If you’ve been hunting for the indie horror hit Mouthwashing on Itch.io lately, you might’ve noticed it’s nowhere to be found in search results. At first, folks assumed it was caught up in the recent NSFW content crackdown on the platform, but Itch.io has stepped up to clear the air: the game hasn’t appeared in searches for nearly nine months, and it’s not because of new policy changes.
Here’s the deal. Earlier this year, Steam introduced a rule banning content that conflicts with payment processors’ guidelines, leading to about 100 games being delisted, mostly adult-only content. Itch.io followed suit with its own update, deindexing all NSFW games while reviewing them to satisfy payment processor demands. This move came after pressure from groups like Collective Shout, who targeted games with themes involving sexual violence.
In the midst of this, Mouthwashing was flagged as missing from Itch.io’s search results, prompting speculation that it was another victim of the crackdown. Martin Halldin, audio lead at developer Wrong Organ, even said on Bluesky he wasn’t surprised given the new Mastercard/Visa rules, but Itch.io pushed back hard on that assumption.
Turns out, Mouthwashing hasn’t been indexed since October 2024 because it doesn’t meet the site’s indexing rules. Specifically, the developer removed all playable files from the Itch.io page earlier this year and replaced the download button with a link to Steam. Since Itch.io requires games to have downloadable, purchasable, or browser-playable files to appear in search results, the game lost its spot, no policy change needed.
This game hasn't been indexed Since October 2024 since it doesn't meet our indexing criteria: itch.io/docs/creator…They are using a "Download" button as a link to Steam. The developer took down any playable files form this page in 2024.
Halldin later admitted he “made an incorrect assumption” about the removal and apologized publicly to Itch.io. And just to be clear, Mouthwashing is still available for purchase on Steam, so it’s not gone for good.
But here’s a question: does this whole NSFW crackdown on platforms like Itch.io and Steam have a chilling effect on games tackling tough, mature themes? Yikes, that’s a real concern for many devs who want to tell stories that aren’t just safe and sanitized.
Anyway, it’s good to have the facts straight on this one. Mouthwashing’s absence isn’t the start of some secret purge; it’s simply a result of how Itch.io’s indexing works, combined with the developer’s choices. So if you want to play it, Steam’s your best bet.
What do you think about these platform rules and how they affect indie games with adult or sensitive content?
