Unfortunately due to AI email spam, the Free Stickers project has ended (unless you are an active Neocities user.) There's a full write-up of my thoughts on the Updates page, but I'm really bummed out I had to do this so soon. Thought it would be at least until 2027 until the spam would get bad. Oh well

Also here's a good resource on how to sniff out AI sites on Neocities: https://resrc.neocities.org/posts/how-to-tell-whe If you're already on here, chance are you'll be fine going forward since anything weird you notice in the future compared to now is probably a fake person. My heart weeps for future people that would want to join Neocities though- they probably won't be able to tell who's real by the time they join

that is such an unfortunate turn of events, i'm sorry, tab.

heartbreaking that a wonderful project built on good will is being exploited like this :((

damn that actually sucks ass :( hopefully i'll be able to grab a sticker myself to help spread them around (albeit im just good ol canada) but that's disheartening that it has come to this

man what a shame :( i hadn't checked for a while and just now am seeing the new design... it looks so cool

I get odd emails about the free stuff on my site sometimes too. I've been thinking about adding friction to my process, maybe by having people request what they want by mail. That adds a cost (in the form of a PO box or virtual mailbox) and potentially annoying logistics, and fewer people would participate. But I think there are some possible benefits, like the potential for trade. And supporting the USPS lol.

that sucks ai ruins everything

its genuinely amazing how much thought, effort and care you've put into this sticker project. im sorry ai has been infecting it though, i hope that maybe in the future there could be better ai detection that can help filter these assholes out.

In that case, im keeping my stickers for as long as i can

Thanks everyone, I should emphasize though: I'm still giving out stickers to people on Neocities (who don't have a suspicious-looking profile) but 90% of the people who asked for free stickers were just normal people looking to escape big social apps. I hate how I have to exclude real people that just want to stop by for a cool free souvenir, but at least the project is still somewhat alive

Also @oopsiedoodle that's a really smart idea, definitely gonna consider that... (though I wish PO boxes were cheaper! $40 every 3 months for an Extra Small box is kinda high)

:anguish: I'd really hate for the free stickers to end due to AI. alas, I suppose it's another thing to add to the 'AI ruins everything list' (also i hope that the problems with international shipping in the US get resolved because that transparent sticker looks so cool!)

I think you should replace the dots with a symbol

aw man, first the take the guarantee of knowing anything you see is made by a human with a heart and soul, and now they take my free stickers, this CANNOT continue.

sucks to see this happening to you, i hope you'll be able to spread your stickers to everyone again (not just here)

As a proud owner I can only say 🤬.

i wish all clankers a very happy DIE

You have a Brother QL-800... wow

Completely agree with your decision! In many ways it's much better as it's something more specific for necoties/Indie web, and maybe as a little incentive for someone to start their own website and get on with it hih!

what a shame, but your decision is very understandable!

A real shame, but completely understandable dear <3

Well that is a bummer, hope you can get it up and running again someday!