it is always better not to base contest results on number of likes or downloads, due to there is a lot of method to gain likes (legitimately or cheaty ways) if that was implemented as winninging criteria no one would even bother to join the contest.
yes, it should only be based on judges votes, but the judges seems to bail mid way and just choose anything ( i was shocked by the travel essentials contest results the 1st place is letteraly a salt and pepper container and the 3rd place is a chair leg adaptor for a chair not everyone has, not to mention the honorable mentions has a multiple sized cylindrical containers and a paint supplies bucket and jewelry display stand) how disappointing to see some efforts gone to waste, oddly enough non of these are travel essential.
i will see what will happen in the castle contest because i did a unique design which i focused on for 6 days in designing and testing and 18 hours printing, i would not be upset if it didn’t win, at least i can put it in different website, but i will be upset if non related junk been picked for winning.
after that i will decide how much effort i will be putting in maker world.
Note: i’m not saying the winners of travel essential designs are bad, but im saying they are winners for the wrong contest.