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We have a few new updates on the tagging system! These differences are more subjective, and depend more on the content of the works, so it's highly encouraged to tag your fics accordingly for accurate filtering. As is our standard policy, you are not required to use archive formatting, but it is still highly encouraged to make your tags clear enough that they can be sorted according to the guidelines.
First: We've divided AUs into two subcategories. One is "Setting Change" and the other is "Modified Canon." The main difference between the two is that the latter uses canon as a base, and makes changes to it, whereas the former takes some type of new setting and adapts the characters and possibly events to it.
The easiest way to know which tag to use: if you were introducing a new character, would the 'default' version be the canon version of them (or fairly similar), or an alternate version of them? Another method: if you were to describe your AU, would you describe the ways in which you change the canon universe, or describe how you'd change the characters to fit the new setting?
For more info, we have a more in-depth explanation in the FAQ. Please only use the dedicated Alternate Universe version of a tag if neither Modified Canon or Setting Change fits.
Second: We are also dividing three-person polycule ships into two categories: V-shaped and Triad. V-shaped polycules are where one person is romantically and/or sexually involved with two people, who are not romantically or sexually involved with each other. A triad is a polycules of three people who are all sexually and/or romantically involved with each other in some way.
The format is Triad - [relationship] or V-Shaped - [relationship]
Any group of three characters will only have an umbrella poly tag, a triad tag, and one v-shaped tag. People will expect that whatever character is in the center of a v-shaped ship is the one romantically and/or sexually involved with the two others.
While poly relationships of 4+ characters do not have specified and divided tagging formats, due to more possible combinations, it's still encouraged to specify who is dating who in the relationship! N-shaped polyamory has a tag (4+ people, with no triads within the group), and other forms of poly relationships will get tags as the archive grows.
Additionally, for relationship tags, modifiers within the relationship tag include: Past, Implied/Referenced, Mentioned/Background, One-Sided, and Temporary. Any freeform tags specifying a relationship modifier will be moved to relationships.
Like with all tags, your tags will only be edited if they are ambiguous, or if they are the first tag of a new canonical.
These changes are to disambiguate relationship tags and alternate universe tags. Similar to character tags, AUs and ships can take many forms. We hope for you to be able to filter accurately, as well as for readers to be able to find and read your work. It's with this goal in mind that we make changes like these. If you have any questions, feedback, comments, suggestions, or concerns, we would love to hear it.