In some countries, AO3 has been blocked by internet service providers or government mandates. For fans in these regions, a mirror or a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is the only way to stay connected to the community. 2. Server Downtime or Maintenance
When a fanfiction is deleted by its author, it is sometimes still accessible through massive site mirrors or indexes maintained by fans. ao3 mirror
The most common reason for the rise of "AO3 mirror" searches is the . In early 2020, AO3 was blocked in mainland China, leading to a massive effort by the local "danmei" and fan communities to create alternative access points. In some countries, AO3 has been blocked by