✏️ Marketplace Change Log

[Update] Dispute notice

As announced in the general changelog, a new short static message was added to all Marketplace subforums and sales threads to remind and encourage members to interact with a buyer before they place an order. The reason for this decision is to protect both sides (sellers and members) in the event of a dispute.

The same message is also visible in the Want to Buy (WTB) and Hire a Freelancer subforums.

[Update] Sales Thread Edit Changes

We've made a small update to our sales thread editing policy.

This change was made in response to seller feedback and is intended to provide flexibility for correcting minor mistakes that are sometimes overlooked during the approval process. The goal is to make it easier to address small errors quickly once a thread goes live, without requiring a standard (paid) edit request.

For up to 72 hours after your sales thread is approved and goes live, you may submit a Thread Edit Request at no charge for a one-time minor update to your sales copy, such as:

• Correcting a typo
• Fixing grammar or formatting
• Adding or updating a link
• Adding or updating contact details
• Other minor corrections

Major changes, including updates to pricing, packages, refund policies, or other key sales information, are not covered by this exception and will be treated as standard paid thread edit requests.

Once the 72-hour window has expired, any further changes to the sales copy must follow the standard Thread Edit Request rules.

Please note that this exception applies only to newly approved sales threads and not to renewed ones.

Full rule content is included in the "Sales thread maintenance → Thread edit & re-testing rules" section.

[Update]Re-testing Sales Threads Rules

A small adjustment to the rules related to thread edit requests and re-testing was made: going forward, services will not be re-tested during thread edit requests when the price has dropped by more than 15%, only when the price has increased by more than 15%.

Please note that if you intend to reduce the price of your live sales threads, you still must submit a Thread Edit Request BEFORE updating your pricing.


Full rule content is included in the "Sales thread maintenance → Thread edit & re-testing rules" section.

[Update]Images Now Automatically Convert to WebP - Part 1

To improve Marketplace page speed and image delivery, all uploaded PNG, JPG, and JPEG images are now automatically converted to WebP.

NOTE: This is not a new change. We had been serving all images as WebP through Cloudflare for over 2 years.

What this means to sellers?

• No action is required.
• The conversion applies to attached images (through the "attach" button in the editor) and BHW Media.
• Continue uploading images as normal. No changes are required.
• Depending on how many images you have in your BHW Media storage and their total size, you may have gained more space.
  • To check that, navigate to Media > Add Media > Marketplace, and on the left side, right under your profile information, you'd see your media statistics. Check "Remaining storage" to see how much storage you have left.
• PNG, JPG, and JPEG files will be automatically converted during upload.
• GIF uploads are unaffected.
• The change is retroactive (all previously uploaded images will be converted to WebP).
• Faster-loading images can help create a smoother experience for potential buyers.
• File size limit remains 2MB for BHW Media and 1MB for attachments after WebP conversion. This is explained in detail in the Upload limitations section of the WebP guide.
• Sellers who want full control over image quality and compression can manually convert images to WebP before uploading. For more details, check out the "how to control image quality" section.

Full conversion completion

We estimate that the full conversion could take up to a week. This will NOT affect graphics loading in any sales threads during the conversion. We will make a follow-up announcement once completed.

Full WebP guide and FAQ can be found in Newbies+ Subforum → "Images Now Automatically Convert to WebP (What You Need to Know)"

Announcement in the General Changelog.

[Update]Images Now Automatically Convert to WebP - Part 2

Quick update: the WebP conversion was successful and completed.

If you experience any issues with the images, please contact Support.

[Update] Media Storage Expansion Rules Updated

We've updated the eligibility rules for media storage expansions.

Sellers with 5+ years of active sales history can receive 1 x 25 MB free upgrade when their storage is exhausted. Sellers with less than 5 years of history may purchase a one-time 25 MB upgrade for $100.

Additional upgrades cost $100 per 25 MB, except where more than 2 years have passed since the last storage upgrade, in which case a further 25 MB upgrade may be granted at no charge.

To request a storage expansion, please contact Support.

Full rules can be found in the "General Marketplace rules - Mandatory requirements" → Media vs Attached sales graphics

[Update] FRC (Free Review Copies) subforum moved

The Free Review Copies (FRC) subforum was moved to a new forum category: "Marketplace Goodies & Weekly Deals." It's located right after the Marketplace forum category.

No other change has been made to the FRC subforum itself.

[New] "Weekly Deals" Feature

A new Weekly Deals subforum (free advertising space) has been created to connect members looking to buy with sellers offering discounted products and services.

This new subforum will allow Jr. VIP and Marketplace Sellers with an approved and live sales thread a free, weekly recurring way to reach members who are actively looking for deals.

IMPORTANT:
We HIGHLY suggest you click on the "Watch" button in the Weekly Deals subforum. This way, you'd be among the first to be notified when a new weekly deals thread is created by staff and is awaiting your product or service's discount post.

How It Works

• Starting Nov 16th. (Monday), a new Weekly Deals thread for each subforum is posted by staff every Monday. The previous week's thread will be automatically closed after 7 days.
• Sellers get one post per week, per weekly deals thread using the required template, that covers all their active discounts across all services in the given category (or those that they want to list in the weekly deals).
• Posts must disclose the discount, code (if any), scope, and a link to the seller's sales thread.

Weekly deals categories

• The categories in the weekly deals threads mimic our Marketplace subforums with a few exceptions - services like SEO - Link Building, SEO - Packages, and SEO - Other will be listed in the same Weekly Deals - SEO/Link Building thread.
• Initially, only 3 categories will be launched - SEO, Proxies, and Hosting. The requirement to start a new weekly deals category is to get at least 15 sellers request via Support. The reason - there are services that do not offer discounts frequently or at all, therefore, weekly deals thread for their category would be of no use.

Key Rules
Eligibility

• Only Jr. VIP and Marketplace Sellers with a live, approved sales thread may post.
• Members will only browse through the discount offers, they cannot reply in the weekly deals thread.

Discount Requirements

• Discounts can't be lower than what's listed in your sales thread's opening post.
• No minimum discount required - any discount is welcome.
• No "DM me for discount code" posts; everything must be disclosed upfront.

Discount scope Requirements

• You must specify if the discount applies to all packages/items/etc. or just a specific package.

Content Restrictions

• No off-forum contact details
  • BHW DM/Conversation links are absolutely fine and part of the template.
• No external links.
• No images or videos.

HOT TIP

• Save your promo post's BBCode before the new thread goes live. That way, you can quickly copy-paste it to secure one of the very first spots in the new weekly deals thread. The higher in the thread your replies it, the more potential eyes will get.

Full details in the Weekly Deals rules.