FanFiction.Net FanFiction.Net (often abbreviated as FF.net or FFN) is an automated fan fiction archive site. It was founded on October 15, 1998 by Los Angeles computer programmer Xing Li, who also runs the site. , FanFiction.Net is the largest and second most popular fan fiction website in the world, coming second in popularity to Archive of Our Own in Alexa rankings. It has over 12 million registered users and hosts stories in over 40 languages. The site is split into nine main categories: Anime/Manga, Books, Cartoons, Miscellaneous, Games, Comics, Movies, Plays/Musicals, and TV Shows. The site also includes the Crossover category, added on March 27, 2009. Users who complete the free registration process can submit their fan fiction, maintain a user profile, review other stories, apply for a beta reader position, contact each other via private messages, and maintain a list of favorite stories and authors. There are centralized communities and forums. In lieu of signing up with a new account, the website allows users to use their Google, Facebook, or Twitter accounts. The site also owns a Twitter account called FictionPress where users of the website are updated on changes and improvements made. Creation In 1998, Xing Li, a software designer, created FanFiction.Net. The site was created as a repository for fan-created stories that revolved around characters from popular literature, television, comics, or real-world celebrities. Unlike other fan fiction sites, FanFiction.Net allowed stories about any characters rather than revolving around a specific set of characters, such as those from Naruto, Harry Potter, or Kingdom Hearts. Registration was open to all people who claimed to be over 18, and by 2002 over 118,000 people were registered. (The age limit has since been moved down to 13.) At that time, one-third of the registrants self-identified as 18 or younger, and 80% were female. Rating system Fanfiction.net uses the rating system from FictionRatings.com. This system contains the ratings of K, K+, T, M and MA. The MA rating and explicit violent and/or sexual themes are forbidden. Allowed ratings Currently, the ratings K, K+, T and M are allowed. K rating The K rating is for audiences ages 5 or older. Any content that is rated K should be completely free of coarse language, adult themes and violence. K+ rating The K+ rating is for audiences ages 9 or older. Content that is rated K+ should only contain minor coarse language and violence and should be completely free of adult themes. T rating The T rating is for audiences ages 13 or older. Some non-explicit violence and minor coarse language, as well as minor suggestive adult themes can be used. M rating The M rating is for audiences ages 16 or older. Coarse language, violence and suggestive adult themes are allowed if not too explicit. Not allowed ratings Currently, the MA rating is strictly forbidden. MA rating Only for adults over 18 years old. Many M-rated stories that contain explicit adult themes still exist on Fanfiction.net and are yet to be removed. Site content Writers may upload their stories to the site and assign them a category and rating (such as K, K+, T, and M). The ratings are no longer done on the MPAA system, due to cease-and-desist demands from the Motion Picture Association of America in 2005. A list of explanations for the rating system currently employed is available from the drop-down rating menu in each of the individual archives on the site. The MA (18+) rating is not permitted on this site. The site does not pay money to people for posting content or charge money for posting on the