If you're trying to take control of your backlog, you've come to the right place. The [Backlog Assassins Extraordinaire](https://www.backlog-assassins.net) website can provide you with the tools that you need to successfully assassinate your backlog in an organised manner. While the website helps you track your progress and break your backlog down to smaller chunks by creating custom lists, the BLAEO community is there to provide advice and support if you need it. We also run various events (monthly themes, challenges,...) that can help your choose the next games to play.

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## Joining the website

To join the website simply post a reply to this thread.

You can post in the [Steam group discussions](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/attackyourbacklog/discussions) without being a member of the group. You can also stay up to date with the announcements without being a member of the group - simply subscribe [to this thread](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/attackyourbacklog/discussions/1/371918937272820451/) and you'll be notified when a new announcement is posted. You can also subscribe to the [Website Changelog](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/attackyourbacklog/discussions/4/371918937271831505) to be kept up to date on changes made to the website.

## Joining the Steam group

Once you've been active on the BLAEO website for a while, you can request to join the Steam group by clicking the request button on the [Stean group page](http://steamcommunity.com/groups/attackyourbacklog) AND posting a link to your BLAEO profile [in this thread](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/attackyourbacklog/discussions/1/1732089092438885528). Make sure to do both of these steps, otherwise your request to join the group won't be approved. Please do not add group admins/mods or post on their Steam profiles to get invited to the website or the Steam group!

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## Useful links:

- [BLAEO website](https://www.backlog-assassins.net)
- [BLAEO Steam group](http://steamcommunity.com/groups/attackyourbacklog)
- [BLAEO Discord server](https://discord.gg/Dah2agj)
- [Getting Started guide](https://www.backlog-assassins.net/help/getting-started)
- [The Beginner's Guide to BLAEO](https://www.backlog-assassins.net/posts/wbr5xw7)
- [Info on image formatting](https://www.backlog-assassins.net/posts/ml4gyzl#comment-58zavep)

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## Guidelines

- Be nice.
- When posting content, it should respect the privacy and rights of others.
- Piracy, pornography, and other material that may be inappropriate to a general audience should not be posted to the site.
- Do not beg users for gifts.
- Do not spam.
- While the site gives you a lot of freedom for writing posts, do not abuse that. Try to keep your posts readable. Also, if your post has too many large screenshots, try embedding only one of them and linking the others, or reducing their size, or use HTML to come up with a creative way to alternate between them.

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## FAQ

**I just joined, and the site isn't showing achievements for my games. Help?**
The site starts compiling everything starting with your first login, so if you just used it for the first time, just wait a few hours. Same with new achievements and game additions, just give it some time.

**How do I post on the site?**
Read the guides posted above.

**How do I join the website?**
Post a comment in this thread. If everything looks fine, you'll be invited to the website.

**How do I get into the Steam group?**
Steam changed how groups manage new members and we can no longer invite people we aren't already friends with. So after you're added to the website and have been using it for a while, request an invite to the Steam group AND post a link to your BLAEO profile [in this thread](https://steamcommunity.com/groups/attackyourbacklog/discussions/1/1732089092438885528). We'll review your request and accept it if you have indeed been active on the site (keep in mind that it might be several weeks until you get an invite).
PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST TO JOIN THE GROUP WITHOUT HAVING BEEN ADDED TO THE WEBSITE! Request to be added to the website in this thread first!

**I applied in this post and didn't get invited to the Steam group.**
See above.

**Why was my request to join the group denied?**
You might not be active enough in the site. We only invite users to the group after some period of activity on the website, which is analysed on a case-by-case basis. There is no pre-defined formula for activity; it depends on the extent and frequency of the activity. For some users it can be a month and for others it can be longer. To be considered as active you must update your profile regularly, and if you are involved in the community (by creating posts/commenting and/or participating in events) that is definitely a plus.

**What are the rules of the group?**
We only have one: do not enter group-exclusive giveaways if you have not been active lately. Failing to do so will get you kicked out of the group.

**I left the Steam group. Does that affect site usage in any way?**
No, but please let us know about it, especially if you don't want to get invited back into the Steam group, so we can make a note of it.

**What are monthly themes? Do I have to participate in them?**
Monthly themes are suggestions for users who are unsure about what to play next. You do not have to participate if you don't feel like it or if you don't own any games that fit the theme.

**What is the monthly "Challenge Me!" event? Do I have to participate?**
The monthly "Challenge Me!" event is an event designed to help you reduce your backlog. You can participate either by 1) asking to have games picked for you by a (random) member of the BLAEO community, or 2) picking games for fellow assassins. As with monthly themes, participation is not mandatory.