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Domain Due Diligence

Report for Itch.io

Report Date
October 16, 2025
Recommendation
Caution
Overall Summary
Suspicious
  Why we think so? 

itch.io is a well-established online platform founded in 2011 that facilitates distribution and discovery of indie games. It ranks highly with over 40 million monthly visits worldwide, mostly from the United States and other countries. The site uses reputable technology providers like Cloudflare and standard payment methods including PayPal and Stripe. Official contacts and social media profiles are publicly listed, and there are no technical blacklists or safety warnings against the domain. However, users and developers report significant issues with delayed payouts, sometimes lasting months, causing financial hardship for some creators. The platform has also faced community concerns about malicious user-uploaded content containing malware and fraudulent reviews. While these risks stem mainly from the open nature of itch.io’s marketplace, there are no verified reports labeling itch.io itself as a scam or fraudulent company. The site has been involved in some disputes, such as a disruptive domain takedown incident in 2024 and compliance-related content removals requested by payment processors. Overall, itch.io remains a legitimate but complex platform. Users should exercise caution with unverified downloads and be aware of potential payout delays if they are developers. It is advisable to verify content sources and monitor community feedback when engaging with itch.io.

Confidence Score
73%

Risk Insights

🛡️

High traffic and tech legitimacy

  • Over 40 million monthly visits globally
  • Uses reputable technology and payment processors
  • Long-standing domain since 2011
⚠️

Payout delays risk creator trust

  • Developers report waiting weeks to months for payments
  • Causes financial hardship for some independent creators
  • Official support responses remain slow
⚠️

User-uploaded content security risks

  • Malware hidden in some game downloads reported
  • Users advised to scan files and verify sources
  • Platform moderation has limitations

Contradictory Signals

Though itch.io operates legitimately, persistent operational issues cause suspicion among some users.

Signal A: Platform is legitimate business with large user base and no blacklists

Signal B: Users frequently report payout and scam-related problems

Category Scores

Red Flags & Warnings

  • Widely reported delayed payouts to creators for weeks or months, leading to financial stress.
  • Platform hosts user-generated content, including malware-infected games that have tricked some users.

🔎 Detailed Checks & Analysis

Domain age and registrar status

Score: 90/100
Passed

"WHOIS shows long lifetime and no red flags in status or registrar history."

Reason: The itch.io domain has been registered since 2011 with no suspicious registrar changes and stable DNS records.

Traffic authenticity and user engagement

Score: 85/100
Passed

"Traffic sources are primarily direct and search, with widespread international users."

Reason: The site draws over 40 million visitors monthly, ranking in the top 1000 globally, indicating legitimate traffic.

Reputation and user complaints

Score: 50/100
Failed

"No evidence of intentional fraud by the company, but operational problems impact trust."

Reason: Significant user complaints exist regarding delayed payments and financial hardships for developers using the platform.

Reported security threats and scam involvement

Score: 45/100
Failed

"Platform moderation efforts exist but cannot fully prevent scams due to open marketplace nature."

Reason: Malware has been distributed through user-uploaded content, requiring caution from users.

Legal disputes and content disputes

Score: 80/100
Passed

"These incidents do not suggest fraud but represent challenges in platform management."

Reason: No major lawsuits against itch.io found; some content removals due to payment processor pressure and a domain takedown incident occurred.

Your Next Steps

  • 1

    If you are a developer using itch.io, monitor payout status closely and keep detailed records of payments and communications.

  • 2

    Exercise caution when downloading games, especially from lesser-known developers; use antivirus and scan downloads.

  • 3

    Check community forums and reviews for updated feedback before purchasing or investing time in content from itch.io.

  • 4

    Report suspicious content or payment issues to itch.io support and relevant consumer protection agencies if unresolved.

  • 5

    Stay informed about payment processor policies affecting content availability on the platform.

Evidence & Citations

🕵🏻 Keep investigating

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