❓ Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQ answers the questions people ask most often about Swift Axis, in short form, with a link to the full guide for each. This page will guide you through what Swift Axis is, what it costs, accounts, the Android app, where the stories come from and the basics of privacy.
About Swift Axis
What is Swift Axis?
Swift Axis is a guided-reading news site. Short stories lead into each other: at the end of each one you choose where to go next, from up to three choices. Stories are grouped into topics, which are either threads you branch through or dated series you read day by day. See Quick start.
What are gems?
Each ending you reach in a thread earns a gem on that topic's belt. The belt shows how many paths you have explored, such as "2 of 5 paths explored". See Maps and gems.
What are Briefs and The Wire?
Briefs are short posts of a few sentences, sometimes with a link or an image. The Wire is the strip under the website header that scrolls the latest ones. See Briefs and The Wire.
Cost and accounts
Does Swift Axis cost anything?
No. Swift Axis is free to read, on the website and in the Android app.
Do I need an account?
No. You can read everything without signing in. A reader account on the website is optional, and only syncs your reading progress between devices. See Signing in and syncing.
Can I write for Swift Axis?
Not yet. The Studio, where stories are written, is open to the site owner only for now. The writing sections of this guide describe how it works, so future writers can get ready. See How stories fit together.
The Android app
Is there an app?
Yes, for Android phones and tablets. Look for "Swift Axis" in Google Play. See Getting the app.
Does the app sync with the website?
No. The app has no sign-in, and its reading progress stays on the phone. The website's optional account syncs between browsers only.
Why can't I see Briefs in the app?
The Android app does not show Briefs. Use the website to read them.
Where stories come from
Who writes the stories?
Stories are written in the Studio by the site owner, under writer personas. The byline on each story shows who it is written as.
Are some stories written by AI?
Yes, some are. Stories written under an AI persona always carry an "AI-generated" label next to the byline, and you can hide them with "Hide AI-generated stories". The choice is kept on your own device. See Themes and AI stories.
Privacy basics
What does Swift Axis collect?
The privacy policy on swift-axis.com is the authoritative answer. This guide does not restate it. For how the app behaves day to day, see Privacy in the app.
Are my searches stored?
No. Swift Axis does not store your search terms. See Search and Explore.
Does the app have ads or analytics?
No. The Android app has no analytics and no ads.
Still stuck?
See Support for where to send a question.