Wattpad clarifies rumors about explicit content policy changes

Wattpad, a popular online platform for user-generated stories, has recently addressed widespread rumors indicating a shift in its content policy, specifically concerning the handling of explicit or "smut" material often found in fanfiction.

The confusion stemmed from users noticing the removal of certain stories coinciding with updated language in Wattpad's content guidelines. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), became a hub for user discussions and anxieties. "Wattpad needs to get a grip on who they are and the audience they serve you would be NOTHING without one direction smut on your godforsaken app," one user stated, reflecting a common sentiment.

However, a spokesperson for Wattpad clarified to Fast Company that no actual policy changes have occurred. "We recently updated some of the language in our Content Guidelines to make our policies clearer and easier to understand, adding more specificity about what has always been allowed and not allowed on our platform," the spokesperson said. "Our policies, content categories, and how we moderate have not changed."

Wattpad explained that any stories removed would have been in violation of existing guidelines prior to the language update, and the timing was coincidental. To further reassure its user base, the company published a blog post reiterating, "Wattpad has always been a place to tell stories that are steamy, complicated, romantic, weird, emotional, and everything in between. This isn't changing."

Amid the uncertainty, some users migrated to Archive of Our Own (AO3), a platform known for its less restrictive moderation. Ironically, reports emerged of these same users reporting content on AO3 that they disliked, leading to criticism about their motives for leaving Wattpad in the first place.