To all web-only series creators

[BlairFujin]

Thank you but at this point I don't care, just wanted to warn anyone in similair situation since this sudden change was done behind our backs.

[Katzalcoatl]

What's the difference between mature section and a mature tag?

How should one decide if their comic or novel should go on the mature content @joannekwan?

Is the discover mature only meant for sexual stuff? I see no action tag for fantasy my guess is violence like Goblin Slayer is not an issue?

[BlairFujin]

mature section


part of the site dedicated to mature series but with premium (paid) works only, accessible through the website but not the app (at least I couldn't find it on the app)

[joannekwan]

The mature section is where Tapas showcased their mature premium series, mostly dealing with mature sexual themes.

Violence in general gets a pass with Apple unless it's realistic.

[Fuzzyman818]

What do you mean by realistic? Like if it's photorealistic or if the designs are realistic by decree?

[joannekwan]

Both to an extent.
Think of Itchy and Scratchy from the Simpsons, they're very violent but very cartoony, so they'd be a good PG13 baseline.
Then consider Castlevania on netflix, the characters are more realistic by proportion and the gore is more visceral. That would be an R and would be a candidate for either censoring or creative cropping.

[Katzalcoatl]

I still don't understand why Reverse Harem Game is mature. Seen way more mature manhwa on the main page. The most mature thing they do is kiss their necks. All sex is implied and not shown like in every other manhwa. Heck even "The Reason Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion" has more sex scenes than "Reverse Harem Game".

[HGohwell]

I do think it's interesting, in a more general way, how Tapas seems to want to have its cake and eat it too. It plays up to and courts the mature, sexy side for creators and readers alike, but at the same time won't allow actual sexy erotic content. It has a mature section, but not for us public creators. It's like when movies for teens or YA novels try to appear sexy and promise to be spicy but actually it's just some hot hand holding action and maybe a make out scene and the rest is sexual tension. They want to protray themselves as if posting anything is an option as long as it's not super graphic, because they have options and you can just do XYZ, but at the same time go "you can post it, but we're going to make sure no one sees it" unless you're one of their chosen creators who gets the mature section. I don't blame them but think I'd respect Tapas more if they threw in the towel and said they're just a PG13 site now, rather than pretending to be cool with mature content, that way people would at least know that they're not welcome rather than just getting that feeling but being told they are welcome, and then constantly being blocked from being seen (so welcoming). Or just make a Tapas after dark site which is webonly for people who want to post mature content (I know it won't happen, but don't tell me there isn't a market for it, because I've seen fandoms and what they will pay to see two characters do the do).

[Headypigeon4180]

I don't make stuff that would require censorship, but stuff like this always makes me feel nervous

[NickRowler]

Would you be ok if a 10 year old was reading your comics?

All comics on the sit are automatically set to being 13+ (because of COPPA). A child can look at the site but they can not make an account. It is not the users or tapas responsibility to make all their content appropriate for 10 year olds. If you as a parent let your 10 year old use the site, that is on you to regulate them.

Additionally, you can not view M rated stories without an account. So if a 10 year old had an account, they would be breaking TOS.

@Animefanka is correct that Tapas used to allow more racy and raunchy series in the past. As long as you had it marked as Mature and it was not porn, users would be OK. In recent years things have gotten much more strict.

[artist1]

All comics on the sit are automatically set to being 13+ (because of COPPA). A child can look at the site but they can not make an account. It is not the users or tapas responsibility to make all their content appropriate for 10 year olds. If you as a parent let your 10 year old use the site, that is on you to regulate them.

You completely missed my point. The point was to know how you are marketing it as a movie rating. That was an example. And I do agree parents should be in charge of what their children see. But saying somehow a rule will keep 12 year olds off the site is laughable. It's your job as a creator to know what you are posting and take responsibility for that content. Not post stuff and try to work around the rules. If you know its a 13+ site, so the audience can be as young as 13, you need to have stories that is appropriate for that age. My comic is a mature comic as in the situations, it's about a demon and the cast are all 25+. So their is drinking, hints of sex, and language. If a 13 year old read it, it won't kill or warp them, they might just not understand what's going on.(most likely they would get most of it. 13 year olds aren't stupid) They would see more on a prime time cop drama on TV. Putting your sexual comics on a site that is set to 13+ is on you, the creator.

[BlairFujin]

Them moving the mature section from discover submenu here feels like adding so much salt to the injury...

[Katzalcoatl]

I'm not a mature tag.... but yeah even I felt the salt. I am sure many creators feel the way you do. If you all unite you could suggest to Tapas a plausible solution.

For example, opening the Mature section to all creators not just tapas exclusive. But that may be wishful thinking. You never know. Maybe if enough creators suggest it Tapas might think about it.

[BlairFujin]

I'm afraid, looking by tapas actions since apple upped the censorship, they just don't care about us and their only solution is to censor yourself for the app...

[Katzalcoatl]

True. Business wise I do get it. But if Tapas does decide to create a Mature section for creators it could be added to the web section only. From my point of view it is a great solution.

But I do know it will all depend on the people in charge of Tapas. And we do know how many times they don't like taking that extra step. Nevertheless it doesn't hurt to try or at least hope.

Do you know if there is a suggestion box/mail? (I'm sure I saw it somewhere or maybe I'm hallucinating?)
I will send the suggestion of adding creators ro the mature section that is only web. There is power in numbers even if I am just 1 extra person.

[BlairFujin]

I mean... if one of their top 5 community creators is being forced to butcher his work... I really doubt they'll listen to anyone...

[GothickangelStudios]

Mines rated 14+ in Canadian standards. I block out creativly for Tapas and Webtoons censored parts.
I use Comic Fury for my uncensored version, it allows hand drawn full adult stuff only. But has strict labeling to keep underage out. The site hosts manga and comics from G to A+. I'm not doing h3ntai but I dont have to censor 14+ content which includes non sexual themes too.
I get lots of views on Comic Fury due to that. Its a very busy community like Tapas is in forums too.

[RedLenai]

Is not like Tapas "doesn't want you here"

The thing is the following and it is happening to Pixiv, Tapas, Webtoon, Patreon and so many places.
For example, recently a lot of YouTubers got their videos demonetized due to cursing at X moment from starting the video regardless if it is targeted for older audiences, filtered and such.

Credit company cards, digital wallets and other companies that take care of all the transactions and the means people can get paid by doing what they do, are pushing their guidelines onto the platforms we post, therefore since they want to still be under agreements, payments, transactions etc what their business is... the platforms need to follow these guidelines and apply them.

Like, literally any app that is on the App Store or Playstore has to follow through the guidelines, policies and such.
So, I understand it must be nice to be able to appear in search and such, but well, if that ain't it chief then the one that needs to self promo or pay for it is you. Or you hang out your stuff in a scanlation/piracy page and hope to build traffic through there (Just like what MerryWeather did at the beginning to build their audience)

We either have to adapt and follow through if we want to be supported, or we could have our own places where we have to do double the effort to make us stand out. Sadly there isn't much to do.

[BlairFujin]

Once again, this is not about the app, it's about the website, the same one with a mature section with premium comics tapas is actively promoting on social media (which are even less censored than what I've been posting in my eyes). It is also about a sudden change that was done behind creators' backs without any notification and something that they still do not inform creators about.
I prepared a butchered version of the first comic mentioned here that should fit apple's censorship rules and at least let me direct potential new readers to a less ridiculously censored one. Well, I missed like 4 panels across over 300 pages and got messaged from taps stuff about what should be censored more
Notice the lack of mention of the consequences of not being allowed to the app.

Yes, you can totally post to website where there is no freedom, just no one will be able to find it but we won't tell you about it unless you contact support.
It's hard to play by the rules if the rules are not stated.

[Nugtown]

Well I have to say that's really not the worst thing that could happen. I believe Webtoon and Medibang are more than happy to take down things like that with little ability to appeal for the most minor of infractions.

adding insult to injury they always let their paid comics basically do what they want.