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There has been a significant development in the ongoing situation surrounding itch.io. Recently, Leaf Corcoran, the founder of itch.io, announced in a forum post that the platform has started reinstating thousands of NSFW pages that were previously removed from search outcomes and suggestion lists. However, the reinstatement process has a condition: these deindexed pages must be available for free. This requirement stems from the need to avoid issues with payment processors, as no transactions are involved for free content.
“Today, we are re-indexing free adult NSFW content,” Corcoran stated. He added that the team is making efforts to bring back paid NSFW content as well, although this process may take longer. “We are in ongoing talks with payment processors and will gradually reintroduce paid content to ensure we support the broadest range of creators over time.”
The issue started last week when itch.io announced its decision to deindex all “NSFW” or “adult” material due to increasing pressure from payment processors. Corcoran noted that this led to the sudden removal of more than 20,000 pages containing games, books, comics, and artwork, with no prior notification.
“To maintain our operations and continue providing a platform for developers, we must prioritize our relationships with payment partners and comply swiftly,” Corcoran mentioned in the original announcement.
Since this occurrence, the itch.io community has launched a vigorous protest campaign, urging payment processors like Visa and Mastercard to allow itch.io to operate normally. In response, Seth Eisen, Mastercard’s senior vice president of communications, clarified in an email to The Verge that Mastercard has not imposed any content restrictions, contrary to some media reports:
“Mastercard does not review any games or dictate restrictions on creator platforms. Our network permits all lawful transactions, as long as merchants have suitable measures to prevent illegal purchases, including those involving illegal adult content.”
“Visa does not discriminate against legal transactions. Some merchants, such as adult content or gambling sites that operate legally, face an elevated risk of illegal activity, and we require enhanced safeguards for acquirers supporting merchants in these industries.”
In the meantime, Corcoran said that Stripe, one of itch.io’s payment processors for over 10 years, will not support NSFW content at all, but added that itch.io is working to find new business partners.
“We are in the process of talking with other payment partners to accept card payments that Stripe is unable to process,” Corcoran wrote. “Our long-term plan is to implement one or more new processors to avoid putting the platform at risk.”
