The consolidation of Web 2.0 marked profound paradigm shifts that introduced new challenges, leading to reflections on information within the digital-virtual sphere (Jorente et al., 2022). Although such changes have promoted a more inclusive scenario, platforms and environments still face obstacles regarding gender equity. In this scenario, it becomes relevant to investigate inequalities in gender representation within biographies on these environments, as they allow us to broaden the understanding of social dynamics and to promote a more comprehensive analysis of multiple gender experiences (Soihet, 2003).

Social networks, as defined by Recuero (2009), represent the links and interactions between individuals, functioning as an analogy for the connection patterns observed in social groups. With the widespread popularization of such networks, a phenomenon of segmentation into thematic niches has occurred, in which spaces focused on the organization of books and interaction across their respective communities have emerged.

GoodReads, as a digital-virtual environment, stands out as a milestone in the Web 2.0 era. Dedicated to organizing, promoting, and sharing reading material, it also offers detailed information about literature, its genres, and author biographies. Founded by Otis Chandler in 2007, GoodReads has approximately 55 million users and hosts a collection of around 1.5 billion literary works in several languages (Amaral; Salvador, 2018). The platform’s relevance and recognition in the digital scenario led to its acquisition by Amazon in 2013.

Thus, this research is justified by the importance of a faithful representation of gender experiences in biographies, with emphasis on those available on GoodReads, given their broad reach. In this context, it is essential to investigate how Information Science, particularly through Information Design (ID) and Digital Curation (DC), can contribute to improving this representation. The question also arises as to how Folksonomy can collaborate with Information Design and Digital Curation within the analyzed environment, especially focused on the biographies of mystery and thriller writers on GoodReads.

In this sense, this paper presents a proposal for a collaborative experience using Folksonomy, an essential element to complement and expand the visibility of female writers’ biographies on GoodReads. This approach, understood herein as an Information Design tool, contributes significantly to the Digital Curation of the environment. The main objective is to examine the characterization of authors’ biographies – male and female, classic and contemporary – in the mystery and thriller genres on GoodReads. The specific objectives include developing a theoretical framework on Information Design, Folksonomy, and Digital Curation on digital contexts; conducting an exploratory study on biographies of writers of these genres on GoodReads from a gender perspective; and proposing the implementation of Folksonomy on the platform’s author pages.

This study is characterized by a qualitative approach of a descriptive and exploratory nature. The construction of the theoretical framework is based on a literature review, with the analysis of texts available in several databases. For this purpose, the following repositories were used: Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Base de Dados em Ciência da Informação (BRAPCI, Reference Database of Journal Articles in Information Science), and the Journal Portal from the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes, Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel). The selected search terms cover the concepts of Folksonomy, Information Design, Digital Curation, and gender.

The empirical stage of the research was carried out through observation on Goodreads, with an emphasis on the biographies of authors in the literary genres of mystery and thriller novels. In this context, a comparative analysis was conducted between biographies from different periods, covering authors of classic works, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, as well as contemporary authors, such as Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Holly Jackson.

The selection of the four authors (Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and Holly Jackson) was intentional and grounded in the aim to incorporate both canonical and contemporary figures within the mystery and thriller genres. Christie and Conan Doyle were chosen for their historical relevance and enduring literary influence, while Zafón and Jackson represent contemporary voices with notable reach among distinct interest communities on Goodreads. Although small, the sample was composed to ensure diversity in terms of gender and period, thereby enabling a comparative approach capable of identifying patterns in the construction and presentation of biographies across different sociotechnical and cultural contexts.

The empirical stage was based on direct observation of the Goodreads platform, using nominal searches to access the authors’ pages. For each case, key sections of their pages were analyzed, with particular attention given to the structure and content of the biography section: its length, narrative focus (personal vs. professional aspects), redundancies, and overall coherence. The comparison was systematized through a synthesis table which summarizes the key findings and supports the identification of representational disparities among the analyzed biographies.

Information Design (ID) is conceived as the harmonious integration of words, images, and forms into a cohesive communication unit (Horn, 1999). ID plays a central role in mediating communication between information systems and subjects by aligning task-oriented functionality with information-oriented systems (Garrett, 2011). In this context, the purpose of ID is to create information products that are efficient, effective, easy to use, and capable of providing a satisfactory experience (Rogers; Sharp; Preece, 2013).

ID results in an informational object, an information product that maintains continuous communication with individuals, aiming to make information clearer, more objective, understandable, and usable (Fernandes, 2015). It offers resources and mechanisms that enable the convergence of different languages and interoperability between information systems, which, in turn, favor social interaction and ensure an improved experience for individuals. Thus, such experience can be mediated by collaborative activities, such as Folksonomy.

Folksonomy, in turn, is the result of the personal attribution of tags to digital objects, aiming to facilitate their own retrieval (Wal, 2007). In this context, Folksonomy has gained popularity in response to the growing demands for interaction among Internet users on digital environments (Yu; Chen, 2020). The value of tagging lies in the use of specific vocabulary by information subjects, who attribute meaning to an object based on their own understanding (Wal, 2007). In this way, in addition to categorizing or classifying digital objects, individuals establish connections between different objects, attributing new meanings to them.

Wal (2005) highlighted that Folksonomy is a social practice, as Internet users classify an informational object and use previously created tags in order to allow other people to also find the same informational object. O’Reilly (2005) conceptualized Folksonomy as a form of collaborative categorization on Web environments, in which keywords are selected by the subjects themselves.

In a convergent manner, Digital Curation (DC) emerges from systems of continuous information access practices and methodologies that aim to improve information access and preservation, in addition to meeting the needs of subjects and stakeholders (Jorente et al., 2021). It involves the long-term management and preservation of digital objects through actions designed to maintain, preserve, and add value to digital data throughout their life cycle (Digital Curation Centre, 2004). Although DC originated from concepts of museology, specifically from museum curation in a broader sense, in the context of Information Science it considers digital preservation processes in data curation.

GoodReads, as a collaborative web environment, incorporates elements of both ID and DC into its interface. However, although the platform allows interaction and the use of Folksonomy in the categorization of books, this resource is not applied to the authors’ biography pages. Furthermore, in order to explore the central question of the study, which refers to the representation of gender in the biographies of authors of mystery and thriller novels, it is essential to understand the structure and operational mechanisms of GoodReads.

When accessing GoodReads, users are invited to log in to the platform or create a profile. Once inside, the interface is made up of several elements: on the left, personalized information about their readings; in the center, updates from people the user follows are displayed; and on the right, general news related to books is presented. At the top of the screen, options for interacting with one’s personal library and the community are available, as well as a search bar to facilitate navigation. When searching for a specific author, associated books are listed as illustrated in Figure 1.

This search result presents a list of works that, although not necessarily authored by the author being searched, are linked to the name of the author through the title or by their actual authorship of the book. When selecting a work, its details are revealed, including the title, author, the average rating of reader reviews, a synopsis, and the genres attributed to the book. In addition, a brief biography of the author is displayed, which can be accessed in more detail by clicking on the author’s name.

On the author page, readers can view the main elements that compose the author’s profile. The author’s image is highlighted, and important data are presented next to it, such as full name, general information (including birth and, when applicable, death dates) as well as the literary genres for which they are known. Next, a section dedicated to the biography offers a concise narrative about their life and work (Figure 2).

In general, author pages on GoodReads have nine distinct topics: general information, biography, associated names, books, series, news, quotes, polls, and topics. For the purposes of this analysis, the authors’ general information and biography stand out, and a tenth topic is suggested – one that would allow Internet users to collaborate in the construction of the author’s identity by inserting tags to their profile.

GoodReads offers a program for authors that allows them to create and manage their own author pages, including the writing of their biographies, in the context of their published or upcoming books available on the site’s database. To modify the biography of an author who is not a member of the GoodReads Author Program, the interested party must go through a selection process to become a “librarian” (GoodReads, 2024). One of the main requirements for eligibility is to have at least fifty books added to their bookshelf. Next, the candidate must complete a questionnaire that assesses their technical knowledge of cataloging books on the environment. After reaching a minimum number of correct answers, the candidate must write a text explaining their motivations for participating in the program. This text is then submitted to GoodReads for appraisal, although the exact selection criteria are not clearly specified. It is worth noting that, for this process, no specific training or knowledge in Library Science is required.

In the context of Goodreads, the analysis of biographies focused on observing authors of mystery and thriller genres. The objective was to compare biographies from different periods in order to include both classic and contemporary authors. To this end, renowned writers were selected, such as Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, representing the classic works of the literary genre in question, as well as Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Holly Jackson, who represent contemporary literature.

In the biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the British author widely recognized for his series of stories featuring the iconic character Sherlock Holmes, stands out as the most extensive among the analyzed biographies. It is worth noting that, of the paragraphs examined, only the first one directly addresses his life as an author. The other paragraphs address various aspects of his personal life, failing to emphasize his literary works (Figure 3).

Conan Doyle’s biography, although extensive, devotes most of its content to personal and academic aspects, with limited emphasis on his literary contributions, an imbalance that contrasts with the purpose of author biographies on a literary platform.

Regarding Agatha Christie’s biography, the text begins by highlighting the variety of pseudonyms used by the author. It then presents her main achievements, from her prolific production of detective novels and short stories to her recognition as the “Queen of Crime” and her attainment of the title of Dame. However, by the third paragraph, there is a redundancy in the presentation of information already mentioned (Figure 4).

Christie’s biography presents redundancy in the narrative, repeating accolades and publishing metrics, which may reflect a tendency to validate female authorship through commercial success.

In contrast to Agatha Christie’s repetitive narrative, Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s biography presents a more structured and concise overview of his career. It briefly covers his background and early recognition, culminating in the international success of the book The Shadow of the Wind. The text avoids unnecessary details and maintains a clear focus on his literary contributions, serving as a more balanced example of author representation on the platform (Figure 5).

Zafón’s biography stands out for its ability to convey professional relevance without relying on personal anecdotes, offering a model of clarity and coherence that is not consistently observed in the other cases.

Holly Jackson, the only living author among those analyzed, participates in the Goodreads Authors Program, which allows her to write and manage her own biography. This limits third-party edits and grants her greater control over her public narrative (Figure 6).

Nevertheless, her biography is brief and lacks depth, providing limited information about her literary career and, thus, does not offer a comprehensive view of her identity or professional journey. While it is valuable that authors have the opportunity to write and manage their own biographies, ensuring greater narrative control and authenticity, it would be beneficial to establish clear guidelines to standardize the scope and depth of such biographical entries. These guidelines could help balance authorial autonomy with the need for comprehensive, informative, and consistent representations that adequately reflect both the personal and professional dimensions of the author’s identity.

The Table 1 presents a summary of the analysis of the biographies of the selected authors.

From Table 1, clear differences emerge between the biographies of male and female authors. Comparing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Dame Agatha Christie, their biographies diverge notably in both structure and focus. While Conan Doyle’s biography is extensive – covering his birth, academic background, personal relationships, and death – Christie’s is more concise, emphasizing her literary achievements and public recognition. Another significant contrast lies in the treatment of personal relationships: Conan Doyle’s biography details his marriages, children, and the loss of one child, whereas Christie’s centers predominantly on her career, with minimal reference to her personal life. Overall, both biographies offer valuable insights into the authors and their contributions but differ in length, emphasis, and narrative approach.

In comparison, Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s biography presents a well-organized overview of his life and literary career, highlighting key accomplishments from his origins to international acclaim. Holly Jackson’s biography, however, is noticeably shorter and less detailed, providing only basic information about her birth, residence, and debut book, without deeper exploration of her identity.

It is noteworthy that although GoodReads uses Folksonomy as a tool for cataloging and sharing bibliographic records, author pages do not allow collaboration from information subjects, an aspect that affects the design and curation of the platform. Based on the analysis of biographies on GoodReads, as well as relevant literature, this investigation concluded that the convergence of Folksonomy is a crucial resource for Information Design and Digital Curation on digital environments in general, as it results in more collaborative technical processes and enables new ways of analyzing interactions between stakeholders and the content present on Web platforms.

The application of Folksonomy in digital platforms dedicated to cataloging and representing authors can significantly contribute to more plural and inclusive portrayals, particularly regarding gender representation. By enabling diverse information subjects to collaboratively describe, categorize, and contextualize content, Folksonomy challenges traditional centralized editorial control and facilitates the integration of multiple perspectives, including those historically marginalized or underrepresented.

Specifically, in the context of author biographies, this collaborative approach can reveal dimensions of identity and career trajectories often omitted from official or authorized accounts, offering a richer and more multifaceted perspective. Contributors from varied backgrounds may highlight aspects related to gender experiences, challenges faced by women authors in predominantly male domains, or ways in which their works engage with pertinent social issues, thus broadening the understanding of the community of interest.

Furthermore, Folksonomy can enhance the visibility of female authors and narratives, helping to address disparities present in traditional biographical representations. Through tags, annotations, and collective curation, it becomes possible to foreground women’s contributions to genres such as mystery and thriller, which have often been overshadowed by celebrated male figures. This process fosters a more democratic sharing of information by allowing multiple voices to participate in knowledge construction.

Ultimately, the convergence of Folksonomy, Information Design, and Digital Curation empowers the creation of digital environments that are more dynamic and reflexive, where author representations are continuously constructed and reassessed through engagement with communities of interest. Such dynamics not only enrich content but also strengthen the legitimacy of platforms as spaces of cultural memory, inclusion, and diversity.

This study focused on a limited sample of four prominent authors within the mystery and thriller literary genres. While this selective approach allowed for an in-depth analysis, it also constitutes a significant limitation in terms of the generalizability of the findings. To achieve more comprehensive and representative results, future research should expand the scope to include a broader range of authors across diverse literary genres and cultural contexts. Such an expansion would enable a deeper understanding of biographical representation patterns and enhance the applicability of the conclusions to digital platforms as a whole.

The analysis revealed that biographies of female authors tend to be more concise, whereas those of male authors often highlight both personal and professional aspects. This inconsistency underscores the need for standardized guidelines to ensure that biographies provide relevant, clear, and balanced information. Such guidelines would help avoid redundancy and omission, offering practical criteria for authors and contributors to follow when creating or editing biographies. Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s biography exemplifies this balance by presenting key achievements and pertinent personal details without unnecessary repetition, focusing primarily on his literary contributions.

Furthermore, the use of Folksonomy can significantly benefit both Information Design and Digital Curation on platforms like Goodreads. By enabling tagging, folksonomy facilitates a more dynamic and participatory interaction within digital environments, enhancing the experience for Internet users through improved organization, retrieval, and preservation of information. This collaborative classification system allows multiple perspectives to converge, fostering richer metadata that goes beyond traditional top-down cataloging methods.

Importantly, Folksonomy also plays a vital role in enhancing representativeness within digital biographies. By allowing a diverse community of contributors to add tags and descriptors, it helps surface underrepresented aspects of an author’s identity, such as gender, cultural background, or thematic focus, which might otherwise be marginalized or omitted in standardized narratives. This participatory mechanism promotes inclusivity and a multiplicity of voices, which is essential for constructing more equitable and nuanced portrayals of authors and their works.

In conclusion, this study underscores the critical importance of adopting a multifaceted approach to the construction and presentation of author biographies on digital platforms. By integrating standardized guidelines with collaborative tools such as Folksonomy, it is possible to foster more accurate, inclusive, and contextually rich representations that reflect the diversity of author identities and literary contributions. While challenges remain, particularly in balancing authorial control, community participation, and moderation, such efforts hold significant promise for advancing both Information Design and Digital Curation practices. Future research that expands the scope and diversity of studied authors will be essential to refine these approaches and ensure their broad applicability across varied digital environments.