Rule About Links To Other Sites

[SimonDoom]

I think I know the answer to this but I'm going to ask anyway.

I'm writing a fictional story about a woman who has an OnlyFans page. She would like to include a link to her OF page in the story, as a promotional matter. Is that allowed? I don't think it is, but I'm not sure, and I don't know where the rule is written at this Site.

Could this be done in a prologue to the story where I clearly state that the link is inserted with the approval and express permission of the owner of that OF page? Or would that still be forbidden?

What exactly is the fully stated rule on linking to other Sites, and what is the rationale for it?

 

[SimonDoom]

Thanks, Ruben.

What is the reason for having a hardline rule on this subject? Linking is extremely common, and usually not controversial. I would think that it would add value.

 

[oggbashan]

...
What exactly is the fully stated rule on linking to other Sites, and what is the rationale for it?

The rule is as stated. NO links. If there are any, the story will be rejected.

You can link within Lit.

Rationale? possibly to prevent authors from plugging lit rivals.

 

[desecration]

If this site allowed links, it would probably immediately be swamped in porn spammers.

 

[KeithD]

No links to fictional sites, either. I had a story rejected for using a URL I verified didn't go anywhere.

 

[SexualisPhantasia]

No links to fictional sites, either. I had a story rejected for using a URL I verified didn't go anywhere.

That seems kinda ridiculous

 

[windar]

Is mentioning other sites without linking to them allowed? Can one say "You can find more of my stories at ..."?

 

[KeithD]

Is mentioning other sites without linking to them allowed? Can one say "You can find more of my stories at ..."?

Not permitted in the story itself, no.

 

[lovecraft68]

Make up a site like only fans and mention it. I create fictional hook up sites all the time for a plot device.

Is there a reason you need a real link? I imagine you could just say "so and so has an only fans

Or, "Hey, follow me on only fans, I texted you the link."

Then have the character click the link, no need to provide one.

Or are you writing about a real person who wants you to schill her site through a story?

 

[KeithD]

That seems kinda ridiculous

But not subject to argument at Literotica.

 

[lovecraft68]

Is mentioning other sites without linking to them allowed? Can one say "You can find more of my stories at ..."?

You can do it on your lit bio page as far as paid sites, not sure about a competitor. But nothing is allowed in stories.

 

[Comshaw]

According to this Thread: Rejected story? What does it mean? What now? on the Editor's Forum,

Quite simply, you may not link off-site. ...

I understand that in most cases you can not link off-site, but consider this:

On the front page of Lit is a link to a list of recommended websites:

https://www.literotica.com/links.shtml

Since Lit is recommending and in effect advertising those sites, can they be mentioned or linked in a story or post?


Comshaw

 

[lovecraft68]

I understand that in most cases you can not link off-site, but consider this:

On the front page of Lit is a link to a list of recommended websites:

https://www.literotica.com/links.shtml

Since Lit is recommending and in effect advertising those sites, can they be mentioned or linked in a story or post?


Comshaw

They're sponsors, but I would still think no because it would cause more confusion with the rule.

 

[desecration]

No links to fictional sites, either. I had a story rejected for using a URL I verified didn't go anywhere.

Someone might register it in the future.

Sponsors might change over time.

It's a tough rule but, think about trying to search through twenty thousand stories to find illicit links, after the fact.

This might be a stupid idea -- I have many, but catch most of them -- but if you wanted to flesh out the website, maybe do a graphic mockup of the page and embed the image?

 

[Comshaw]

They're sponsors, but I would still think no because it would cause more confusion with the rule.

Yeah, that's kinda' what I thought to, but I figured I'd ask for clarity's sake. Another reason I asked is I have stories posted at one of those sites.

Comshaw

 

[oggbashan]

The AH can only quote the rule as it stands - no off-site links (real or fictional). For more definitive advice you would have to ask Laurel.

 

[SimonDoom]

Lots of good, helpful input here, as usual.

So, I won't link to her OnlyFans page, anywhere.

LC asked why I would. Because she wanted me to. I had to explain the Site probably wouldn't allow that.

So here are some follow-up questions:

1. There's no problem with mentioning "OnlyFans" in a Literotica story, right? Mentioning that a character has a page on that site, as long as no link is provided, correct? I mean, if it's in the body of the story, as far as anyone knew it would just be fictional, and part of the story, like mentioning the character worked at WalMart.

2. Would it be appropriate in a prologue to mention that the story, while completely fictional, refers to a real person who has a real OnlyFans page (but without any specific link to it)? The story would be written with the express approval and permission of the person in question.

3. Concerning the rule against fictional sites: I have seen some stories that seem to break this rule. In fact, I think I've published stories that break this rule. I made up fictional domain names (I checked that they were, indeed, fictional -- at least at the time). This strikes me as an odd rule, because what if your character is involved in online erotic activity, an obviously appropriate subject for a story here? Is the problem solved by simply eliminating the top-level domain (e.g., ".com")?

 

[ElectricBlue]

Lots of good, helpful input here, as usual.

So, I won't link to her OnlyFans page, anywhere.

LC asked why I would. Because she wanted me to. I had to explain the Site probably wouldn't allow that.

So here are some follow-up questions:

1. There's no problem with mentioning "OnlyFans" in a Literotica story, right? Mentioning that a character has a page on that site, as long as no link is provided, correct? I mean, if it's in the body of the story, as far as anyone knew it would just be fictional, and part of the story, like mentioning the character worked at WalMart.

2. Would it be appropriate in a prologue to mention that the story, while completely fictional, refers to a real person who has a real OnlyFans page (but without any specific link to it)? The story would be written with the express approval and permission of the person in question.

3. Concerning the rule against fictional sites: I have seen some stories that seem to break this rule. In fact, I think I've published stories that break this rule. I made up fictional domain names (I checked that they were, indeed, fictional -- at least at the time). This strikes me as an odd rule, because what if your character is involved in online erotic activity, an obviously appropriate subject for a story here? Is the problem solved by simply eliminating the top-level domain (e.g., ".com")?

I had a story bounced when I mentioned Tumblr. Replaced it with a generic reference to "my visual blog site," that was okay.

The only links allowed in Lit stories are to other Lit stories because they're self-contained and won't change over time.

I've had fake e-mail addresses in stories, but I made it obvious: Adam@notarealemailaddressdotxxx, that got through.

It's not like you to over-think stuff, Simon. Who gives a toss if this person has an Only Fans account? And if you mention she's a real person, that's going to get a bounce right from the start. Fake it up, it's fiction.

 

[SimonDoom]

It's not like you to over-think stuff, Simon. Who gives a toss if this person has an Only Fans account? .

This is news to me! I overthink things all the time. If it's worth thinking, it's worth overthinking.

But the reason is her preference. She would like to have her OF page mentioned, and if I had the option I would respect her wishes.

 

[ElectricBlue]

This is news to me! I overthink things all the time. If it's worth thinking, it's worth overthinking.

But the reason is her preference. She would like to have her OF page mentioned, and if I had the option I would respect her wishes.

Yes, but you usually arrive at a sensible conclusion fairly quickly.

But as we say here in Oz, the likelihood of getting a link to an off-site page is none and Buckley's.

 

[PennameWombat]

This is news to me! I overthink things all the time. If it's worth thinking, it's worth overthinking.

But the reason is her preference. She would like to have her OF page mentioned, and if I had the option I would respect her wishes.

I hate to say this, but there is one additional reason your request is problematic.

It would break Literotica's real business model.

I'm sure you're all well familiar with the streams of webcams along the tops and bottoms of every story page. Or, go to the front page and scroll down. You'll get to the Literotica Adult Cams - Free Preview Chat.

What you're asking totally bypasses that. Our stories are just chum in the Internet ocean, meant to bring the readers. I know not the financials, but sponsors (and that cam network is one) are where Literotica is making money. I mean, we don't pay to subscribe to post and readers don't pay to subscribe to read.

My guess is every cam associate working through the 'official' channel would kill to have stories that linked to them directly and bypassed whatever cut of their earnings is going to Literotica. Which is why it'll likely never happen.

Banning links in stories is an easy way to do that, and to block out competitors more broadly.

 

[Lovecraft_lore2]

I hate to say this, but there is one additional reason your request is problematic.

It would break Literotica's real business model.

I'm sure you're all well familiar with the streams of webcams along the tops and bottoms of every story page. Or, go to the front page and scroll down. You'll get to the Literotica Adult Cams - Free Preview Chat.

What you're asking totally bypasses that. Our stories are just chum in the Internet ocean, meant to bring the readers. I know not the financials, but sponsors (and that cam network is one) are where Literotica is making money. I mean, we don't pay to subscribe to post and readers don't pay to subscribe to read.

My guess is every cam associate working through the 'official' channel would kill to have stories that linked to them directly and bypassed whatever cut of their earnings is going to Literotica. Which is why it'll likely never happen.

Banning links in stories is an easy way to do that, and to block out competitors more broadly.

I could have sworn that long long ago, you could link to Persian Kitty from literotica, which in the 1990s was the master list of nude and adult sites. But at the time, Persian Kitty was making around $ one million per year in ad revenue. I would not be surprised if there was not some type of payment between the two sites.

 

[desecration]

Our stories are just chum in the Internet ocean, meant to bring the readers.

They're content, like anything else, and have their draw.

But sponsors aren't going to sign up if people can advertise non-paying sites.

 

[RejectReality]

Someone might register it in the future.

Sponsors might change over time.

It's a tough rule but, think about trying to search through twenty thousand stories to find illicit links, after the fact.

This. Real links can become defunct, which is a black mark with Google. Real links can be taken over by new people, and fake links could be registered by someone and you don't want something on your site linking to a Nazi recruitment site.

See old Nintendo hotline numbers that now connect to phone sex. LOL

This extends to things that aren't even in link form. If you so much as add .com or .net to a real or fictional website name, it will get the story bumped back to you. When caught, or reported after the fact, attempting to skirt around it by spelling out the dot com can also get the story kicked back.

 

[PennameWombat]

I could have sworn that long long ago, you could link to Persian Kitty from literotica, which in the 1990s was the master list of nude and adult sites. But at the time, Persian Kitty was making around $ one million per year in ad revenue. I would not be surprised if there was not some type of payment between the two sites.

If you go to the front page, Persian Kitty is still listed there under "Top Sites."

And that's part of my point, there are financial deals between these sites. Referrals are one way, i.e., 20% of our visitors came through Literotica, so, we'll pay you ... Not being a public company, Literotica has no duty to publish their financials.

But more to your point, these things change. If they allowed stories to link to TODAY'S sponsors, then what happens when the sponsor changes their model, new owners drop the relationship, the sponsor fails and malware vendors buy the URL, etc. If those links are in stories... it's ugly. If they did allow such, it was well before my time (which isn't that long here.)

And allowing links to non-sponsors is therefore completely out of bounds.