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What is DeviantArt's policy around sexual, erotic, and fetish themes?
DeviantArt strives to accept as wide a range of creative works and themes as possible. However, there are boundaries put in place with regard to sexual, erotic, and fetish themes to define what is acceptable, and where, for the safety and well-being of all deviants.
Type of Content (What you submit to DeviantArt, including all visual and written content.) | Public Content (Visual or written content that does not require payment to access.) | Paid Content (Content requiring payment to access, like Subscriptions, Premium Galleries, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
Nudity Content depicting nudity in a non-sexual manner. | ✓ Allowed with Mature Tag | ✓ Allowed with Mature Tag |
Erotic Content Sensual or sexualized content that is non-pornographic. | ✓ Allowed with Mature Tag | ✓ Allowed with Mature Tag |
Erotic Anthro Content Sensual or sexualized, but non-pornographic, content depicting anthro characters, furries, or animals with human characteristics. | ✓ Allowed with Mature Tag | ✓ Allowed with Mature Tag |
Explicit Content Content depicting representations of explicit themes, including, but not limited to: masturbation, sexual intercourse, sexual bodily fluids or waste, erections, vaginal or anal spreading or penetration, and use of adult-oriented toys. | ❌ Forbidden | ✓ Allowed with Mature Tag |
Soft Vore Content Content depicting characters or people being swallowed, with no harm, bloodshed, or injury to the characters. | ✓ Allowed with Mature Tag | ✓ Allowed with Mature Tag |
Hard Vore Content Content depicting characters or people being eaten alive, the tearing, chewing or digestion of flesh, or cannibalism. | ❌ Forbidden | ❌ Forbidden |
Pornography Representations of explicit themes using real people or the likeness of real people. | ❌ Forbidden | ❌ Forbidden |
Anthro Pornography Representations of explicit themes using real people or the likeness of real people dressed as anthro characters, furries, or animals with human characteristics. | ❌ Forbidden | ❌ Forbidden |
Celebrity or Public Figure The mature, sexual, or explicit representation of a celebrity or public figure. | ❌ Forbidden | ❌ Forbidden |
Child Exploitation Content depicting sexualized minors, regardless of medium. See Zero-Tolerance Policy section below. | ❌ Forbidden. Content will be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in compliance with applicable law. | ❌ Forbidden. Content will be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in compliance with applicable law. |
Please note that policies apply to an entire deviation. Even if only one image in a multi-image deviation would require a mature tag or would have to be submitted as paid content, the deviation itself must comply or risk removal.
Avatars, Cover Images, and Preview Images
Avatars, cover images, and preview images have specific rules:
- Personal and group avatars cannot contain any mature or explicit content.
- Cover and preview images for deviations, Premium Downloads, and Exclusives can contain mature content—but not explicit content—provided the deviations have the Mature label applied.
- Cover and preview images for galleries, Premium Galleries, commissions, and subscription tiers cannot contain any mature or explicit content.
Depictions of Real People
Depicting real people in sexual or erotically themed artwork in any context requires the express knowledge and written consent of the models, who must also be at least 18 years old at the time of the artwork’s creation.
While providing written consent is not necessary when you submit your artwork to DeviantArt, a DeviantArt team member may request a model release form if the model or another person contacts the team with regards to your deviation. If you are unable to provide a model release form upon request, your artwork may be taken down.
DeviantArt prohibits the posting or distribution of images or video depicting any person in a state of nudity, engaged in any act of sexual conduct, or otherwise intended to serve as sexually arousing stimuli which has been apparently created or posted without their permission.
This includes:
- Depictions that have been faked, whether through digital photo manipulation, face-swapping AI applications, or any other means or method.
- Images or video featuring the intimate parts of a person’s body, even if the person is clothed or in public, are not allowed if apparently created or posted without their permission while being contextualized in a salacious manner (e.g., “creepshots” or “upskirt” imagery).
“Aging Up” Characters
Any form of mature content – visual or written – with “aged-up” versions of fictional characters can ONLY be submitted to subscription tiers or Premium Galleries, and they must meet the following criteria:
- All aspects of the deviation (including title, tags, description, and gallery placement) must indicate that the artwork features altered versions of the characters that are over 18.
- No aspect of the deviation should indicate or insinuate that the version of the depicted character is or might be underage.
- The design of the aged-up character must demonstrate a genuine, good-faith effort to render the character as an adult, and cannot be too similar to the original character’s design.
These deviations are subject to review by the DeviantArt team and will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Read the full policy regarding the age of fictional characters in mature or explicit art.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
DeviantArt has a zero-tolerance policy with regard to child exploitation or offensive or graphic content, including, but not limited to:
- Content depicting sexual violence, the glorification of sexual violence, or non-consensual intercourse
- Content depicting assault or physical violence presented in a way meant to be sexually stimulating or arousing
- Fictional child characters
- Offering sexual services
- Sexual fetishes that are difficult to distinguish from non-consensual sex
- Fringe sexual fetishes such as incest, necrophilia, amputation, cannibalism, or other similar themes.
If you post content of this nature, DeviantArt reserves the right to terminate your account without notice. Some situations may be complicated and can include personal, historical, or educational intent as part of their narrative, and the DeviantArt team will take said context into account, but the content will be removed if it is found to glorify or sensualize the theme it depicts.
Decisions involving the addition of a Mature Content tag, removal of material, or suspension or termination of accounts are final.
If you see content that violates the aforementioned policies, report the deviation or post so the team can handle it, and if you have a question or concern, please contact DeviantArt Customer Support.
For additional information, you can also watch a recorded town hall meeting reviewing the mature and explicit policies on DeviantArt.
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