What does 'sweep' mean?

[LucilleCF]

Hi, I'm back!

I have a question. I have seen several users refer to something called 'the sweep' when talking about ratings. I vaguely understand it to have something to do with removing 1 star ratings (I've seen my rating for my first story rise while the number of ratings went down), but I don't really understand how it works.


Also, shower thought: wouldn't it be nice if readers were forced to leave feedback if they rated a story below 3 stars? It would weed out all the people who are just being spiteful for no good reason, and encourage conscientious readers to give the author some useful criticisms about their writing.

I already know that this wouldn't work, but I can dream can't I?

 

[oggbashan]

A 'sweep' is an automated system that reviews votes recorded against a story and removes any considered dubious e.g. multiple votes on a single story from one IP, multiple 1 votes in a short time.

How it works is not revealed or discussed to try to prevent people gaming the system.

During a contest, like Summer Lovin' now on, there are more sweeps than usual, ending with a massive one just before the winners are announced.

Sweeps can affect ALL stories, not just the recent ones, but are less likely to affect older stories because they will have been swept several times in the past. If there has been a recent troll campaign against your works that might be removed by a sweep. If you think you have been the target of such a campaign you can ask Laurel for a sweep of your works.

If a story has a large number of votes the effect of a sweep is unlikely to be significant but if you have a small number, the rating might change noticeably.

 

[LucilleCF]

Thanks oggbashan!

 

[Inkhorn]

Hi, I'm back!

Also, shower thought: wouldn't it be nice if readers were forced to leave feedback if they rated a story below 3 stars? It would weed out all the people who are just being spiteful for no good reason, and encourage conscientious readers to give the author some useful criticisms about their writing.

I already know that this wouldn't work, but I can dream can't I?

An interesting idea, but I’m not sure my ego could take it. You could well end up with more negative comments than favourable ones. One could argue for the notion that everyone who rates a story also has to give feedback, but that might discourage readers from rating at all. (Just my 2 cents.)

 

[ElectricBlue]

An interesting idea, but I’m not sure my ego could take it. You could well end up with more negative comments than favourable ones. One could argue for the notion that everyone who rates a story also has to give feedback, but that might discourage readers from rating at all. (Just my 2 cents.)

Given that you might get one comment per thousand views, and one vote per hundred, readers are hardly "encouraged" in the first place. Feedback is rare unless you write very very well or very very badly - then you know.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Sweeps target all spurious votes. If a fan has tried to improperly help you out with multiple 5*s, those too tend to get lost. Laurel - correctly, I think - discourages discussion on how sweeps work as it might give our bottom-dwelling tolls ways to get around them.

I like your writing, Lucille. Stay out of the LW fight club and I think your scores will do much better, sweeps or no sweeps.

 

[Inkhorn]

Given that you might get one comment per thousand views, and one vote per hundred, readers are hardly "encouraged" in the first place. Feedback is rare unless you write very very well or very very badly - then you know.

An excellent point!

 

[SimonDoom]

The best rule is to impose as few rules on what readers have to do as possible, and to expect authors to come to terms with whatever results. The exception to that is Laurel's policy of using sweeps to limit the ability of readers to make phony votes.

 

[LucilleCF]

I like your writing, Lucille. Stay out of the LW fight club and I think your scores will do much better, sweeps or no sweeps.

Thanks!

Sorry if it sounded like I was moaning about the low rating on my latest story. After the first one, I expected the response I'm getting right now. The 'sweep' thing was on my mind last time I was here, so I just wanted someone to clarify it for me.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Thanks!

Sorry if it sounded like I was moaning about the low rating on my latest story. After the first one, I expected the response I'm getting right now. The 'sweep' thing was on my mind last time I was here, so I just wanted someone to clarify it for me.

Ohhhhh you’ve submitted two stories and they’re both in Loving Wives? No wonder you’re feeling the pain. Brave of you, inadvertently or not - but you are not alone. Take s look at the rating on my “White Wedding” (Loving Wives) vs my other stories. It happens to us all.....

 

[mynameisben]

What does sweep mean?

sweep verb
\ ˈswēp \
swept\ ˈswept \; sweeping
Definition of sweep (Entry 1 of 2)
transitive verb

1a: to remove from a surface with or as if with a broom or brush
swept the crumbs from the table
b: to destroy completely : WIPE OUT —usually used with away
everything she cherished, might be swept away overnight
— Louis Bromfield
c: to remove or take with a single continuous forceful action
swept the books off the desk
d: to remove from sight or consideration
the problem can't be swept under the rug
e: to drive or carry along with irresistible force
a wave of protest that swept the opposition into office
2a: to clean with or as if with a broom or brush
b: to clear by repeated and forcible action
c: to move across or along swiftly, violently, or overwhelmingly
fire swept the business district
— Amer. Guide Series: Md.
d: to win an overwhelming victory in or on
sweep the elections
e: to win all the games or contests of
sweep a double-header
sweep a series
3: to touch in passing with a swift continuous movement
4: to trace or describe the locus or extent of (something, such as a line, circle, or angle)
5: to cover the entire range of
his eyes swept the horizon
intransitive verb

1a: to clean a surface with or as if with a broom
b: to move swiftly, forcefully, or devastatingly
the wind swept through the treetops
2: to go with stately or sweeping movements
proudly swept into the room
3: to move or extend in a wide curve or range
sweep one off one's feet
: to gain immediate and unquestioning support, approval, or acceptance by a person
sweep the board or sweep the table
1: to win all the bets on the table
2: to win everything : beat all competitors
sweep noun
Definition of sweep (Entry 2 of 2)
1: something that sweeps or works with a sweeping motion: such as
a: a long pole or timber pivoted on a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well
b: a triangular cultivator blade that cuts off weeds under the soil surface
c: a windmill sail
2a: an instance of sweeping
especially : a clearing out or away with or as if with a broom
b: the removal from the table in one play in casino of all the cards by pairing or combining
c: an overwhelming victory
d: a winning of all the contests or prizes in a competition
e: a wide-ranging search of an area (as by police)
3a: a movement of great range and force
b: a curving or circular course or line
c: the compass of a sweeping movement : SCOPE
d: a broad unbroken area or extent
a sweep of wildflowers
e: an end run in football in which one or more linemen pull back and run interference for the ballcarrier
4: CHIMNEY SWEEP
5: SWEEPSTAKES
6: obliquity with respect to a reference line
sweep of an airplane wing
especially : SWEEPBACK
7sweeps plural : a television ratings period during which surveys are taken to determine advertising rates
Illustration of sweep
Illustration of sweep
Noun

sweep 1a

In the meaning defined above

Other Words from sweep
Synonyms & Antonyms
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Synonyms & Antonyms for sweep
Synonyms: Verb

bowl, breeze, brush, coast, cruise, drift, flow, glide, roll, sail, skim, slide, slip, stream, whisk
Synonyms: Noun

ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confines, dimension(s), extent, range, reach, realm, scope, width
Antonyms: Verb

flounder, struggleVisit the Thesaurus for More
Choose the Right Synonym for sweep
Noun

RANGE, GAMUT, COMPASS, SWEEP, SCOPE, ORBIT mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). RANGE is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities. the entire range of human experience GAMUT suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another. a performance that ran the gamut of emotions COMPASS implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity. your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study SWEEP suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity. the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity SCOPE is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible. as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened ORBIT suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation. within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Examples of sweep in a Sentence
Verb

He swept the dirt off the driveway.
He swept the crumbs from the table.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

With Jaquelin Roy now on board, LSU has a chance to sweep the recruitment of the top two defensive tackles in the class in Louisiana.
— al, "The Southern 120: Counting down Nos. 11-30 of the South’s top Class of 2020 recruits," 21 Aug. 2019
Many Sudanese hope to sweep away the vestiges of al-Bashir’s period of rule, when Sudan endured numerous internal revolts, became an international pariah, and was subjected to US sanctions.
— Declan Walsh, BostonGlobe.com, "Saudis paid $90 million to Sudan’s ex-leader, officer says in al-Bashir trial," 19 Aug. 2019
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sweep.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sweep
Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for sweep
Verb

Middle English swepen; akin to Old English swāpan to sweep, Old High German sweifen to wander

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Resources for sweep
Dictionary Entries near sweep
sweel

Sweelinck

Sweeney layout

sweep

sweepage

sweep aside

sweep away

Phrases Related to sweep
clean sweep

sweep (someone) off his/her feet

sweep (something) under the carpet

sweep (something) under the rug

sweep aside

sweep away

sweep out

sweep up

sweeping victory

Statistics for sweep
Last Updated

26 Aug 2019

Look-up Popularity

Top 40% of words

Time Traveler for sweep The first known use of sweep was in the 14th century
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More Definitions for sweep
sweep verb
English Language Learners Definition of sweep (Entry 1 of 2)
: to remove (something, such as dust or dirt) from a surface with a broom or brush or with a quick movement of your hand, fingers, etc.
: to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) with a broom or brush
: to move or pass quickly, forcefully, or smoothly
sweep noun
English Language Learners Definition of sweep (Entry 2 of 2)
: an act of cleaning an area with a broom or brush
: a long, smooth movement often in a wide curve
: a large area of land often forming a wide curve
See the full definition for sweep in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sweep verb
\ ˈswēp \
swept\ ˈswept \; sweeping
Kids Definition of sweep (Entry 1 of 2)
1: to remove with a broom or brush
Please sweep up the dirt.
2: to clean by removing loose dirt or small trash with a broom or brush
I need to sweep the floor.
3: to move over or across swiftly often with force or destruction
Fire swept the village.
4: to move or gather as if with a broom or brush
I swept the money from the table.
5: to move the eyes or an instrument through a wide curve
They swept the hill for some sign of the enemy.
6: to touch a surface of quickly
The musician's fingers swept the piano keys.
7: to drive along with steady force
Debris was swept away by the tide.
8: to become suddenly very popular throughout
It's a show that is sweeping the nation.
9: to achieve a complete or easy victory
Other Words from sweep

sweeper noun
sweep noun
Kids Definition of sweep (Entry 2 of 2)
1: a curving movement, course, or line
I brushed it away with a sweep of my hand.
2: an act or instance of cleaning with a broom or brush
3: a wide stretch or curve of land
4: something that sweeps or works with a sweeping motion
5: a complete or easy victory
6: RANGE entry 1 sense 2, SCOPE
The island was outside the sweep of our vision.
7: CHIMNEY SWEEP
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More from Merriam-Webster on sweep
Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with sweep

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sweep

Spanish Central: Translation of sweep

Nglish: Translation of sweep for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of sweep for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sweep

 

[oggbashan]

Anon has been at it again.

Anon doesn't like or understand fetish so leaves a derogatory comment ending "1 star!"

 

[LucilleCF]

Anon has been at it again.

Anon doesn't like or understand fetish so leaves a derogatory comment ending "1 star!"

Yes, I noticed that he/she decided to grace all three of my stories with their sage advice and wisdom. I considered deleting them, but I decided to leave them there for posterity.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Yes, I noticed that he/she decided to grace all three of my stories with their sage advice and wisdom. I considered deleting them, but I decided to leave them there for posterity.

Would you leave a dog turd on your front lawn?

Your problem though, sounds like a poor category choice in the first place. LW is a trap for the uninitiated, and no longer means what the blurb says. It's very... tribal .

 

[oggbashan]

Would you leave a dog turd on your front lawn?

Your problem though, sounds like a poor category choice in the first place. LW is a trap for the uninitiated, and no longer means what the blurb says. It's very... tribal .

For my Anon, they ignored the category, ignored the title and sub-title and still left a comment showing they had read something they didn't like because it was in that category and fitted the title(s).

That is not stupidity it is mindless venom.

My patience with that sort of anon comment is getting exhausted. I will probably delete future ones as soon as they appear, and I have from five of my recent stories.

 

[bushyTrail]

Would you leave a dog turd on your front lawn?

Your problem though, sounds like a poor category choice in the first place. LW is a trap for the uninitiated, and no longer means what the blurb says. It's very... tribal .

Actually, I'm impressed by that. I mean, I would expect that the amount of users in Literotica and anonymous readers would prevent this kind of tribalization, because consensus is a fickle beast by itself and finding it in an ever growing/changing community should be harder, shouldn't it? Every time someone enters the category for the first time, they believe the blurb and vote/comment accordingly. Perhaps they learn afterwards and accept that it is indeed misleading?

 

[ElectricBlue]

Actually, I'm impressed by that. I mean, I would expect that the amount of users in Literotica and anonymous readers would prevent this kind of tribalization, because consensus is a fickle beast by itself and finding it in an ever growing/changing community should be harder, shouldn't it? Every time someone enters the category for the first time, they believe the blurb and vote/comment accordingly. Perhaps they learn afterwards and accept that it is indeed misleading?

There are writers and readers who migrate to LW almost exclusively, and there are writers and readers who will never go there. It's probably the biggest schism in the Lit universe, and each thinks the other place is the swamp. At least in I&T you've got Mom making cookies .

 

[eroticstoryspinner]

Hi, I'm back!

I have a question. I have seen several users refer to something called 'the sweep' when talking about ratings. I vaguely understand it to have something to do with removing 1 star ratings (I've seen my rating for my first story rise while the number of ratings went down), but I don't really understand how it works.


Also, shower thought: wouldn't it be nice if readers were forced to leave feedback if they rated a story below 3 stars? It would weed out all the people who are just being spiteful for no good reason, and encourage conscientious readers to give the author some useful criticisms about their writing.

I already know that this wouldn't work, but I can dream can't I?

Sweeps are a good thing on the whole. I had a story I published end of June, Mom and Daughter Face Penal Slavery Pt. 02 that got trolled early on and after a sweep went up significantly.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

There are writers and readers who migrate to LW almost exclusively, and there are writers and readers who will never go there. It's probably the biggest schism in the Lit universe, and each thinks the other place is the swamp. At least in I&T you've got Mom making cookies .

I love poking the readers in LW with a stick.