Kickstarter has announced two massive changes on its business model, making it easier for people to get their projects up on the website to launch crowdfunding campaigns.
The two changes are Kickstarter's new Launch Now feature and simplified rules that filtered the company's guidelines into three basic principles.
Yancey Strickler, Kickstarter CEO, introduced these new rules and discussed them in detail at the Kickstarter blog.
In the past, people who want their projects launched on Kickstarter first had to receive feedback from a review of the project by a Kickstarter Community Manager. The Launch Now feature will allow people to bypass the Community Manager review and put up the project's campaign onto the Kickstarter website immediately.
People will still have the choice to receive feedback from a Community Manager though. Over 100,000 projects have been assisted by Kickstarter's Community Managers, as they give advice and support for the best interest of the projects.
The Launch Now feature, when chosen, will check thousands of data points regarding the project, including its submitted description, offered rewards, earmarked goal and past projects by the one who submitted it. The project will be allowed to launch if it qualifies for the feature. If not, it will have to go through review.
The company also cleared out several rules that the company felt was no longer necessary. Kickstarter simplified their rules to follow three basic ideas: projects should create something to be shared, project should be presented honestly and clearly and projects should not raise funds for charity, offer financial rewards or involve illegal items.
Previously prohibited items on Kickstarter, such as bath and beauty items and several kinds of software, are now allowed. Hardware projects are now also allowed to give out multiple units as rewards.
"The health and integrity of the system are our biggest priorities. Our Moderation and Trust & Safety teams are working every day to make sure everyone on Kickstarter is following the rules. And these streamlined rules still expect the same things from projects that we did on day one: make something to share with others, and be honest with the people around you," said Strickler on Kickstarter's blog.
Kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns have collectively raised over $1 billion for projects that include innovative technology, music records, documentaries, restaurants and so much more. Campaigns launched on Kickstarter must reach their goal to be able to receive money, with 44 percent of campaigns being able to do so.
