Gumroad, an e-commerce platform that helps creators sell digital products, has implemented stricter regulations regarding the sale of NSFW (Not Safe For Work) content. The company attributed the changes to constraints imposed by payment processors like Stripe and PayPal.
For creators specializing in adult-oriented art, such as explicit comic books or risqué cosplay photographs, these abrupt policy adjustments pose a significant concern, potentially resulting in an unanticipated loss of revenue.
Gumroad Disallows Sale of NSFW Content
Gumroad's revised guidelines stipulate the prohibition of sexually explicit content on the platform, aligning with the standards set by payment processing partners such as Stripe and PayPal.
It provided a delineation of sexually explicit content, encompassing media crafted primarily for sexual gratification, including fetish content, media depicting characters engaged in sexual scenarios, or content produced with the intent to titillate.
Explicit examples of prohibited content across various media formats include photography, videos, animations, illustrations, written works, and audiobooks. Audio products are also prohibited.
The updated guidelines also allow certain adult content on Gumroad, and creators are required to appropriately label NSFW (Not Safe For Work) products.
Despite creators being accustomed to the potential for platform deplatforming, as evidenced by past incidents on platforms like Patreon and the near occurrence on OnlyFans, the ramifications of such policy shifts remain impactful.
The need to migrate followers to alternative platforms or redirect customers to different online storefronts can result in financial setbacks for creators.
Furthermore, Gumroad's decision may not be conducive to its business interests, as the platform garners a 10% commission on each sale, and adult content constitutes a significant portion of its offerings, TechCrunch reported.
Just For Fans Takes Advantage
Competitors like Just For Fans (JFF) are already capitalizing on the opportunity to welcome displaced creators into its platform. The online landscape for monetizing sexual content continues to face challenges.
OnlyFans, a platform synonymous with adult content, encountered backlash when it announced plans to prohibit such content in 2021. Despite subsequently reversing this decision to comply with stricter payment processor regulations, the incident underscores the complexities of hosting adult content online.
Similarly, Patreon recently updated its guidelines concerning adult content, prompting speculation among adult creators regarding the timing of these adjustments. In response to Gumroad's policy changes, JFF issued a statement extending an invitation to affected NSFW artists.
JFF expressed regret over the deplatforming of Gumroad creators while offering support by providing a designated Artwork category and other necessary features for selling adult-oriented artwork on their platform.
"Attention #Gumroad NSFW artists. We are sorry to hear you are being deplatformed. Come over to JFF. We just added a new Artwork category for you and can add other features you need. But as is, you can sell your artwork on your jff page's store and make that the default view of your page (vs a subscription-based profile) if you'd like," JFF said in a post on X.
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