Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11A finished build is only part of a ready-to-publish itch.io project. Before making it public, check that the page copy, cover and screenshots accurately represent the work, the metadata matches what it actually supports, and the uploaded files are packaged for the right project type. This matters most before the first public release: itch.io says it enters Most Recent and cannot be moved back to the top of that page.
Check what each itch.io page field is for
A free itch.io account can create a project page. The title, short description and cover image help present the project in listings; the longer description appears on the project page. Give each element a distinct job rather than relying on one to explain everything. itch.io’s getting-started guide explains the page fields and setup.
- Title: Use the project’s actual name, spelled consistently across the page and files.
- Short description: Tell a browsing visitor what the project is in a compact, specific line.
- Cover: Use an image that represents the project and remains legible at listing size.
- Long description: Explain what the visitor can download, play, read or otherwise experience, and provide practical details suited to that project.
Make the project description useful for this kind of work
There is no need to force every possible section onto every page. Include the information that helps someone decide whether the project is for them and understand how to use it. itch.io’s page-design guidance recommends informative content and headings that make descriptions easy to scan.
- For a game or interactive tool, explain controls and input devices, relevant features, and minimum or recommended system requirements when applicable.
- For a narrative project, comic or soundtrack, give an appropriate summary and explain how the work is experienced or accessed.
- State development status or plans only if they are relevant and accurate.
- Add credits, useful links for fans, and contact or support details where they help visitors.
itch.io’s creator guide specifically recommends including contact information in the instructions so fans know how to reach you. Keep links working, and make any instructions clear enough that a visitor can begin without guessing.
Prepare the cover and decide whether screenshots fit
Use the recommended cover proportions
itch.io recommends a 315:250 aspect ratio for the cover image, with 315×250 pixels as the minimum; it gives 630×500 pixels as an example of a larger image at the same ratio. These are platform recommendations for presentation, not a universal image-format requirement. See Your first itch.io page for the specification.
Check the image at a small display size before publishing: the project should still be recognizable, and any text should remain readable. itch.io’s quality guidance also says covers and screenshots may be animated GIFs, but animated covers should avoid seizure-inducing effects. Review the current quality guidelines for image and content guidance.
Use screenshots when they show the work well
For projects where screenshots are useful, itch.io recommends three to five. Choose images that honestly show the experience rather than unrelated promotional art. Screenshots are not appropriate for every project: the quality guide gives text-only Twine works as an example where images may be unsuitable.
If your page design does not use a screenshots column, the design guide recommends another way to show project images, such as embedding them in the description. A cover is still relevant to browse presentation and is among the conditions itch.io lists for Search and Browse indexing; having one does not guarantee indexing, ranking or traffic. See itch.io’s indexing guidance.
Rank #3
Verify metadata and platform claims
Choose categories, tags, language and classifications that describe the actual project. Irrelevant or inaccurate metadata can jeopardize eligibility for discovery features. Before release, check each selection against the work rather than choosing extra labels in the hope of reaching more visitors. itch.io’s quality guidelines cover accurate presentation and classifications.
For operating systems and devices, select only platforms on which the project directly runs. If you are unsure whether a platform works, select only those you have tested. A PNG or other non-executable asset does not become an executable project merely because a computer can open it; choose the project type that matches what visitors receive. Refer to the platform’s current quality guidance for the relevant classifications.
If generative AI applies to the uploaded work, check the current quality guidelines for the disclosure and tagging rules for that specific category. The applicable rule can depend on the kind of project or asset, so do not assume a label or threshold without checking the current instructions.
Check the upload package for the project type
Downloadable projects
A downloadable release may use one ZIP per supported platform; bonus artwork or soundtrack files can be uploaded separately. itch.io supports multiple project types and lets creators add uploads through the project editor. A page needs an upload available to be purchasable. The creator setup guide describes the upload workflow.
The Creator FAQ says individual file size is limited and recommends no more than 10 files per page; it notes that limits can be raised by request. It does not state a numeric general per-file limit in the cited FAQ, so do not apply HTML5-specific extraction limits to other kinds of uploads. See the Creator FAQ.
Browser-playable HTML5 games
For a multi-file HTML5 game, upload a ZIP with index.html as its entry point and include every file the game needs. Filenames are case-sensitive, so check capitalization and paths. itch.io documents these limits specifically for HTML5 ZIP uploads:
| HTML5 ZIP check | Documented limit |
|---|---|
| Extracted files | 1,000 maximum |
| Filename length, including path | 240 characters maximum |
| Total extracted content | 500 MB maximum |
| Any one extracted file | 200 MB maximum |
These limits apply to the documented HTML5 upload rules, not all itch.io uploads. Check Uploading HTML5 games for the current requirements before releasing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do the final review before the first public release
itch.io advises creators to wait until a public page has its needed images, files and classifications ready. A draft or restricted page can be shared for review without appearing in browse or search pages. Use that opportunity to check the project as a visitor would, then make the page public when it is complete. The first public release enters Most Recent and cannot be returned to the top of that page, so avoid treating launch as a placeholder.
- Open the project page in its intended public or restricted state and read the title, short description and longer description for clarity and consistency.
- Check the cover’s proportions and small-size legibility; confirm screenshots are relevant and display correctly, or omit them when they do not suit the work.
- Verify credits, instructions, contact details and links that are relevant to the project.
- Recheck category, tags, language, project type and supported-platform claims against the actual files and testing.
- Download or inspect the uploaded package. For HTML5, verify
index.html, required files, case-sensitive paths and the applicable extraction limits. - Confirm that the intended files are available on the page before making it public.
Completing these checks makes the page more accurate and discovery-ready; it does not promise placement in Search or Browse or a particular audience.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
