Need clarification whether a story should be tagged as Teen or Mature.

[Jason D. Karl]

I've written a story about two gay teens becoming boyfriends that I'd like to post here. The story has no on-page sex but does feature the boys (both age 16 and still virgins) discussing sexual acts they'd like to try. They do kiss, but that's as far as they go. So my question is whether such frank discussion about sex by characters that are virgins throughout the story would be enough to require the Mature tag, or would Teen be sufficient?

[Cia]

It depends on how graphic the language gets. If you are using words that describe body parts, acts, how that might feel, etc.... Google will ping those as graphic content. It would then be better to rate the story as Mature, for language only, which you could put in a story note if you're worried about the rating putting people off. Thanks for checking! 

[Jason D. Karl]

17 minutes ago, Cia said:

It depends on how graphic the language gets. If you are using words that describe body parts, acts, how that might feel, etc.... Google will ping those as graphic content. It would then be better to rate the story as Mature, for language only, which you could put in a story note if you're worried about the rating putting people off. Thanks for checking! 

I will try to answer in a PG-13 kind of way: The conversation involves their saying who they would like to do oral with and also mentions whether a particular kind of hole in seedy bathrooms might leave splinters in one's nether regions. But it doesn't get into details.

[Myr]

Mature

[Jason D. Karl]

5 minutes ago, Myr said:

Mature

Thanks.

[peter rietbergen]

Actually, I do feel the answer depends on the audience/readership you want to address. Contemporary American culture is appallingly prudish, and abhors even the, since the 1970s. most accepted/hence innocent' words, terms, descriptions, et cetera. In Europe, the situation is rather different. If I were to wríte a story, I'd simply not use any of these categories: readers - especially readers who turn to "Gay "Stories ? - should (be able to) judge for themselves.

[Myr]

41 minutes ago, peter rietbergen said:

Actually, I do feel the answer depends on the audience/readership you want to address. Contemporary American culture is appallingly prudish, and abhors even the, since the 1970s. most accepted/hence innocent' words, terms, descriptions, et cetera. In Europe, the situation is rather different. If I were to wríte a story, I'd simply not use any of these categories: readers - especially readers who turn to "Gay "Stories ? - should (be able to) judge for themselves.

Your opinion is interesting, but pointless in this context. As we get punished by a Google for placing ads on Mature content. Ergo if it is Mature, we can't put Google Ads there. 

And ads and premium keep the site open and mostly free. 

[peter rietbergen]

11 minutes ago, Myr said:

Your opinion is interesting, but pointless in this context. As we get punished by a Google for placing ads on Mature content. Ergo if it is Mature, we can't put Google Ads there. 

And ads and premium keep the site open and mostly free. 

 

12 minutes ago, Myr said:

Your opinion is interesting, but pointless in this context. As we get punished by a Google for placing ads on Mature content. Ergo if it is Mature, we can't put Google Ads there. 

And ads and premium keep the site open and mostly free. 

But if we do not define content as mature - as so many stories on this site (prudently) seem to decide to not do?

[Myr]

7 hours ago, peter rietbergen said:

 

But if we do not define content as mature - as so many stories on this site (prudently) seem to decide to not do?

That is not how the internet works.

Google, and every other search engine, scans all the content on the internet, including this site.  They determine if the content is mature or not.  That has nothing to do with what the author puts as a story rating.  Putting the story rating on tells the system not to place Google Ads on the content, which protects us.  It also gives a reader an idea of story content. 

[Jason Rimbaud]

23 hours ago, Myr said:

That is not how the internet works.

Google, and every other search engine, scans all the content on the internet, including this site.  They determine if the content is mature or not.  That has nothing to do with what the author puts as a story rating.  Putting the story rating on tells the system not to place Google Ads on the content, which protects us.  It also gives a reader an idea of story content. 

This single paragraph offers so much explanation and it is all very logical and makes perfect sense. 

I had stepped away June 2nd to focus on a few things and I was gone for two months. And when I returned, it felt like the ad's were suddenly very intrusive to my reading pleasure, especially on the phone as the ads obscure the drop down menu. 

Then I read this explanation, and I realized, the ads weren't more intrusive. But I was reading stories not labeled with mature rating due to the Secret Author Contest. And once I looked at my reading history, I realized that I am a pervert that only reads mature rated stories so the ads never bothered me. 

I almost signed up for premium membership to get away from the ads, I hate them that much. And yes, I understand why we have them and fully support GA's decision to keep the site free but I still hate them and it takes away from the reading. But now I know to avoid the ads, just read those sexy stories that are labeled M and my life is suddenly happy again. 

Thank you for clarifying things, one of these days I'm going to make you a cup of tea and pick your brain until I know all the ends and also outs of running a massive site like GA. Its always nice to get glimpses at the whys behind your decisions.  You also rock and I have a small innocent crush on your avatar. 

J

 

[Myr]

24 minutes ago, Jason Rimbaud said:

You also rock and I have a small innocent crush on your avatar. 

https://heroforge.com

 

[Jason Rimbaud]

15 minutes ago, Myr said:

https://heroforge.com

 

Wow, the perfect definition of changing your point of view. Thanks for destroying my innocent crush you monster!   

 

[Greybeard Sr.]

It would appear that the censors (the prudes who pressured Google) have won.  The stories I was reading have all suddenly been labeled "mature".  It did force me to register but if I was a completely new reader I'd just not bother with this site as 3/4's of the material is not available to non-members.

Edited October 14, 2025 by Greybeard Sr.
clarification

[Myr]

1 hour ago, Greybeard Sr. said:

It would appear that the censors (the prudes who pressured Google) have won.  The stories I was reading have all suddenly been labeled "mature".  It did force me to register but if I was a completely new reader I'd just not bother with this site as 3/4's of the material is not available to non-members.

You can thank about 16 US States and the EU, amongst others about how they define mature content and the restrictions that come with it.  You'll be seeing most sites do something.  But since it is free to register on the site, it's not like it's hard to do.

[Lupus]

11 hours ago, Myr said:

You can thank about 16 US States and the EU, amongst others about how they define mature content and the restrictions that come with it.  You'll be seeing most sites do something.  But since it is free to register on the site, it's not like it's hard to do.

Good to know what’s behind this. It’s an unfortunate change, as it might reduce new readers’ interest in GA. On the other hand, it could bring in new members, which might lead to more likes and comments on the stories.

[Justin4Fun]

On 8/26/2025 at 5:03 PM, Jason Rimbaud said:

... I realized that I am a pervert ...

J

 

You're just now realizing this? We've known it forever!!!  <hugs>

 

[Jason Rimbaud]

On 1/1/2026 at 1:13 AM, Justin4Fun said:

You're just now realizing this? We've known it forever!!!  <hugs>

 

Never say the quiet parts out loud.  😎