How do I report spam?

Spamming is using a DeviantArt account to commercially advertise or perform search engine optimization (SEO) strategies using journals, gallery submissions, comments, forum posts, or Messages. This behavior is an unacceptable use of a DeviantArt profile, regardless of how or where the advertisements are presented.

Reporting spam:

If you’re targeted by or discover spam advertising or SEO activities, mark the post as spam and report the profile. 

Reporting spam deviations or comments
To report a spam profile as a whole (as opposed to individual spam deviations or comments), navigate to the deviant's profile, select "Report deviant" from the three-dot menu, and select "Spamming" from the list.
Spam deviations
There's an easy way to report a single deviation as spam.

  • Click the "..." button below the deviation
  • Click "Report"
  • Select "It's something else" 
  • Select "This is spam, malware, or warez" 
  • Then one more "This is spam"
  • You can fill out more info before submitting your report.

Reporting spam or abusive messages
Remember to stay vigilant when opening a message from someone you don’t know.
Tips to stay safe:
  • Don’t click on any links from unknown senders.
  • Received a message from someone claiming to be a DeviantArt Team member? Check for the DeviantArt Team symbol that should appear by their username. No symbol? Not a staff member.
  • Block specific deviants if you don’t want to be contacted by them again.
Only get messages from deviants you watch
If you’d rather keep your DeviantArt circle small and only want to be contacted by deviants you watch:
  • Go to Messages
  • Select the "..." button on the main navigation bar
  • Toggle on "Only allow messages from deviants you watch"
How to report a specific message
  • Select the "..." button on the specific message you’d like to report
  • Click "Report deviant"
  • Follow the steps provided

Commercial activity

Commercial business operations are welcome to advertise on DeviantArt but only through proper advertising channels as outlined through our advertising contact page!

Commercial entities creating accounts to advertise for free will find their accounts closed and their websites potentially blacklisted to prevent future spamming or SEO efforts. DeviantArt members are not allowed to use their DeviantArt profile directly for any sort of for-profit third-party advertising.

Members who attempt to install click-through links, banners, promotional materials or third-party advertising of any sort in their Journal, profile page, signature, art submission, or any other area of the site could have that advertising removed without notice when it is brought to the attention of the DeviantArt staff, and their profile could receive disciplinary action.
All advertising efforts which go beyond Members promoting their own personal and private endeavors must be directed through proper channels. Advertising products offered by DeviantArt can be found at this page: https://deviantartads.com/.
Chain-mail comments, a type of comment that says in order to avoid some unfortunate event, you must pass the comment on to other people, is not considered a form of spamming.

While chain-mail comments and other forms of repeated stories do not need to be reported to our customer service area and are best addressed through your self moderation tools.
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