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Flayrah's story ratings now reflected in Google search results

Your rating: None Average: 4.5 (8 votes)

It's a hard life for search engines, and sites like Flayrah with varying page layout don't help. But thanks to a few hours with Google's data highlighter, it'll be easier for one of them to identify who wrote what, what a story is about, and how well it was received.

What does this mean? Well, more comprehensive search results, hopefully – but perhaps the most noticeable change will be the visibility of ratings when those results are displayed:
Rakuen GrowlitheRestrospective: An illustrated chronology of furry fandom, 1966-1996

Flayrah ratings on Google

The rating displayed for users depends on the ratings received on their story submissions. This change will roll out incrementally as Google reindexes the site.

Also, Califur 2014 is hosting the Ursa Major Awards presentation next Saturday at 5PM. Flayrah's up for Best Magazine again for the stories we published in 2013 – join me there to celebrate if we win… and to commiserate if the ponies win Best Website again.

Should Flayrah's comment/story ratings be locked after a certain period?

No
45% (17 votes)
Yes, after a month
13% (5 votes)
Yes, after three months
24% (9 votes)
Yes, after six months
3% (1 vote)
Yes, after a year
13% (5 votes)
Yes, other timing
3% (1 vote)
Votes: 38

Flayrah adds rating-based comment visibility

Your rating: None Average: 4.1 (9 votes)

Today I enabled a feature that I've been toying with for a while: rating-based comment visibility.

The aim is to discount poor comments and mediocre replies while promoting good comments. You can see it at work in recent popular stories.

The algorithm is still subject to tweaks, but here's how it works now . . .

ArtSpots mulls expanding ratings, quality levels

Your rating: None Average: 4.7 (3 votes)

All-ages furry art gallery ArtSpots may extend its ratings to include a level allowing "tasteful nudity", according to site leader Higgins Dragon.

The issue is a touchy one, as many artists use the site as a secondary "professional gallery" to show to family and co-workers. However, users appear to favour the idea, as long as it is restricted to those with companion status - a measure of drawing skill.

Also under consideration is a forum-based process of awarding this status, and that of the guild master, which is intended to focus on more subjective traits like colour and composition.

The debate began when users highlighted an inability to filter out sexually suggestive artwork without dropping to PG. Some expressed concern that content was pushing the PG-13 rating. Like its predecessor Yerf, ArtSpots has suffered from limited volunteer time, resulting in a slowdown in reviews and a delay before removal of reported images.