I've never found the idea of clop to be an interesting story concept on its own, the bland stretch of bizarre sex-scenes never appealed to me in any way possible. This is a hurdle to me because the vast majority of stories within this group are clops, and since I don't like clop, I avoid them all together. This poses another problem since a lot of the stories that are in this group do have the sex tag on them, but since I don't know how to discern whether a story will have clop in it or not, I avoid those all together since I wouldn't want to read something I don't like.

Now, many of you may be asking, why don't I read clop? Well, as said before, the idea of sex alone isn't appealing enough of a story concept to pull me in. And while a lot of clop stories may have other story elements to it, the clop most likely takes front and center and everything else doesn't. It also doesn't help that to me, clop stories in general seem a bit too repetitive for me to enjoy, sure, you can change the pairings, add new ponies, try new pairings , and even change the situation the story takes place, but that doesn't change the fact that sex can and will happen, and most of the time, it's just there, and nothing other than mention it another time is ever done with it. Now, my gripe with clop stories being repetitive can be applied to the other genres I read, such as Adventure and Mystery, but the problem with that is that while Adventure and Mystery in of itself could be a bit repetitive, the idea of Adventure and Mystery are so unimaginably vast that you could do basically anything with it. Clop on the other hand is restricted to only a select few scenarios.

Now this forum is not to bash on clop, rather it is to see why so many people like them. I'm certain that I'm missing something that makes these stories such an enjoyable read to so many people. So, Where is the appeal? Or rather, why does clop appeal to you? And I would also like some reading recommendations on what stories do have the sex-tag, but are still an enjoyable read. Please help me.

6843699

There is a porn tag now. I don’t think I’ve applied it to all my older stories but I, at least, use it on my newer ones.

But I think I’ve only written two anthro stories and they’re both pretty much 100% porn so. :p No luck for you.

6843699

If it mature it has clips. Teen would have sexual references or descriptions. At least that's how it should be

6843699
While I am totally with you as seeing Clop alone not appealing enough as a centerpoint of a story. That is completely justifiable. But if I'm being honest, you coming off as a bit naive. I'm gonna be blunt, why do you think people enjoy sex in general? Actually don't answer that. Now, don't think of clop alone as a genre of story, but more as a pornographic side of reading. I mean, it's pretty obvious that people fap and have their own tastes. Thus the diversity of clop stories on this site.

Now as of how to figure of about the Sex Tag? If the story is rated "Teen" It means only sexual references such as mention or hinting to such content. With stories rated "Mature" that is where the water gets murky. Now all of the newer stories have the option to add the "Porn Tag" as so that people can search and or avoid it. Olders stories might be harder to figure out, but is it is a short one chapter story with the sex tag and is older, it is probably not what your looking for. But most importantly, look and read the description, picture and title. Those should give the biggest clues as to what the fic is about.

Clop or sex scene are only allow in m-rated story while t-rated can only implies it. And on human/anthro stories the characters have to be eighteen or older.

For me, I don't really like or hate clop, I just focus on the storyline.

You might tried Dante24; Recovery of the Heartbroken Dragon.

6843699
You might as well be asking why porn exists.

On the matter of clop being repetitive, I simply think you haven't explored enough stories.

And because you asked for recommendations, and it's me writing this, here's the mandatory "go read Friendship is Mind Control". And everything else Wintermist has written.

6843711
Of course you pick Scootaloo with a profile name like that.

6843699
While I enjoy clop, for reasons I will state further down, let me just say that I DO understand where you’re coming from. It CAN be repetitive, and sometimes I’m not in the mood for it. That said, there is the enjoyable side, which, well . . .

To paraphrase most everyone else’s answer: Asking why I enjoy clop is like asking why I enjoy porn. Same reasons: Personal pleasure and (very deviant) sexual fantasies. It’s also why the entire “Anonymous” sub-genre is popular in this and other communities. That helps take the story one step further into allowing the reader to superimpose themselves onto the character in the story, thus allowing them to imagine their fantasies, no matter what sort they are (very, very deviant) as being real.

That’s my answer, at least. That said, I do also enjoy clop with some decent story, but it’s not always easy to come by. As for stories that feature the sex tag but don’t actually have clop, like everyone else said, again: If it’s teen rated, you’re safe, if it’s M, it’s proooooobably clop.

6843715
It's a direct reference to Friendship is Witchcraft, in episode 9 she states "But I'm a third wheel!"

6843699
Isn't it obvious? Clop is just a way for the people writing them to live out their sex fantasies with cartoon characters, instead of actually having sex with people. It's like the people who make self-inserts to live out their power fantasies, instead of actually living their lives outside of their computer screen.