itch.io is Updating Its Policy on NSFW Content

It was announced today on itch.io that all adult content on the website has been “deindexed” from its browser and search pages due to scrutiny from its payment processors. Due to the urgency of the situation it was unable to provide creators advance notice before making these changes. 

Itch.io is an open marketplace for independent game creators where it is completely free to upload content.

The itch.io post states, “Due to a game titled No Mercy, which was temporarily available on itch.io before being banned back in April, the organization Collective Shout launched a campaign against Steam and itch.io, directing concerns to our payment processors about the nature of certain content found on both platforms.” 

This NSFW policy update was made in order to ensure that the website can “continue to provide a marketplace for all developers.” The site will be conducting an audit of content in order to ensure that it can meet the requirements of its payment processors.

Pages will remain “deindexed” until the review is completed. Following that, itch.io intends to introduce compliance measures for NSFW pages where creators must confirm that their content is allowable under these new policies. Part of the review will also have certain pages permanently removed. 

You can read the entire update over on itch.io now.