Following recent pressures on Steam, the digital storefront Itch.io has similarly begun to restrict a significant portion of its adult and sexually explicit content. This decision was primarily influenced by the organization Collective Shout, the same group that previously targeted Steam, which cited concerns to payment processors as the main reason for these content removals.
Reports of these deletions emerged on July 23, when developers observed that games tagged as NSFW (Not Safe For Work) were being “shadowbanned” – made invisible in searches and browsing – while some titles were removed entirely. On July 24, Itch.io released a statement confirming these widespread changes and explaining the circumstances behind them.
The official statement began by acknowledging the “deindexing” of all adult NSFW content from their platform`s browse and search functionalities. It expressed regret for the sudden and disruptive nature of this action, apologizing for the ensuing frustration and confusion among its community.
The company further clarified that it had faced scrutiny from its payment processors regarding the nature of certain content hosted on Itch.io. Specifically, a game titled “No Mercy,” which was briefly available before being banned in April, triggered Collective Shout`s campaign against both Steam and Itch.io, prompting them to escalate their concerns directly to the payment service providers regarding the types of content on both platforms.
In both instances, Collective Shout`s strategy involved pressuring the storefronts by targeting their financial intermediaries. Earlier that month, the group had sent an open letter to these companies, accusing them of profiting from games containing material depicting sexual abuse.
Itch.io`s statement indicated that the “situation developed rapidly,” making it impossible to provide advanced warning to affected creators. The company is now undertaking a comprehensive audit of its content to ensure compliance with the new terms dictated by its payment processors. During this audit, all previously “deindexed” pages will remain inaccessible, and any future content tagged as NSFW will require additional verification before being made available.
These policy adjustments represent a significant setback for Itch.io, which has cultivated a strong reputation among independent developers as a welcoming haven for adult and queer content, including games and digital zines. The platform is also known for its “pay what you want” model, which has been instrumental in allowing creators to maximize their earnings and contribute to charitable and humanitarian causes.
In response to Itch.io`s sweeping policy revisions, many creators and vocal supporters are now reassessing their future on the platform. They are also initiating efforts to collectively challenge the payment processors, arguing that these bans are unfairly broad and restrictive.