only need to filter for Assassin's Creed I, and all works that have been tagged with this subfandom will be found.

This also means that users who want to exclude crossovers with non-Assassin's Creed fandoms will be able to do so. After this change, Assassin's Creed - All Media Types serving as a metatag will mean works tagged with multiple subtagged Assassin's Creed games will show in search results even if crossovers are excluded. This will also allow users to exclude works tagged with specific Assassin's Creed fandoms.

How were specific subtags decided?

Subtags were chosen based on previously used fandom tags. Because some Assassin's Creed games have continuity between them (e.g., Assassin's Creed II and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood), grouping by assassin allows users to filter based on games characters typically appear in and canon continuity.

I've posted works under the Assassin's Creed - All Media Types fandom tag. Do I need to re-tag to specify which game they're about?

You are not required to re-tag! Your work will remain discoverable under the All Media Types tag. However, you are welcome to re-tag if you wish! Re-tagging the work to specify the game(s) only means that if a user were to search all works under that specific game, your work will appear. You can also update works to add tags for specific games alongside the All Media Types tag if you wish. Ultimately, the choice is yours to make.

How do I search by specific tie-in media if there isn't a fandom canonical with a subtag?

Assassin's Creed media (e.g. comic runs) without their own canonized fandom will still have canonized freeforms if they've been tagged for by users. These freeforms can be used to filter for works tagged with this media.

Will you be adding more subfandoms as new Assassin's Creed media is released?

Fandom wranglers will continue to evaluate new fandom tags as they are used, including for new Assassin's Creed media!

(From time to time, ao3org posts announcements of recent or upcoming wrangling changes on behalf of the Tag Wrangling Committee.)

[transformativeworks]

AO3 Celebrates 11 Million Registered Users

AO3 now has 11 million registered users! Visit our celebration post and learn about gifts on AO3. Read more at https://otw-news.org/5n7expmy 

[transformativeworks]

Spambot Comments on AO3

As spam continues to be a problem on AO3, here's an update on the types of spambot comments you may see, what we're doing to combat them, and how you can help! Read more at https://otw-news.org/mr42w8j9

[transformativeworks]

As of June 2026, bots are also leaving guest spam comments that are:

suicide baiting (often machine translated into other languages)

asking you to mail them your work with a promise of payment

As always, please be cautious if something in the comments seems untrue or strange, and follow internet safety best practices.

If you're not sure if something is a spambot comment, you're welcome to contact Policy & Abuse for assistance. Refer to the original post for more information!

[transformativeworks]

Kraith Collected is Being Copied to AO3!

Kraith Collected, a collection of Star Trek zines set in the Kraith universe, is importing a copy of the zines’ fanworks to AO3 via Open Doors. For background and what this means for creators with works in Kraith Collected, read more at https://otw-news.org/48t6z7aj

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[transformativeworks]

In FiveThings, Ellipsis discusses OTW News by Mail, canonical character tags, and balancing work, volunteering, and reading fic. Read more on https://otw-news.org/2p9eyy6n

[transformativeworks]

May 2026 Newsletter, Volume 211

May's OTW newsletter spotlights Open Doors' plans to import Artistic Alley artworks, Fanlore's annual bingo challenge, and the upcoming 2026 OTW Board of Directors election. Check out the latest news post for details: https://otw-news.org/35u5xtbc

[transformativeworks]

Updates to "No Fandom" Additional Tags, May 2026

AO3 tag wranglers have canonized some new "No Fandom" additional tags and revised subtag and metatag relationships of existing "No Fandom" canonical tags. Check out the latest news post for details: https://otw-news.org/y8pvnu7j

[transformativeworks]

Manacles Press’s Fanzines are Moving to the AO3!

Manacles Press, publisher of various fanzines including Nudge Nudge Wink Wink (Professionals), McPikus Interruptus (Wiseguy), and Consupiscence (multifandom), is importing the zines’ fanworks to the AO3! Read all about it at: https://otw-news.org/bdfvy74u

[transformativeworks]

2026 OTW Election Timeline & Membership Deadline

The OTW Elections committee is pleased to announce that the timeline for the 2026 election for new members of the Board of Directors has been posted!

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[ao3org]

Releases 0.9.462 - 0.9.468: Change Log

AO3's March code releases included a slew of collection, bookmark, and history bug fixes, as well as several improvements for site admins.

Read more at https://ao3-news.org/v-0-9-468

[transformativeworks]

The OTW is Recruiting for Fanlore Chair Track Volunteers, Communications Social Media Moderators (English and Chinese), and Open Doors Import Assistants

Do you have experience in managing or leading people? Are you a frequent Bluesky, Twitter | X, or RedNote user who enjoys helping others? Are you interested in the rescue and preservation of fanworks? The OTW is recruiting! Learn more at: https://otw-news.org/mrx56zjn

[transformativeworks]

Applications for Communications Social Media Moderators (especially if you speak Chinese) and Fanlore Chair-Track Volunteers are still open, check out our volunteering page for more information: otw.org/volunteer!