It has been approximately six months since I first uploaded my project. The initial indexing took around three months. After finally being indexed, I uploaded a significant update two days later — new files, improvements, and continued development work. As a result, the project was deindexed again, and I have now been waiting another three months without resolution.
This situation is unacceptable.
There is no clear timeline, no meaningful communication, and no transparency regarding what triggers deindexing or how long developers are expected to wait. Meanwhile, other projects are indexed within days. The inconsistency is extremely frustrating and damaging.
This is not only affecting me. A large number of developers are reporting the same issue on your support pages. The lack of responses to emails and tickets only reinforces the impression that this problem is being ignored.
itch.io positions itself as a platform that supports indie developers and small studios. However, months-long indexing delays with no explanation actively harm developers — especially those trying to build momentum, grow an audience, and continuously improve their work.
I am not asking for special treatment. I am asking for accountability, transparency, and structural improvements to this process. Developers deserve clear guidelines, predictable timelines, and communication when their projects are removed from indexing.
At minimum, developers should be provided with:
- A clear explanation of why projects are deindexed and what specific factors trigger that decision.
- A clear and realistic timeframe for how long indexing and reindexing typically take, so developers can plan accordingly.
- An estimated timeframe for when affected projects can expect to be reindexed.
- Clear guidance on how major updates can be submitted without automatically resetting the entire review process.
- Transparent, publicly available guidelines outlining what triggers deindexing and what developers can do to avoid repeated delays.
This ongoing uncertainty has already cost me audience growth and motivation. It should not be normal for developers to wait months in silence.