fansite

A fansite is a website created by fans to celebrate, discuss, and document a particular work, person, or franchise. Unlike official sites, fansites are independently run by enthusiasts and may vary in scope, tone, and quality. They commonly focus on media such as films, television series, video games, musicians, or athletes, and may assemble information such as news, episode guides, character bios, timelines, and production details, as well as fan art, fan fiction, galleries, and forums.

Types and features often include fan wikis that collect and organize data, news hubs that track developments, and discussion forums that facilitate conversation. Content may also include production trivia, merchandising guides, and event calendars. Some fansites are static pages maintained by individuals, while others are collaborative projects hosted on community platforms or wiki engines, enabling multiple contributors to edit and update entries.

Community and governance on fansites are usually volunteer-based, with editors, moderators, and administrators who enforce guidelines to maintain quality and civility. Most sites publish codes of conduct and attribution standards, encouraging proper credit for contributors and clearly distinguishing fan-created content from official material.

Rights and limitations: fansites often rely on fair use, transformation, or licensing terms to display copyrighted material such as clips or images. Rights-holders may request takedowns or set guidelines for fan participation. Some communities establish official-affiliate relationships or adhere to brand safety policies to avoid conflicts with licensors.

Impact and history: fansites emerged with the early internet as a means to preserve and share fan knowledge, foster communities, and broaden access to information beyond official channels. They remain a common hub for fan culture and collaborative documentation.