If I may, I would suggest removing those that were incorrectly recorded. Leaving them in inflates the sitewide download counts and unfairly devalues those creators whose downloads are normal.
I know that removing these points that had been recorded can cause some to complain, but for fairness to all, they should be removed.
Does MW have a reliable way to detect and prevent the same uploader creating two or more accounts and create multiple profiles under different account names to game the system? In other words, what if Designers A and B are actually the same person?
I uploaded a model yesterday. Its print profile shows 41 downloads and 21 prints, but the model itself shows only 7 downloads. That means 34 of the 41 profile downloads—about 83%—are not reflected in the model download count. The model takes around 4.2 hours to print, so I find it hard to understand how 21 prints can be recorded while only 7 model downloads are counted. Were downloads from people who actually printed it also filtered out? If so, why? Are the print counts filtered using the same criteria?
Up until August, I did see differences between profile and model downloads, but they were usually around 20%, or at most 30%. I had never seen a gap this large. I understand that prints can earn points too, but the difference in the download counts still needs an explanation. I’ve also noticed that the model and profile download counts match on MakerWorld CN.
I’m not sure repeated downloads explain this either. When I first started uploading models, a friend downloaded one of my models more than three times and printed it twice. For about a week, both the model and print profile showed only one download and one print. This is just one old observation, and I can’t verify exactly how the system handled it, so I don’t want to present it as proof. But it did give me the impression that repeated activity was already being limited.
If MakerWorld wants to change how creators earn points, I would appreciate a clear announcement and transparent rules. I understand why the platform might want to address low-effort uploads, such as meaningless AI-generated models or listings with photos that do not match the actual print. If changes to point eligibility are needed, please explain the criteria openly—for example, whether rewards begin after a model reaches a certain number of downloads, or whether other creator requirements apply.
I’m not asking you to count malicious activity. I’m asking why this particular model shows 41 profile downloads and 21 prints, but only 7 model downloads, and whether legitimate activity may have been filtered out.
I am surprised by the low 10%. Based on the lengths that some uploaders have gone to game the system for points, I would think the percentage of invalid download counts to be much higher, could be up to 30% of the overall platform data (gut feeling only, no data to back this up ). These invalid downloads could come from 1) donwloard trading, i.e. groups of trading partners, each having multiiple accounts downloading each others’ big number of models to avoid having a few models getting too many downloads that may catch attention; 2) self-downloads, i.e. the same person having multiple accounts downloading their own models; 3) bot downloads, either DIY bots or using third-party bot download services.
). These invalid downloads could come from 1) donwloard trading, i.e. groups of trading partners, each having multiiple accounts downloading each others’ big number of models to avoid having a few models getting too many downloads that may catch attention; 2) self-downloads, i.e. the same person having multiple accounts downloading their own models; 3) bot downloads, either DIY bots or using third-party bot download services.