Content Guidelines
Overview
Content guidelines ensure quality, appropriate content on the platform while protecting artists and readers. This guide covers platform policies, content standards, and best practices for creating successful comics.
Platform Policies
Content Standards
Quality Requirements
- Art Quality: High-resolution, clear, professional artwork
- Story Coherence: Logical narrative progression and character development
- Technical Standards: Proper formatting, file quality, and presentation
- Original Content: Original work or properly licensed material
Age Appropriateness
- All Ages: Content suitable for readers of all ages
- Teen: Content appropriate for teenagers (13+)
- Mature: Content for adults (18+) with appropriate warnings
- Adult: Explicit content requiring age verification
Prohibited Content
Illegal Content
- Copyright Violations: Unauthorized use of copyrighted material
- Trademark Infringement: Unauthorized use of trademarks
- Defamation: False statements harming reputation
- Privacy Violations: Unauthorized use of personal information
Harmful Content
- Violence: Excessive or gratuitous violence
- Hate Speech: Content promoting discrimination or hatred
- Harassment: Content targeting or harassing individuals
- Self-Harm: Content promoting self-harm or suicide
Inappropriate Content
- Explicit Sexual Content: Pornographic or sexually explicit material
- Gore: Excessive blood, gore, or graphic violence
- Drug Use: Promotion of illegal drug use
- Criminal Activity: Glorification of criminal behavior
Community Guidelines
Respectful Behavior
- Reader Respect: Treat readers with respect and dignity
- Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural differences
- Inclusive Content: Create content that welcomes diverse audiences
- Professional Conduct: Maintain professional behavior in interactions
Content Responsibility
- Accurate Information: Provide accurate and truthful content
- Appropriate Warnings: Warn readers about sensitive content
- Content Ratings: Accurately rate content for appropriate audiences
- Quality Commitment: Maintain high standards in all content
Content Creation Best Practices
Story Development
Narrative Structure
- Clear Plot: Develop coherent storylines with clear progression
- Character Development: Create engaging, well-developed characters
- Conflict Resolution: Include meaningful conflicts and resolutions
- Pacing: Balance action, dialogue, and character moments
Genre Considerations
- Genre Conventions: Understand and follow genre expectations
- Audience Expectations: Meet reader expectations for your genre
- Innovation: Add unique elements while respecting genre traditions
- Cross-Genre: Blend genres thoughtfully and effectively
Visual Quality
Art Standards
- Consistent Style: Maintain consistent visual style throughout
- High Resolution: Use high-quality images (minimum 800px width)
- Clear Composition: Ensure clear, readable panel layouts
- Professional Quality: Strive for professional-level artwork
Technical Requirements
- File Formats: Use JPG, PNG, or WebP formats
- File Sizes: Optimize for web viewing (under 2MB per image)
- Aspect Ratios: Maintain consistent aspect ratios
- Color Quality: Ensure good color reproduction and contrast
Character Development
Character Creation
- Distinct Personalities: Create unique, memorable characters
- Character Arcs: Develop characters over time
- Relatable Traits: Include relatable human qualities
- Diverse Representation: Include diverse characters and perspectives
Character Consistency
- Visual Consistency: Maintain consistent character appearance
- Personality Consistency: Keep character behavior consistent
- Voice Consistency: Maintain consistent character dialogue
- Growth and Change: Allow characters to develop naturally
Content Categories and Genres
Popular Genres
Action and Adventure
- Requirements: Dynamic action sequences, engaging plots
- Best Practices: Clear action flow, compelling stakes
- Audience: Broad appeal, various age groups
- Examples: Superhero, martial arts, fantasy adventure
Romance
- Requirements: Emotional depth, character relationships
- Best Practices: Authentic emotions, gradual development
- Audience: Primarily teen and adult readers
- Examples: Contemporary romance, historical romance
Fantasy and Sci-Fi
- Requirements: Rich world-building, consistent rules
- Best Practices: Clear magic/technology systems
- Audience: Broad appeal, imaginative readers
- Examples: High fantasy, space opera, urban fantasy
Comedy
- Requirements: Humor, timing, relatable situations
- Best Practices: Varied humor types, character-driven comedy
- Audience: All ages, depending on content
- Examples: Slapstick, situational comedy, parody
Content Rating Guidelines
All Ages
- Content: Suitable for children and families
- Language: Clean, appropriate language
- Violence: Minimal or cartoon violence
- Themes: Positive, educational, or entertaining themes
Teen (13+)
- Content: Appropriate for teenagers
- Language: Mild language, no profanity
- Violence: Moderate action, no graphic violence
- Themes: Coming-of-age, friendship, adventure
Mature (18+)
- Content: Adult themes and situations
- Language: Strong language may be included
- Violence: More intense action and violence
- Themes: Complex adult relationships and situations
Adult (18+ with verification)
- Content: Explicit adult content
- Requirements: Age verification required
- Warnings: Clear content warnings
- Restrictions: Limited discoverability
Technical Guidelines
Image Requirements
Quality Standards
- Resolution: Minimum 800px width, recommended 1200px+
- Format: JPG, PNG, or WebP formats
- Compression: Optimize for web without quality loss
- Color Space: Use sRGB color space for web compatibility
Upload Guidelines
- File Size: Keep individual images under 2MB
- Batch Upload: Upload multiple images efficiently
- Organization: Maintain logical reading order
- Backup: Keep original high-resolution files
Content Organization
Chapter Structure
- Logical Flow: Ensure smooth reading progression
- Page Breaks: Use natural page breaks and cliffhangers
- Consistency: Maintain consistent chapter length
- Quality: Ensure each chapter meets quality standards
Series Management
- Story Arcs: Plan and execute coherent story arcs
- Character Development: Develop characters across series
- World Building: Create consistent fictional worlds
- Reader Engagement: Keep readers engaged throughout series
Monetization Guidelines
Pricing Strategy
Free Content
- Purpose: Attract readers and build audience
- Strategy: Offer compelling free chapters
- Quality: Maintain high quality for free content
- Conversion: Use free content to convert to paid readers
Paid Content
- Value Proposition: Ensure paid content provides value
- Pricing: Set appropriate prices for content quality
- Consistency: Maintain consistent pricing strategy
- Quality: Ensure paid content meets high standards
Revenue Optimization
Content Strategy
- High-Quality Content: Focus on quality over quantity
- Regular Updates: Maintain consistent publishing schedule
- Reader Engagement: Build relationships with readers
- Market Research: Understand reader preferences and trends
Marketing and Promotion
- Social Media: Promote content on relevant platforms
- Community Engagement: Participate in reader communities
- Cross-Promotion: Partner with other artists
- SEO Optimization: Improve discoverability through keywords
Quality Assurance
Self-Review Process
Content Review
- Story Check: Review narrative coherence and flow
- Art Quality: Ensure visual quality meets standards
- Technical Check: Verify file quality and formatting
- Policy Compliance: Ensure content meets platform guidelines
Peer Review
- Beta Readers: Get feedback from trusted readers
- Artist Feedback: Seek input from fellow artists
- Professional Review: Consider professional editing or review
- Community Input: Engage with reader community for feedback
Continuous Improvement
Skill Development
- Art Skills: Continuously improve artistic abilities
- Writing Skills: Develop storytelling and dialogue skills
- Technical Skills: Learn new tools and techniques
- Business Skills: Develop marketing and business knowledge
Market Awareness
- Trend Analysis: Stay informed about industry trends
- Reader Feedback: Listen to and incorporate reader feedback
- Competition Analysis: Study successful content in your genre
- Platform Updates: Stay current with platform features and policies
Legal Considerations
Copyright and Licensing
Original Content
- Ownership: Ensure you own all content you upload
- Original Work: Create original characters and stories
- Licensing: Properly license any third-party content
- Protection: Protect your own intellectual property
Third-Party Content
- Permission: Get permission for any third-party content
- Licensing: Obtain proper licenses for licensed content
- Attribution: Provide proper attribution when required
- Fair Use: Understand and respect fair use limitations
Model Releases and Permissions
Human Subjects
- Model Releases: Get releases for recognizable people
- Permission: Obtain permission for private property
- Privacy: Respect privacy rights of individuals
- Consent: Ensure informed consent for any content featuring people
Location and Property
- Property Rights: Respect property rights and permissions
- Location Releases: Get permission for private locations
- Trademark Rights: Avoid unauthorized use of trademarks
- Public Domain: Understand public domain content usage
Community Engagement
Reader Interaction
Comment Management
- Professional Responses: Respond professionally to comments
- Constructive Feedback: Consider and respond to constructive feedback
- Community Building: Build relationships with readers
- Moderation: Moderate comments appropriately
Social Media
- Platform Presence: Maintain active social media presence
- Content Promotion: Promote content on relevant platforms
- Reader Engagement: Engage with readers on social media
- Community Building: Build community around your content
Collaboration
Artist Collaboration
- Cross-Promotion: Partner with other artists for promotion
- Joint Projects: Collaborate on content projects
- Skill Sharing: Share skills and knowledge with other artists
- Community Support: Support and encourage fellow artists
Industry Engagement
- Conventions: Participate in industry events and conventions
- Networking: Build relationships with industry professionals
- Learning: Attend workshops and educational events
- Mentorship: Seek and provide mentorship opportunities
Resources and Support
Educational Resources
Learning Materials
- Tutorials: Access platform tutorials and guides
- Workshops: Participate in educational workshops
- Webinars: Attend online educational sessions
- Documentation: Review comprehensive documentation
Skill Development
- Art Classes: Take art and illustration classes
- Writing Workshops: Improve storytelling skills
- Technical Training: Learn new tools and software
- Business Education: Develop business and marketing skills
Support and Guidance
Platform Support
- Help Documentation: Access comprehensive help resources
- Support Tickets: Contact support for technical issues
- Community Forums: Connect with other artists
- Mentorship Programs: Access mentorship opportunities
Industry Resources
- Professional Organizations: Join industry organizations
- Networking Events: Attend networking and industry events
- Publications: Read industry publications and blogs
- Online Communities: Participate in online artist communities
Ready to start creating? Return to Getting Started to begin your journey as an artist on the platform.