Lately, there's been a bit of talk about the 1x1 section getting a little too out of hand with the over-sharing of information on the mature content, so we're trying to figure out a way to get it scaled back to something more tasteful and to sort of create a standard language so people know what they're getting into. Also, we want to make sure that Google doesn't decide to rescind Adsense in its wrath.
We do not ban mature content per se on the Guild, but we do require that it is advertised tastefully and kept in a private forum out of the publicly accessible parts of the Guild, and that it complies with the laws common to much of the developed world as to the age of partners and content. We are not requiring this because we are prudish, per se, but because the Roleplayer Guild has an advertising revenue agreement with Google Adsense that funds the site and makes mahz's life a lot easier.
We actually tend to feel that letting people advertise for mature roleplays has an advantage -- it lets people know where things stand from the outset, before they start talking about the plot. There's a lot less "Surprise, here's the sex!" for players that do not want mature content by allowing people to just state plainly that they are looking for mature content. People can then proceed or steer clear as they are so inclined. But there's such a thing as TMI.
In the interest of not losing Google Adsense and because there have been incident where people have either assumed that adult RP is entirely forbidden or that they can list all the kinks out in public, however, we are clarifying the policy on how to list 1x1 interest checks that are intended to be mature content. We will be clearing out interest checks that violate this policy if they are not changed to comply with the revised policy.
We understand that in the past, we simply said, "Keep it tasteful" and that is too vague, so we're revising that position and providing guidance. We understand that old interest checks are hard to get to, but request that you please modify any active interest checks to fall in line with the standards. If you need help, you can always PM a mod and throw them an interest check, and they will be happy to get back with you on how to make them compliant with the revised standards.
Please understand that this is not necessarily a judgment against what you want to do in your plots in PM, but a matter of the Guild's bottom line. We're worried that the wrong word combinations might just set off Google Adsense again, and we're very much trying to avoid a repeat of Guildfall.
This is not going to be a moderator witchunt, we are not going to go around issuing bans for this (unless we run into some pedo content, but we've always purged pedo content so that doesn't exactly surprise anyone) but we do want people to do their part to ensure that the guild keeps its ad revenue. After a while, we'll start hiding the offending interest checks and send a note letting the person know, but that should hopefully be an measure that is rarely needed.
For further information on specific do's and don't, as well as examples of interest checks properly written, please consult below.
Do:
Don't:
We do not ban mature content per se on the Guild, but we do require that it is advertised tastefully and kept in a private forum out of the publicly accessible parts of the Guild, and that it complies with the laws common to much of the developed world as to the age of partners and content. We are not requiring this because we are prudish, per se, but because the Roleplayer Guild has an advertising revenue agreement with Google Adsense that funds the site and makes mahz's life a lot easier.
We actually tend to feel that letting people advertise for mature roleplays has an advantage -- it lets people know where things stand from the outset, before they start talking about the plot. There's a lot less "Surprise, here's the sex!" for players that do not want mature content by allowing people to just state plainly that they are looking for mature content. People can then proceed or steer clear as they are so inclined. But there's such a thing as TMI.
In the interest of not losing Google Adsense and because there have been incident where people have either assumed that adult RP is entirely forbidden or that they can list all the kinks out in public, however, we are clarifying the policy on how to list 1x1 interest checks that are intended to be mature content. We will be clearing out interest checks that violate this policy if they are not changed to comply with the revised policy.
1. Specific acts and details of the plots are to be hammered out in private. Listings must be kept general, but tagged as being mature content.
2. Tagging for mature content should be in the form of either putting "Adult" or "18+" or "Mature" in the topic or beside a pairing list or plot title. In fact, all three is a good one too. Let's keep it classy and not use the word "smut" even though that's probably the definition. For example: "CongressmanxAide (Adult/18+/Mature)" -- Further examples are provided below in tabs.
3. Listing the variety of acts/kinks that you want to do is a no-go; take that stuff to private.
4. We ban bestiality, pedophilia (and any other -underage- relationships) and other heinous and illegal acts -- there are forums that cater to that stuff, we want it off ours.
5. Incidentally, trying to harass people for RP's when they have shown no interest is bannable. If you are being harassed by a partner over an RP done in private, please report it to the mods.
6. Please report this stuff to a moderator by PM privately: @Hank, @Sherlock Holmes, @Kangaroo, @Rilla, @Ruby or @NuttsnBolts. Currently, we are not doing anything except requesting a rewrite of the interest checks in question, mostly so as to give everyone time to adjust to the new policy.
2. Tagging for mature content should be in the form of either putting "Adult" or "18+" or "Mature" in the topic or beside a pairing list or plot title. In fact, all three is a good one too. Let's keep it classy and not use the word "smut" even though that's probably the definition. For example: "CongressmanxAide (Adult/18+/Mature)" -- Further examples are provided below in tabs.
3. Listing the variety of acts/kinks that you want to do is a no-go; take that stuff to private.
4. We ban bestiality, pedophilia (and any other -underage- relationships) and other heinous and illegal acts -- there are forums that cater to that stuff, we want it off ours.
5. Incidentally, trying to harass people for RP's when they have shown no interest is bannable. If you are being harassed by a partner over an RP done in private, please report it to the mods.
6. Please report this stuff to a moderator by PM privately: @Hank, @Sherlock Holmes, @Kangaroo, @Rilla, @Ruby or @NuttsnBolts. Currently, we are not doing anything except requesting a rewrite of the interest checks in question, mostly so as to give everyone time to adjust to the new policy.
We understand that in the past, we simply said, "Keep it tasteful" and that is too vague, so we're revising that position and providing guidance. We understand that old interest checks are hard to get to, but request that you please modify any active interest checks to fall in line with the standards. If you need help, you can always PM a mod and throw them an interest check, and they will be happy to get back with you on how to make them compliant with the revised standards.
Please understand that this is not necessarily a judgment against what you want to do in your plots in PM, but a matter of the Guild's bottom line. We're worried that the wrong word combinations might just set off Google Adsense again, and we're very much trying to avoid a repeat of Guildfall.
This is not going to be a moderator witchunt, we are not going to go around issuing bans for this (unless we run into some pedo content, but we've always purged pedo content so that doesn't exactly surprise anyone) but we do want people to do their part to ensure that the guild keeps its ad revenue. After a while, we'll start hiding the offending interest checks and send a note letting the person know, but that should hopefully be an measure that is rarely needed.
For further information on specific do's and don't, as well as examples of interest checks properly written, please consult below.
Do:
1. Tag your roleplays as “Mature” and/or “Adult” and/or “18+” in interest checks, because that works out – people aren't being mugged with surprise erotic RP anymore. As far as we are concerned, that denotes an RP with sexually mature content. If you have a pairing list or a list of plots, mark the ones that qualify individually.
2. Take discussion of specific acts over to PM, where you guys can discuss limitations and other specifics.
3. Report harassment – we want to know if someone is still pressuring for something even after being told to go away. The procedure should be to tell them to back off and give us a ring if they don't.
4. Keep it in Private Message, obviously. Any RP marked needs to stay in PM.
2. Take discussion of specific acts over to PM, where you guys can discuss limitations and other specifics.
3. Report harassment – we want to know if someone is still pressuring for something even after being told to go away. The procedure should be to tell them to back off and give us a ring if they don't.
4. Keep it in Private Message, obviously. Any RP marked needs to stay in PM.
Don't:
1. Use other tags besides, “Mature,” “Adult” or “18+” It may sound strange that we don't want to use the words 'smut' or 'erotic' but we're trying to move away from that. Also, “Romance” is too vague – some of that might well be fade to black and it's hard to translate intent. So be clear, use the tags we're defining.
2. List specific acts; the plots need to be kept clean and merely hint at the private message content. Either list a pairing and tag it or list a plot hook and tag it.
3. List 'heterosexual' 'lesbian' 'homosexual' or other orientation modifiers; try MxM or FxF or MxF instead – it lets you know the genders involved.
4. Use terms like 'futa' 'dom' 'sub' or others in that vein in the public listing.
2. List specific acts; the plots need to be kept clean and merely hint at the private message content. Either list a pairing and tag it or list a plot hook and tag it.
3. List 'heterosexual' 'lesbian' 'homosexual' or other orientation modifiers; try MxM or FxF or MxF instead – it lets you know the genders involved.
4. Use terms like 'futa' 'dom' 'sub' or others in that vein in the public listing.
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