What we restrict on Buy Me a Coffee
Buy Me a Coffee is built to support creators — writers, musicians, artists, educators, developers, and many more — who are doing meaningful, creative work. Our mission is to make that easier, more sustainable, and more rewarding.
To protect this space and everyone in it, we have clear rules on what can and can’t be shared or sold on the platform. These rules exist to keep Buy Me a Coffee safe, legal, and welcoming for the community we care deeply about.
Most creators never have to think about these restrictions. But we’re laying everything out clearly — no fine print, no gray areas — so expectations are always clear.
What’s not allowed on Buy Me a Coffee
Here are the types of content, activities, and products we do not allow. If you see something missing or unclear, email our team at [email protected] — we’d rather clarify than take action later.
Illegal or prohibited activities
We do not allow anything that breaks the law, violates international regulations, or supports harmful behavior. This includes:
IPTV subscriptions or unauthorized streaming services
Distribution or sale of illegal drugs and substances
Weapons, firearms, explosives, or other dangerous goods
Human trafficking, ransom, or bribery
Tax evasion or schemes to avoid legal obligations
Providing fake references, forged documents, or fake ID services
Unauthorized replicas, counterfeit goods, or software keys (e.g. Windows, Steam)
Hacked or pirated software, including mods or cheats
Selling event tickets or processing payments for events you don’t directly organize
Adult and sexually explicit content
We do not allow adult content, services, or anything sexually explicit. This includes:
Pornographic content or explicit sexual material
Nudity or fetish content presented in a sexual context (e.g. lingerie, bikini shoots, adult cosplay)
AI-generated content that meets the criteria for adult or explicit material
Live chat platforms with adult themes
Adult video stores
Online dating services
Fetishes or non-pornographic adult content that leads to confusion or disputes over policy
Any content involving minors or non-consensual acts — this is a zero-tolerance violation. Such content will result in immediate and permanent removal and will be reported to the appropriate legal authorities.
Note: Artistic nudity is allowed if it is clearly presented as art, such as life drawing or sculpture, and not sexual in nature.
Violence, harm, and dangerous content
We do not allow anything that promotes or glorifies harm — whether physical, emotional, or psychological. This includes:
Violence or harm toward people, property, or animals
Self-harm or suicide content, including encouragement or romanticization
War glorification — content that praises, romanticizes, or celebrates acts of war or armed conflict, in any format (text, video, images)
Extremist ideologies or the promotion of violence
Excessive gore or disturbing media
Content that exposes private information or doxxes someone without consent
Hate speech and discrimination
We do not tolerate hate in any form. We take this extremely seriously. This includes:
Content that promotes hate or violence based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics
Slurs, dehumanizing language, or coded dog-whistles
Accounts created to attack or harass individuals or communities
Financial and regulated services
We do not support services that require regulation, involve deceptive practices, or fall outside the scope of our platform. This includes:
Pyramid schemes or get-rich-quick programs
Investment opportunities or passive income claims
Cryptocurrency tokens, NFTs, or crypto-related fundraising
Debt relief or financial consulting without professional credentials
Tax, legal, or financial services offered without licensing
Gift cards or resale of digital cash equivalents
Misinformation and harmful claims
We do not allow content that spreads misinformation, especially when it could harm public trust, safety, or well-being. This includes:
Health misinformation, including anti-vaccine narratives or fake cures
Political or election misinformation
Historical denialism or distorted accounts of past events
Conspiracy theories, hoaxes, or manipulated content meant to deceive
Misrepresentation and impersonation
We do not allow content or accounts that mislead others by impersonating individuals, organizations, or brands. This includes:
Pretending to be another person, including creators, public figures, or team members of Buy Me a Coffee
Using AI-generated media (voice, image, video, etc.) to impersonate someone without their clear consent
Impersonating or misrepresenting a company, institution, or brand in a way that causes confusion or harm
If you're creating parody or fan content, it must be clearly labeled as such and must not deceive or mislead users.
Fundraising, events, and gambling
We do not allow:
Political fundraising or campaign donations
Unauthorized raffles, lotteries, sweepstakes, or gambling
Gambling content, tips, or systems
Event ticket sales or payment processing unless you are the verified host
Regulated or restricted products
Some physical and digital items are not allowed on Buy Me a Coffee, even if legal in your country. These include:
Food or drink products
Medical products or health supplements
Skincare, beauty, or cosmetic products (unless clearly handmade and properly labeled)
Any product — digital or physical — you didn’t create or don’t have rights to sell
What happens if these rules are violated
We strictly enforce these policies to protect the community. Violations may result in:
Immediate removal of content
Account suspension or permanent ban
Refunds issued to supporters
Reporting to law enforcement where necessary
We're here to help
If you're unsure whether your content is allowed, please reach out to our support team ([email protected]) before posting — we’ll be happy to review and guide you.
Our goal is never to punish, but to protect the creators who make this platform special.
Final note
Buy Me a Coffee reserves the right to determine what violates these guidelines. Our moderation decisions are final and made to protect the platform, its creators, and their supporters.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. We continuously monitor platform activity and will update this article as needed to include new types of content or behavior we find harmful or inappropriate.
These rules are not here to restrict creativity — they exist to safeguard the amazing, values-driven community we’re building.
Finally, we make no apologies for removing individuals who abuse the platform or put others at risk. If that’s not you, you’re in the right place — we built Buy Me a Coffee for creators like you!
Let’s build something amazing, together.