Pickin Fights With Other Sites! Scribblehub Banzai! <(`^´)>

Assurbanipal_II

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1571873310296.png

Why do I have always to think about this when I am seeing this thread?

Forward, scribblers, victory awaits us!
 

Tony

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@Tony You should give this a read and let us know your thoughts about the future of SH.

Please and thank you. :blob_popcorn: :blob_hide:

@Ace_Arriande sounds right about RR. I don't know much about RR or how stuff works over there but advertisers do dislike mature content. At least the ones I've dealt with.

As for which route SH will take, I was never planning on placing advertisements on any story tagged as 'mature'. Would that be enough for the advertisers? I'm not sure but I hope so. I've already dealt with this on one of my sites and it's definitely annoying to deal with.

The problem is, should I start removing stories that are "too much" because I think my future advertisers will dislike it? Nope. I would rather just wait and be forced to remove them. I heard Google updated their policy (released on Sept 30) which has soften up their restrictions on these things but don't quote me on that as I haven't looked into it myself. Google is the main advertiser that I would be worry about.

I have no plans on adding advertisements anytime soon though. At least months before I even start to think about it. I'll need advertisements one day if I want the site to stay alive but I'm not really thinking much about it right now.
 

Ace_Arriande

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As for which route SH will take, I was never planning on placing advertisements on any story tagged as 'mature'. Would that be enough for the advertisers? I'm not sure but I hope so.
I'm pretty sure people have suggested this for Royal Road but it wasn't good enough, not to mention annoying, and it opens up the can of people who will say stuff like "but what's it matter if you can just disable ads on any story? It doesn't matter if advertisers don't like it because you can just not advertise on the story." I have no idea if the updated policy from Google affects this (and a lazy Google search didn't help me find anything out about it), but I would love if this was enough. Not putting advertisements on any story marked as mature might be a bit too wide, though. "Smut" would probably be a better one to blacklist from ads since not all mature stories are advertiser-unfriendly. I think it would be good to have some clarification regarding what is "adult" and what is "mature," too, because "adult" personally makes me think of something that is going to be less advertiser-friendly than mature does.

The problem is, should I start removing stories that are "too much" because I think my future advertisers will dislike it? Nope. I would rather just wait and be forced to remove them.
At least in RR's case, I believe they had to really begin proactively removing stories because they would get marks against them if it got to the point where they were "forced" to remove them. But yeah, depending on that policy update stuff, if it's possible to leave things up until you absolutely have to remove them then that would be awesome.

I have no plans on adding advertisements anytime soon though. At least months before I even start to think about it.
While it might not be an immediate issue, I'm concerned over future backlash because--right now--SH has a growing reputation for being a bastion of sorts for stories that are getting removed for being too erotic elsewhere. Stories that are too erotic for other websites are generally too erotic for a reason. Stories that get censored over just being sexual - I don't think those should be removed, but there are plenty of stories that get removed for what their sexual content is. If advertisers get implemented, and none of these stories get removed until they have to get removed, then that's going to be a lot of drama all at once that really blindsides the authors, especially if the site's reputation as a lewd shelter continues to grow. I know it might sound hypocritical of me to say this since I previously had the most-followed smut story on here and, at least according to my readers, am partially responsible for beginning or accelerating the erotic exodus to SH, but I really believe it would be best to try and enforce the guidelines more strictly before the site turns into Fringe Smut Hub. Unfortunately, I know just how time-consuming that is, and you're already busy as you said in Troll's thread. There isn't really any simple solution. Even so, implementing some sort of proactive system sooner rather than later would probably save you from a lot of trouble and drama in the future.

I would offer to help with moderating stories breaking sexual content guidelines, but I'm probably too strict with rules, and then that's really going to cause some drama = P.
 

YuriDoggo

Angery Doggo >ᴗ<
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I would honestly be fine with a lot of the lewd stories removed. Most of them are written purely for sex with no story to back them up and I don't care for them.

I wouldn't cry if Tony removed them.

To piggyback off what Ace said, I believe you should more clear define what is and is not acceptable, because right now, everything that isn't blatantly illegal goes. Even if it goes against your own rules:

You agree to not use the Service to submit or link to any Content which is defamatory, abusive, hateful, threatening, spam or spam-like, likely to offend, contains adult or objectionable content

Most of the lewd stories violate the last clause anyway.
 

Tony

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I'm pretty sure people have suggested this for Royal Road but it wasn't good enough, not to mention annoying, and it opens up the can of people who will say stuff like "but what's it matter if you can just disable ads on any story? It doesn't matter if advertisers don't like it because you can just not advertise on the story." I have no idea if the updated policy from Google affects this (and a lazy Google search didn't help me find anything out about it), but I would love if this was enough. Not putting advertisements on any story marked as mature might be a bit too wide, though. "Smut" would probably be a better one to blacklist from ads since not all mature stories are advertiser-unfriendly. I think it would be good to have some clarification regarding what is "adult" and what is "mature," too, because "adult" personally makes me think of something that is going to be less advertiser-friendly than mature does.

I was too lazy to look up the Google updated policy too so I can't really answer you right now. I was told about it from my ad manager (not from SH). You may be right about disabling all ads on all stories being mature would be too wide. I'll revisit it when the time comes.

While it might not be an immediate issue, I'm concerned over future backlash because--right now--SH has a growing reputation for being a bastion of sorts for stories that are getting removed for being too erotic elsewhere. Stories that are too erotic for other websites are generally too erotic for a reason. Stories that get censored over just being sexual - I don't think those should be removed, but there are plenty of stories that get removed for what their sexual content is. If advertisers get implemented, and none of these stories get removed until they have to get removed, then that's going to be a lot of drama all at once that really blindsides the authors, especially if the site's reputation as a lewd shelter continues to grow. I know it might sound hypocritical of me to say this since I previously had the most-followed smut story on here and, at least according to my readers, am partially responsible for beginning or accelerating the erotic exodus to SH, but I really believe it would be best to try and enforce the guidelines more strictly before the site turns into Fringe Smut Hub. Unfortunately, I know just how time-consuming that is, and you're already busy as you said in Troll's thread. There isn't really any simple solution. Even so, implementing some sort of proactive system sooner rather than later would probably save you from a lot of trouble and drama in the future.

I would offer to help with moderating stories breaking sexual content guidelines, but I'm probably too strict with rules, and then that's really going to cause some drama = P.

I don't mind the backslash and/or drama at all if and when it comes. It's pretty normal to receive backslash over any decision you make and I'm pretty used to it by now :blobthumbsup:. I'm not referring to SH as there hasn't been too much drama around here. I meant in general.

Personally, I don't mind the erotic stories as long as it's still within the content guidelines. I'm really only worry about the advertisements. I'll have to sit down and think of a better solution.

To piggyback off what Ace said, I believe you should more clear define what is and is not acceptable, because right now, everything that isn't blatantly illegal goes. Even if it goes against your own rules:

Most of the lewd stories violate the last clause anyway.

Did you take that from the forums? The forum is still using the default terms and rules which came installed with the forums :sweating_profusely:
 

Yorda

Villainess Yorda the Virtuous Flower of Evil
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Wow. This thread turned out really well and relevant to the site. All according to plan. (Hunches over and rubs hands together while smirking and laughing menacingly to self)

Things are getting pretty political here though! All according to plan.
I don't know where you're getting your numbers, but it's pretty good that SH has managed that many people in 0.75 years. From the chapter updates from the start of the site to now it is clear to see that the userbase is currently growing exponentially. Now is the time for me to hatch my evil plan and attempt to steal political power. Please don't tell anyone.
If anyone offers power, then I am still accepting. I just want power so that I can abuse it: it's not like I need it or anything. Nothing wrong with me... (Hunches over and rubs hands together while smirking and laughing menacingly to self)

advertisers do dislike mature content
As for which route SH will take, I was never planning on placing advertisements on any story tagged as 'mature'. Would that be enough for the advertisers? I'm not sure but I hope so. I've already dealt with this on one of my sites and it's definitely annoying to deal with.

The problem is, should I start removing stories that are "too much" because I think my future advertisers will dislike it? Nope. I would rather just wait and be forced to remove them. I heard Google updated their policy (released on Sept 30) which has soften up their restrictions on these things but don't quote me on that as I haven't looked into it myself. Google is the main advertiser that I would be worry about.
Succinctly summing it all up, eventually some action will be taken regarding boundary pushing site (erotic) material. Okay.

I have no plans on adding advertisements anytime soon though. At least months before I even start to think about it. I'll need advertisements one day if I want the site to stay alive but I'm not really thinking much about it right now.
I didn't know where would be best to make my request before, but this seems like a pretty good time to do so.

(1) In the future, can there be some kind of site donation button. For example, people can donate to authors with Patreon and Ko-fi, but why not have donations to the site. I realize there are all kinds of issues with this because maybe it would be treated like a business once scribblehub had actual income and had to pay income taxes. Taxes ...

(2) And can the site's operating expenses be explained in an easy to understand and transparent way to site users like me? See, I have no idea what running a website entails, especially a large one. I don't know what things cost money or how much it costs and I really wish somebody would explain these things to people like me on the donation page.

(3) Also, I strongly wish there was a site written guide for how to donate money to author's via Patreon and Ko-fi. The only reason why I haven't done so yet is that it seems troublesome to figure out how to do so. So if somebody could invest some time and write a simple guide, "This is how you donate money to authors via Patreon, Ko-fi, etc. This is how these sites operate. This is how authors set up their accounts and how much it costs. This is how readers pay/donate. This is where your money goes. This is how much is actually received by the author." As a side note, I hate paypal.

(4) I hate things like paypal and I think that some of those donation sites take a cut of the donations the author receives. Is there any other alternative payment form for donations to authors that could benefit scribblehub more? Like perhaps it's own donation/payment system, not for profit though, just donations, because it would really suck if some stories/chapters went behind a paywall, which would pretty much destroy all love I have for this story. Leave that shit to those money grubbing evil sites. Simply, I wish there was a very easy way, a way that feels secure, for me to donate money to people.

I know it might sound hypocritical of me to say this since I previously had the most-followed smut story on here and, at least according to my readers, am partially responsible for beginning or accelerating the erotic exodus to SH, but I really believe it would be best to try and enforce the guidelines more strictly before the site turns into Fringe Smut Hub.
Fringe Smut Hub doesn't sound too bad ... but that's because my threshold for smut is pretty non-existent. It might be bad though if this site turned completely degenerate where all the stories were smut. I'm only wondering about whether that would affect stories like mine where there isn't anything sexual going on. Boundary pushing smut is probably not so okay for younger audiences/users of the site.

I would honestly be fine with a lot of the lewd stories removed. Most of them are written purely for sex with no story to back them up and I don't care for them. To piggyback off what Ace said, I believe you should more clear define what is and is not acceptable, because right now, everything that isn't blatantly illegal goes.
It's the wild west here! And I frankly don't mind! As long as it's like you said and nothing blatantly crosses the line making me wonder if some kind of investigation take-down or legal warning is given to the site, everything's good to me.
 
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Ace_Arriande

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I don't mind the backslash and/or drama at all if and when it comes. It's pretty normal to receive backslash over any decision you make and I'm pretty used to it by now :blobthumbsup:.
Fair enough! It's always nice to try and minimize it, though.

I'm really only worry about the advertisements. I'll have to sit down and think of a better solution.
Obviously, instead of worrying about advertisers, you just have to implement a premium service that lets us authors pay $100 a month in exchange for everybody being forced to look at our stories.

Personally, I don't mind the erotic stories as long as it's still within the content guidelines.
o7
I'll try to report any stories I learn of that blatantly break the content guidelines from now on to help out.

Wow. This thread turned out really well and relevant to the site. All according to plan. (Hunches over and rubs hands together while smirking and laughing menacingly to self)
:blob_nom:
 

Yorda

Villainess Yorda the Virtuous Flower of Evil
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I'll try to report any stories I learn of that blatantly break the content guidelines from now on to help out.
I report nothing unless it's really bad. Like something that makes me go, "Don't link that media from a porno site to your story that might be viewed by underaged people! OMFG."

Under more normal conditions I would just PM an author and say, "Heyo. I think your story toes the line in chapter ____ for sexual content very specifically because ____. I don't care, but in the future (not now) you may need to censor that material due to site policy and underaged people who may view your possibly mistagged story. (Link to site policy) Times might change in a year or two. The keyword being 'might". Great story. Probably turned me on. Sorry to bother you. Zee end."
 

YuriDoggo

Angery Doggo >ᴗ<
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I keep forgetting the rules for the forums and main site is different. Ignore my line about rule breaking, but the rest stands.
 

Arexio

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Wow. This thread turned out really well and relevant to the site. All according to plan. (Hunches over and rubs hands together while smirking and laughing menacingly to self)

Things are getting pretty political here though! All according to plan.
Lol. We may or may not have discussed all of this a bit on the Discord before moving back here on the forums. Speaking of which, I'm surprised you're not on there - seeing how active you are on the forums. :blob_hide:

Fringe Smut Hub
El oh el :blob_ghost:
 

BenJepheneT

Light Up Gold - Parquet Courts
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From what my three minute wheel-scroll reading told me, the site's either gonna go (1) advertiser-friendly and start cracking down on questionable loli stories, (2) stay as the wild west for incels to post their japanese-esque sex stories involving very childlike characters, or (3, which I really hope would be the case) start placing metal detectors over those damn doors with a team of handpicked individuals enforcing some story-terms-and-rules.

I for one enjoy those borderline illegal loli dragon lord hentais but it's great to see something being done to improve the site. :blobthumbsup:

RR has started becoming really hostile to LGBT works (refusal to have a tag because “it’d all be smut”, refusal to remove hate reviews from homophobes and nazis), so I’ve switched full on to SH until further notice.

all the more reason to stay and watch this great kingdom grow
 

Yorda

Villainess Yorda the Virtuous Flower of Evil
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It's like I suddenly exacerbated the SH erotica apocalypse unintentionally.
This wasn't the apocalypse I was aiming for. Rats.

(3, which I really hope would be the case) start placing metal detectors over those damn doors with a team of handpicked individuals enforcing some story-terms-and-rules.
Secret police. I already see a path for my rise to power. Going through the ranks of the secret police I'll eventually pick up blackmail material. Then when scribblehub gets intertwined with dirty money I'll extort. Finally, I'll become one of the corrupt Russian ... I mean very respectable scribblehub oligarchs and keep rolling in the profits until the google monarchy sanctions me.

I for one enjoy those borderline illegal loli dragon lord hentais but it's great to see something being done to improve the site. :blobthumbsup:
Thank you for being honest. I for one enjoy ... ummmmm ... ummmmm ...
I love lolis that look really frail but actually strong and gay af.
Yeah. Let's go with that. It's still the funniest comment on SHF and still my favourite, hands down.

Lol. We may or may not have discussed all of this a bit on the Discord before moving back here on the forums. Speaking of which, I'm surprised you're not on there - seeing how active you are on the forums. :blob_hide:

I don't like discord for some reason. Rather than use an external website I'm just going to keep posting obsessively on SHF.
 
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Assurbanipal_II

Empress of the Four Corners of the World
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It's like I suddenly exacerbated the SH erotica apocalypse unintentionally.
This wasn't the apocalypse I was aiming for. Rats.




Thank you for being honest. I for one enjoy ... ummmmm ... ummmmm ...

Yeah. Let's go with that. It's still the funniest comment on SHF and my favourite, hands down.



I don't like discord for some reason. Rather than use an external website I'm just going to keep posting obsessively on SHF.

:blob_teary: You said scribblehub banzai. So, what did I do wrong? Wasn't a frontal assault what you planned? We only lost a few thousand to the machine guns.
 

Zero300

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When you said 'picking a fight with other sites', I literally thought you meant that we should make a multi-site forum game where each site is like a guild/faction or something and we write short stories detailing our adventures/interactions against the other sites...all within the rules of the writing universe.
 

BenJepheneT

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When you said 'picking a fight with other sites', I literally thought you meant that we should make a multi-site forum game where each site is like a guild/faction or something and we write short stories detailing our adventures/interactions against the other sites...all within the rules of the writing universe.
How about you do that and we follow suit? Pioneer this shit. Make history.
 

Zero300

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How about you do that and we follow suit? Pioneer this shit. Make history.
I could maybe provide an example of what combat could be like but the question is...anyone willing or interested in playing?
 

Zero300

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How about you do that and we follow suit? Pioneer this shit. Make history.
One word = 1 HP --> 50k words = 50k HP
A giant monster enemy will be composed of different words at different key areas of the monster’s body. The objective is simple. Write a certain number of words to ‘cross out’ a word on the monster’s body. The number of words to write corresponds with the number of letters that make up the word multiply by a factor of 100. Not to mention, the words must be a short story about the word in question.

For instance, if the word is “mozzarella”, then a player would write 1000 words about mozzarella.

Level of Difficulty = Monster Level
Example: the word is “kraken”
  • Level 1 --> Write 600 words about anything; no consistency required. Must include the word ‘kraken’.
  • Level 2 --> Write 600 words story; consistency required. Must include the word ‘kraken’.
  • Level 3 --> Write 600 words story about kraken(s).
  • Level 4 --> Write 600 words story about kraken(s). Genre must be ______.
  • Level 5 --> Write 600 words story about kraken(s). Genre must be ______. Cannot use letter __.
As players level up, they will gain/buy different abilities (No need to worry about this for now). 1 EXP gained = 1000 words written. To get from level 0 to level 1, 10 EXP is needed. To get from level 1 to level 2, 20 EXP is needed…and so forth.
 

Arexio

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I don't like discord for some reason. Rather than use an external website I'm just going to keep posting obsessively on SHF.
Ah well, if you ever change your mind, tag me when you enter and I'll welcome you to the SH discord. :blob_highfive:
 
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