Understanding AO3 View Counts: How Are They Calculated?
Learn how AO3 counts views for works and what it means for readers and authors alike.
209 views
AO3 counts a view each time a unique visitor accesses a work. This means repetitive visits by the same user within a certain timeframe usually don't add multiple views. Thus, the view count reflects the number of distinct readers, not the number of times a work is accessed.
FAQs & Answers
- What is AO3? AO3, or Archive of Our Own, is a popular fanfiction hosting platform where users can post and read fan-created works.
- Can an author's view count change? Yes, the view count can change as new distinct visitors access the work, while repeated views from the same user within a timeframe typically do not affect the count.
- Why are unique views important for authors? Unique views provide authors insight into how many different readers are engaging with their work, which can help gauge its popularity.
- How does AO3 ensure accurate view counting? AO3 utilizes unique visitor tracking to ensure that view counts reflect the number of distinct users accessing a work over repetitive visits.