So, I’ve been messing around with selling some digital art online, you know, just trying to make a few extra bucks on the side. I started using Gumroad because it seemed pretty straightforward – set up an account, upload your stuff, and start selling. It was going okay, I guess. I was selling some, uh, let’s just say “adult-themed” artwork, nothing illegal, just stuff that’s a little too spicy for your grandma’s living room, if you catch my drift.
But then, out of nowhere, Gumroad changes their rules. They announced that they’re implementing a ban on most NSFW content. I was like, “What the heck?” I mean, I get it, they have to protect their image and all that, but it totally screwed up my little side hustle. I had built up a small following on there, and now I have to figure out what to do. They’re basically saying, “Sorry, your art is too hot for us.” It’s not like I was selling anything illegal, just adult stuff that some people enjoy.
From what I understand, it’s because of their payment processor, Stripe. Stripe has a bunch of rules about what you can and can’t sell, and it seems like they’re cracking down on adult content. Maybe it’s pressure from their financial partners, or maybe they just don’t want to be associated with anything that could be considered “risky.” Who knows? All I know is that it’s a pain in the butt for me.
Now, I’m stuck trying to find a new platform to sell my art. I’ve been looking into some alternatives. Honestly, it’s a bit of a headache. There are a bunch of other sites out there, but they all have their own quirks and limitations. Some of them have really high fees, others have a terrible user interface, and some just don’t have the same reach as Gumroad. And of course, some of them might end up changing their rules in the future too, just like Gumroad did. It’s a mess.
I guess the lesson here is that you can’t always rely on these platforms. They can change their rules at any time, and you’re basically at their mercy. I’m still figuring things out. Maybe I’ll find a better platform, or maybe I’ll just give up on the whole thing. It’s frustrating, but what can you do?
I will keep trying some other platforms. Maybe I should build my own platform if I have enough money, haha.
- First I tried a platform called “XXX”, but the fees are killing me.
- Then I moved to “YYY”, but the user interface made me want to pull my hair out.
- Now I am testing “ZZZ”, seems OK for now.
I’ll keep you guys updated on how it goes. Wish me luck, I guess.
