What is my History?
Your History is a list of every work that you've accessed while logged into the Archive of Our Own (AO3). This list is ordered by date, with more recently accessed works listed first. Below the work blurb, you'll find the date you last visited the work and how many times you've accessed it in total. You'll also find a summary of any updates made since your last visit. If you've used the Mark for Later feature on a work in your History, "Marked for Later" will also be displayed in parentheses. For more information on what this means, check out What is the Mark for Later feature?
The only works that won't show up in your History are the ones created by you. For help finding your own works on AO3, check out How can I find my published works?
Where can I find my History?
When you're logged in, select "My History" from the "Hi, [username]!" menu at the top of the page to access your History. If you're on your dashboard, you can also choose "History" in the navigation sidebar (found at the top of the page when you're using a mobile device). If you've turned your History off, then this menu item won't appear even if you're logged in. Check out How do I turn my History on or off? for more information.
If you're searching for a work you've marked for later, refer to How do I access works I've marked for later?
If you're looking for your own works instead, check out How can I find my published works?
How do I turn my History on or off?
Your History is enabled by default. You can turn your History on or off in your preferences.
If you turn your History off, you'll also no longer be able to access or add works to your Marked for Later list. Works that were in your History and Marked for Later will still be there if you turn your History back on, but any works you visited while the setting was disabled won't be listed. If you'd like to delete everything completely, make sure you clear your History before turning it off. Refer to How do I clear my entire History? for details on how to do this.
To turn your history on or off:
- When you're logged in, select "My Preferences" from the "Hi, [username]!" menu at the top of the page. If you're on your dashboard, you can also choose "Preferences" in the navigation sidebar (found at the top of the page when you're using a mobile device).
- Scroll down to the Misc section.
- To disable your History, uncheck the box next to "Turn on History." To enable it, check that box.
- Select the "Update" button at the bottom of the page.
- Updating your preferences will return you to your dashboard. You'll receive the confirmation message "Your preferences were successfully updated" towards the top of the page.
For more information about other preference options you can set, refer to the Preferences FAQ.
How do I clear my entire History?
Before you clear your History, keep in mind that it can't be undone. Doing so will also clear your Marked for Later list. If you'd like to clear your History but maintain a list of works to come back to later, you can create bookmarks for the works on your Marked for Later list. Refer to the Bookmarks FAQ for more information. If you'd like to keep your History but turn it off for a while, you can do that instead. Check out How do I turn my History on or off? for more information.
To clear your entire History:
- When you're logged in, select "My History" from the "Hi, [username]!" menu at the top of the page to access your History. If you're on your dashboard, you can also choose "History" in the navigation sidebar (found at the top of the page when you're using a mobile device).
- Select the "Clear History" button towards the top right of the page (or below the History heading on mobile).
- A pop-up box will ask you to confirm your decision. Select "OK" to continue.
- Your History page will be blank, and you'll receive the confirmation message "Your history is now cleared." towards the top of the page.
You can also delete works individually. For help doing that, check out How do I delete individual works from my History?.
How do I delete individual works from my History?
Before you delete works from your History, keep in mind that it will also delete them from your Marked for Later list. If you'd like keep a record of works to come back to later, you can bookmark them. Refer to the Bookmarks FAQ for more information.
To clear specific works from your History:
- When you're logged in, select "My History" from the "Hi, [username]!" menu at the top of the page to access your History. If you're on your dashboard, you can also choose "History" in the navigation sidebar (found at the top of the page when you're using a mobile device).
- Find the work you want to remove and select the "Delete from History" button below its blurb.
- The work will disappear, and you'll receive the confirmation message "Work successfully deleted from your history." towards the top of the page.
If you want to delete all works from your History, check out How do I clear my entire History? for instructions.
Can I search within my History?
There is currently no way for you to search within your History. You can use your browser's search function, but this will only show results from the page you're currently on, and not from your entire history log.
Can I sort and filter within my History?
Your History is ordered by date, with the works you've accessed the most recently at the top. There is currently no way for you to filter your history, search within your history, or change how it's sorted. You can use your browser's search function, but this will only show results from the page you're currently on, and not from your entire history log.
Can I download my History?
There is currently no way for you to download your History. However, there are some user-created tools that may help you download these works. Check out What tools can help with accessing and downloading works? for more information.
Why can't I find a work in my History?
If you're searching for a work that you just visited, it may need more time before it appears in your History. When these works appear, they'll be at the top of your History.
Works that have been deleted won't appear in your History. Instead, it will say "(Deleted work, last visited [date])."
Your own works also won't appear in your History. For help finding them, check out How can I find my published works?
What is the Mark for Later feature?
Mark for Later allows you to flag works you'd like to return to at another time. You must be logged into the Archive of Our Own (AO3) to use this feature. For more information, check out How do I add a work to my Marked for Later list? and Why is there no "Mark for Later" button on a work? If you would like to create an AO3 account so you can use this feature, refer to How do I create an account? and How do I get an invitation?
Once you've marked works for later, you'll find a random selection of three works from your Marked for Later list promoted on the AO3 Home page under the heading "Is it later already?" You can access the full list from your History page. Refer to How do I access works I've marked for later? for more information.
There are a few more ways that you can save works for later on AO3 depending on how you want to use them. Check out What is the difference between bookmarks, "Mark for Later", and subscriptions? for more information.
How do I add a work to my Marked for Later list?
When you're logged into the Archive of Our Own (AO3), the "Mark for Later" button will be located near the top of a work's page. When you select it, that work will be added to your Marked for Later list and the "Mark for Later" button will change to "Mark as Read". If you select the "Mark as Read" button on a work, the work will be removed from your Marked for Later list and the button text will change back to "Mark for Later". For more information, check out How do I remove a work from my "Marked for Later" list?
Who can access my History or Marked for Later lists?
Only you can access your History and Marked for Later lists. No one else can access either list, including site admins.
How do I access works I've marked for later?
You can access your Marked for Later list from your History page:
- When you're logged in, select "My History" from the "Hi, [username]!" menu at the top of the page to access your History. If you're on your dashboard, you can also choose "History" in the navigation sidebar (found at the top of the page when you're using a mobile device).
- Select the "Marked for Later" button towards the top right of the page on desktop (or below the History heading on mobile).
Once you have marked works for later, you'll also find a random selection of three works from your Marked for Later list promoted on the Archive of Our Own (AO3) Home page under the heading "Is it later already?" You can access any of the works listed by selecting the title link there.
Why is there no "Mark for Later" button on a work?
The Marked for Later feature is only available when you're logged in and have your History turned on. Refer to How do I turn my History on or off? for more details on this preference. If you're not logged in or have your History turned off, the "Mark for Later" and "Mark as Read" buttons won't appear on any work. These buttons will also never appear on your own works.
If you find a "Mark as Read" button rather than a "Mark for Later" button, then you've already added that work to your Marked for Later list. If you select the "Mark as Read" button, the work will be removed from your Marked for Later list and the button text will change back to "Mark for Later". For more information, check out How do I remove a work from my "Marked for Later" list?
If you'd like to create an Archive of Our Own (AO3) account so you can use this feature, check out How do I create an account? and How do I get an invitation?
Why is a work I just marked for later not in my list?
The works within your Marked for Later list are ordered by date, with more recently accessed works listed first, so when these works appear, they'll be at the top of your list. If a work isn't showing up after an hour, contact Support for assistance.
How do I remove a work from my Marked for Later list?
To remove a work from your Marked for Later list, navigate to the work's page and select the "Mark as Read" button at the top or bottom of the page. The work will be removed from your Marked for Later list but will remain in your History. You can add and remove a work from your Marked for Later list as often as you like. For help on how to add a work back to the list, refer to How do I add a work to my Marked for Later list?
To remove the work from your Marked for Later list and your History, you can select the "Delete from History" button in the work's blurb on your Marked for Later page, your History page, or below the blurb in the "Is it later already?" section on the Archive of Our Own (AO3) Home page. This is the only way to remove deleted works from your Marked for Later list. For more information on how to do this, check out How do I delete individual works from my History? It isn't currently possible to remove works from your History without also removing them from your Marked for Later list, as they're linked together. For more information, check out How do I clear my History but keep my Marked for Later list?
How do I clear my Marked for Later list?
It isn't currently possible to clear your Marked for Later list all at once without also deleting your History. If you'd like to clear both, check out How do I clear my entire History? for details.
You can also clear works from your Marked for Later list individually. For help on how to do this, check out How do I remove a work from my Marked for Later list?
How do I clear my History, but keep my Marked for Later list?
It isn't currently possible to clear your History without also clearing your Marked for Later list, as they're linked together. If you'd like to delete both, refer to How do I clear my entire History?
If you'd like to clear your History but maintain a list of works to come back to later, you can make bookmarks for the works on your Marked for Later list. Refer to the Bookmarks FAQ for more information.
Where can I get more information if my question isn't answered here?
Some frequently asked questions about the Archive are answered in other sections of the Archive FAQ, and some common terminology is defined in our Glossary. Questions and answers about our Terms of Service can be found in the Terms of Service FAQ. You may also like to check out our Known Issues. If you need more help, please submit a Support request.