What is a Subscription and what does it track?
A subscription is a way to track new content posted on Archive of Our Own. You can use subscriptions to track updates for individual users, individual works, and series. When you've subscribed to a user, you'll receive email notifications that contain links to new works or chapters they've posted. When you subscribe to an individual work or series, you'll receive email notifications that contain links to new chapters or installments that are a part of that work or series. We're continuing to develop this feature.
How can I manage my subscriptions?
When you're logged in, select the greeting "Hi, [user name]!" and choose "My Subscriptions" from the navigation menu. If you're on your Dashboard, you can also access it by choosing "Subscriptions" in the navigation menu to the left in the default site skin or at the top on mobile browsers. On your Subscriptions page you'll find a list of users and works to which you're subscribed. Each work or series is displayed as a link that will take you to the work’s page. Each user is displayed as a link that will take you to their Dashboard. You can also unsubscribe from users, works or series on this page by selecting the "Unsubscribe" button next to each entry.
There is a sorting system which allows you to limit your list to "Series Subscriptions", "User Subscriptions" or "Work Subscriptions", so you can more easily find what you want. The buttons for filtering subscriptions are located at the top of the My Subscriptions page in the default site skin.
How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a user?
You subscribe to a user from their dashboard (archiveofourown.org/users/USERNAME). Select the "Subscribe" button to start receiving emails when this user posts a new chapter or work. This will allow you to receive email notifications no matter which pseud the user has posted a work under. For more information about how pseuds work, check out What is a pseud?
When you're subscribed to a user, their dashboard page will show an "Unsubscribe" button near the top of the page. Select this to unsubscribe and stop receiving emails. You can also unsubscribe from users on the My Subscriptions page by selecting "Unsubscribe from [user name]". An unsubscribe link is also available at the bottom of all subscription emails.
For more information on managing your subscriptions, please check out How can I manage my subscriptions?
How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a work or series?
Navigate to the work or series page you wish to subscribe to and select the "Subscribe" button near the top of the page to start receiving emails when a new chapter or installment is posted.
When you're subscribed to a work or series, the "Subscribe" button near the top of the page will change to an "Unsubscribe" button. Select this to unsubscribe and stop receiving emails. You can also unsubscribe on the My Subscriptions page by selecting "Unsubscribe from [work title]". An unsubscribe link is also available at the bottom of all subscription emails.
For more information on managing your subscriptions, please check out How can I manage my subscriptions?
Can I subscribe to Collections or Challenges?
Not currently.
For more information about collections, check out the Collections FAQ.
Can I keep track of subscriptions without getting emails?
At present subscriptions are an email-only service.
To learn about other ways you can enjoy and keep track of works on Archive of Our Own (AO3), check out the Search and Browse FAQ, the Accessing Fanworks FAQ, the Bookmarks FAQ, the History and Mark for Later FAQ, and the Downloading Fanworks FAQ.
How do email notifications get sent out for subscriptions?
Email notifications are sent out in batches periodically. If a work, series or user you're subscribed to updates once in that period, you'll receive one email containing a link to the update. If a work, series or user you're subscribed to updates rapidly, you'll receive one email containing links to all of the updates.
Please note some email systems may filter the subscription emails into the spam folder. All subscription emails come from [email protected] and you can whitelist this address to avoid losing emails. Please consult your email provider's help files to understand how to whitelist an address.
For more information on how to subscribe to a user, please go to How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a user? For more information on how to subscribe to a work or series, please go to How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a work or series?
What is a feed and what does it track?
A feed is a way to create your own "news-page" that will collect updates from various tags in one place. You can use a feed to subscribe to most canonical tags, including metatags, relationship tags, and character tags, but not additional (freeform) tags. You'll get all the works connected to the tag in your feed because the canonical tag collects all synonyms of the tag—for example the synonym #SPN tag and the canonical Supernatural tag—together. However, if something changes and the tag you've subscribed to is no longer marked as canonical, your feed will still work, but the tag will no longer collect synonym tags together. A feed will only update when the work is originally posted; it will not provide notifications for works that have been updated by the creator. A feed can be collected in either a dedicated feed reader for personal use, or can be syndicated on sites like Livejournal, Dreamwidth, and Tumblr, which anyone can follow. You can't get email notifications directly from Archive of Our Own (AO3) for any tag.
For more information about canonical tag(s), refer to What is a ‘canonical’ tag?
How do I set up a feed reader?
Some browsers have standard, integrated feed readers which can be accessed right from the browser's menu. Most browsers can use add-on feed readers as an alternative to the standard features, as well, but some browsers need add-ons, or extensions, in order to use feeds. There are also online feed readers and app feed readers which aren't associated with any browser. Choosing a feed reader mostly comes down to personal preference. The only requirement to access Archive of Our Own (AO3) feeds is that it supports the Atom feed format. Please note that all feed readers work differently. The help files of your feed reader can help you with any problems you are having getting started.
Once you have chosen and downloaded or activated a feed reader you'd like to use, you just need to subscribe to the tag(s) of your choosing. Refer to the How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a feed? question to learn how to do this.
Please keep in mind that AO3 doesn't control how users choose to tag their works, and any works connected to the tag will show up in your feed.
For more information about canonical tag(s), refer to What is a ‘canonical’ tag?
How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a feed?
To add a subscription to your feed reader, simply select a tag—for example, the Naruto fandom tag—then select the "RSS Feed" button, which can be found on the top right of the tag's page in the default skin. For browser-integrated feed readers, usually you just select the "RSS Feed" button on the tag's page and you'll be prompted to subscribe. With online feed readers, it may be necessary to copy the feed's URL into an "add feed" search box on your feed reader. The feed's URL is provided in the page that opens when you select the "RSS Feed" button.
If you think you'd like to use a feed reader but need more information, please go to How do I set up a feed reader?
To subscribe to a syndicated feed on another website, such as LiveJournal, Dreamwidth, or Tumblr, you'll need to search for the feed you are interested in, then follow or subscribe to the blog or journal. LiveJournal and Dreamwidth both have help files concerning feeds, and they both have easy search options for finding existing feeds. On Tumblr just search for an existing feed blog that you’re interested in, then follow the blog and you'll get all the works for that tag on your Tumblr Dashboard.
Unsubscribing from a feed will have to be done from your feed reader or the site you used. Consult the help files of your feed reader or the site you used to learn how to do this.
Please keep in mind that syndications are user created and hosted on other sites. They aren't managed or filtered by any Archive team. Archive of Our Own (AO3) also doesn't control how users choose to tag their works and any work connected to the tag will show up in your feed.
For more information about Feeds and Syndication on LiveJournal, Dreamwidth, Tumblr or any site you've chosen, please consult their help files.
How do I set up a syndicated feed if one doesn't exist for my fandom?
If you've searched the site you'd like to use and a syndicated feed doesn't already exist for the tag you'd like to subscribe to, you can create one. Please refer to How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a feed? for instructions on how to search for feeds. There are many sites that support syndication, and every site will have different requirements or steps for syndication.
For more information about Feeds and Syndication on LiveJournal, Dreamwidth, Tumblr, or any site you've chosen, please consult their help files.
Please keep in mind that syndications are user-created and hosted on other sites. They aren't managed or filtered by any Archive team. Archive of Our Own (AO3) also doesn't control how users choose to tag their works and any work connected to the tag will show up in your feed.
Can I subscribe to or create a feed using metatags?
Yes. Please be aware, when subscribing to a metatag that includes a lot of subtags, that you'll get updates for all of the tags associated with the metatag. For example, subscribing to the Marvel fandom tag will then include Captain America (Movies), X-Men: First Class (2011), Marvel 616, Iron Man (Comics), and other tags which have been linked to the metatag.
Please refer to How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a feed? for instructions on how to subscribe to feeds. Or refer to How do I set up a syndicated feed if one doesn't exist for my fandom? for instructions on how to create feeds.
Please keep in mind that syndications are user created and hosted on other sites. They aren't managed or filtered by any Archive team. Archive of Our Own (AO3) also doesn't control how users choose to tag their works and any work connected to the tag will show up in your feed.
For more information about metatags, refer to What is a metatag?
For more information about tags, you can check out Tutorial: Tags on the AO3.
Can I subscribe to or create a feed using relationship tags?
Yes. This feed will work just like any other and will be updated with all of the works connected to the relationship tag and all variations which have been linked to the relationship tag.
Please refer to How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a feed? for instructions on how to subscribe to feeds. Alternatively, refer to How do I set up a syndicated feed if one doesn't exist for my fandom? for instructions on how to create feeds.
Please keep in mind that syndications are user created and hosted on other sites. They aren't managed or filtered by any Archive team. Archive of Our Own (AO3) also doesn't control how users choose to tag their works, and any work connected to the tag will show up in your feed.
For more information about tags, check out Tutorial: Tags on the AO3.
Can I subscribe to or create a feed using character tags?
Yes. This feed will work just like any other and will be updated with all of the works connected to the character tag and all variations which have been linked to the character tag.
Please refer to How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a feed? for instructions on how to subscribe to feeds. Alternatively, refer to How do I set up a syndicated feed if one doesn't exist for my fandom? for instructions on how to create feeds.
Please keep in mind that syndications are user created and hosted on other sites. They aren't managed or filtered by any Archive team. Archive of Our Own (AO3) also doesn't control how users choose to tag their works and any work connected to the tag will show up in your feed.
For more information about tags, check out Tutorial: Tags on the AO3.
Can I subscribe to or create a feed using additional (freeform) tags?
No, it's not possible to subscribe to or create a feed for the additional tags, also known as freeform tags, that you find on Archive of Our Own (AO3).
For more information about tags, check out Tutorial: Tags on the AO3.
Can I subscribe to or create a filtered feed?
No. It's not possible, for example, to create a feed which will collect only works tagged Spock/Nyota Uhura which are set in the Star Trek: Alternate Original Series (Movies) fandom tag (the reboot). You'll get all works tagged with the "Spock/Nyota Uhura" relationship tag, and any variations which have been linked to this tag, in your feed. Even if you select "RSS Feed" on a page with filtered search results for your chosen tag, you will still get all works included in, and connected to, the tag.
Please refer to How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a feed? for instructions on how to subscribe to feeds. Or refer to How do I set up a syndicated feed if one doesn't exist for my fandom? for instructions on how to create feeds.
Will I get emails or feed notifications for unrevealed or anonymous works?
Unrevealed works are works that have been posted but are hidden from view. If someone you are subscribed to posts an unrevealed work, then you won't receive a subscription notification until it's revealed. Previously unrevealed works may not show up in feeds even when they're revealed, due to the date of posting having already passed.
Anonymous works are works that are posted with the byline 'by Anonymous', with their creator's username hidden. If someone you're subscribed to posts an anonymous work, then you won't receive a subscription notification unless they later de-anonymize it. However, anonymous works will appear in a feed, under the creator name "Anonymous".
Please refer to How do I subscribe to or unsubscribe from a user? for instructions on how to subscribe to users.
Will I get emails or feed notifications for restricted works?
Restricted works are those that have their permissions set so that only logged-in Archive users can view them. Email notifications will still be sent for restricted works if you are subscribed to the work, series, or creator, but they are not included in feeds.
Please refer to How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a user? for instructions on how to subscribe to users. Refer to How do I subscribe to, or unsubscribe from, a work or series? for instructions on how to subscribe to a work or series.
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.