AO3 is entering a new era
Briefly

As fandom evolves, the competition among ships intensifies, exemplified by the outrage over Destiel's placement in the top 100 ship rankings for 2024. Despite gaining over 6,000 new fics, Destiel's lower-than-expected ranking sparked debate among fans about the accuracy of the data. This incident highlights the impact of social media on fandom culture, where metrics and popularity are closely scrutinized, leading to a more competitive atmosphere. The influence of various fandoms on each other, alongside the rise of AO3, marks a significant shift in fan interactions and storytelling dynamics.
'Destiel had gained over 6,000 new fics that year, and when calculated by another means, was in 11th place overall.'
'But the centralization of fandom on social media platforms like Tumblr, Twitter, and, in particular, AO3... has led to an increased awareness of fandom as a competitive landscape.'
Read at Polygon
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