In the context of shipping and fandom, “ARO” is short for “aromantic.” It refers to a person who experiences little to no romantic attraction to others. When it comes to “shipping,” ARO is used to describe characters, relationships, or individuals who do not have a romantic attraction or connection to another person, despite the common focus on romantic pairings in fan communities.
For example, in fandoms, you might encounter “ARO ships,” which are pairings of characters where one or both of the characters are interpreted as aromantic or where the ship focuses on a non-romantic connection, such as a deep friendship or platonic relationship. This term helps to acknowledge and validate aromantic experiences within the broader shipping culture.