What Does the Blue Lock Icon Mean on AO3 (Archive of Our Own)?
Learn why the blue lock on AO3 means a work is restricted to registered users and how it controls content visibility on Archive of Our Own.
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On AO3 (Archive of Our Own), the blue lock icon indicates that a work is restricted to registered users only. This means you must be logged into an AO3 account to view the content. Creators often use this setting to limit the visibility of their works to a community that's logged in, adding a layer of privacy or control over who can see their creations.
FAQs & Answers
- Why do some AO3 works have a blue lock icon? The blue lock icon on AO3 indicates that the work is restricted to registered users only, meaning you must be logged in to view it.
- How can I view AO3 works with a blue lock? To view AO3 works marked with a blue lock, you need to create an AO3 account and log in, as these works are restricted to registered users.
- What purpose does the blue lock serve on AO3? The blue lock helps creators control the visibility of their works by limiting access to members of the AO3 community who are logged in.