General, Moderate and Adult: Second Life maturity ratings explained
What the General, Moderate and Adult maturity ratings mean in Second Life, how to change what you can see, and why some places, events and searches stay hidden.
Everything in Second Life has a maturity rating: regions, parcels, events, Marketplace listings and search results. The rating tells you what kind of content to expect, and your own settings decide which ratings you can see and visit.
The three ratings
- General. Content suitable for everyone, like a family-friendly public place. No sexual content and no strong violence.
- Moderate. Content for a mature audience that is not explicit. Many clubs, shopping areas and roleplay places are Moderate.
- Adult. Explicit sexual or extreme content. Adult regions and listings are only shown to residents who are allowed to see Adult content and have chosen to.
The rating of a region is set by Linden Lab and the owner within Linden Lab's rules. Store owners choose the rating of their Marketplace listings, and event hosts rate their events.
Your maturity preference
In the viewer preferences (usually under General), you choose the highest rating you want to see. If you choose General, you will not see Moderate or Adult events, and you cannot teleport into Moderate or Adult regions. To access Adult content you must be 18 or older and meet Linden Lab's verification rules.
Why something seems missing
- A teleport fails with a maturity message. The region is rated above your setting. Change your preference if you want to visit, or choose another place.
- A search shows fewer results than expected. Search only shows ratings you have allowed. Check the maturity filters in the search window too.
- A Marketplace item is hidden. The Marketplace has its own rating filters on the website.
What WhatSL lists
WhatSL only lists General and Moderate events, places and offers. Merchant submissions are checked automatically and anything Adult is not published. This keeps the site suitable for a wide audience in every language.
For store owners and hosts
- Rate your event or listing honestly. Wrong ratings can get a listing removed and confuse visitors.
- If your region is Moderate, mention it in your notices so General-only residents know why they cannot teleport in.
- When you list something on WhatSL, choose the rating that matches your place.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I teleport to a club my friend is at?
The club is probably on a Moderate or Adult region and your maturity preference is set lower. Change the preference in the viewer if you are allowed to and want to go.
Is Moderate the same as Adult?
No. Moderate is for a mature audience but never explicit sexual content. Adult is for explicit content and needs extra access.
Does WhatSL show Adult events?
No. WhatSL only publishes General and Moderate listings.
