MISCATEGORIZED DEVIATIONS

HOW TO REPORT THEM

_{(dedicated to `kuschelirmel, `Aeires, `karemelancholia, $realitysquared and ^Myana, because I was able to compose this article quoting and sometimes copypasting their previous work, so this would have not been possible without their help. Check the Bibliography at the bottom)}

So, what is a miscategorized deviation?

Almost every gallery here on deviantART has a quite big percentage of miscategorized submissions. We not only mean such images that are disputed if they fit better in fantasy or people or whatever subcategory, but also "big" misplacements, like for example putting a photography in the anthro section. Here at deviantART we try to provide as much artistic freedom as possible and we strive for this by providing galleries to showcase a wide range of Art and by not forcing any strict quality standards or minimum level of skill or talent. However while we do not moderate for quality, we do have certain restrictions and rules about where to place your art pieces.

So, a deviation is miscategorized, or misplaced, if it has been uploaded in the wrong gallery. Are you tired of seeing misplaced deviations in the Anthro gallery? Searching for some anthro turtles and finding shoe photographs instead? Or wanting to browse some great anthropomorphic painting, instead you get some close up of a Halloween costume? Ever thought "Man that really shouldn't be there"?

Sure, those miscategorizations are the most annoying ones, but it's also a mistake if you upload your traditional art painting in the Oekaki section, or if you find somebody's digital work in artisan crafts. The gallery descriptions are a huge source of information. By taking just a small moment to read them during the submission process would help eliminate miscats tremendously. A lot of work went into writing them and the Community Relations staff review them to see if they are in line with the current sections. Art evolves, so should the descriptions.

Lastly, if you still don't know the right place for your art, contact the help desk or your gallery moderators. It happens, people create something that we don't have a gallery for. No shame, it happens. We get the help ticket and review the image. Sometimes it's a matter of finding what it's as close to as possible. Most of the time there is a gallery, we just have to help the deviant find it. On rare occasions, a new gallery needs to be created. Like I said, art evolves, so should we. The help desk, and the gallery directors caring for the community members are a great source to get your problems taken care of.

After all that, there will still be people who don't care. It's only natural, not everyone will care, the world is made from all types of people and so is this site. Big or small misplacements, there is something you can do about them:

Report them!

You can take an active role in cleaning up the anthro gallery, or any other gallery you browse: Did you find some miscats? Simply report them!

1. Click "Report Deviation" (you can find it below the deviation) and report them as misplacements.
2. If you know what gallery it should be relocated to, please share that! You can either choose the final subcat (Anthro > Digital Media > Vector) or if you are unsure you can go with the "headcat" (Anthro) - or if you don't know, you can leave it as it is
3. You have the option to add a little description on why you think it's a miscat, or you can leave a message to the one handling the case, like "this deviant has their entire gallery filled with miscats like this" or "this is Fan Art not Anthro because it features a Pokémon character"
4. and hit send.

Keep also in mind, if it is a copyright violation: DON'T CLICK MISPLACEMENT, click copyright violation!

What does happen then?

The images reported by you, the community, are being handled by the CEA (Copyright & Etiquette Administration) and HD (Help Desk) teams while the GMs (Gallery Moderators) have the tools to handle any miscategorization they find by browsing the galleries.

By reporting miscats will help us maintain the galleries, and also get you involved in the community. So, if you would like to see change, this is your chance to be proactive about it!

And, last but not least, please read gallery descriptions when submitting!!

Useful links and resources. Bibliography

• FAQ #155: How do I report a submission which I think breaks the rules?
• Proper Reporting by $realitysquared
• Report miscats by ^Myana
• What is going on with miscats? by $Moonbeam13
• A word on miscats. by `Aeires
• What is Anthro? (Definitions) by ^skifi
• What is Anthro? (Example Images) by `cooley

And, if you want to spread this so everybody knows what to do, favourite this article so it gets more attention!