All Discussions > Steam Forums > Suggestions / Ideas > Topic Details
⎛⎝Fawxxy⎠⎞ 24 Jun @ 10:03am
Please remove all "Game Updates" that advertise off-Steam purchases
I'm really getting tired of seeing "Game Updates" used to advertise third-party products and unrelated content. These update feeds are supposed to inform players about things happening in the game itself.. patches, events, balance changes, content drops, etc.

Instead, more and more developers are using them to push merch, plushies, pillows, or even promote completely different games they're working on.. usually linking to external websites.
One recent example: Ready or Not posting about a body pillow pre-order.

This isn't what the "News & Updates" section is for. If I wanted to shop for merch or back a crowdfunding campaign, I'd go to those sites myself. On Steam, I expect game-related news.. not a marketing feed.

At the very least, there should be:

  • A separate section or tag for these ads


Steam needs to better moderate how this feature is used. Right now, it's becoming spammy and annoying. Please address it.

Also remove awards from comments, please.
Last edited by ⎛⎝Fawxxy⎠⎞; 24 Jun @ 10:06am
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Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:
Go into the settings for the What's New shelf and show less of that particular type of update and only show updates for the games themselves.

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/marketing/event_tools/visibility#6

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/discussions/forum/10/601907762377554604/

:nkCool:
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Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
Crazy Tiger 24 Jun @ 10:09am 
They're news updates, not game updates. Personally I'm fine with them, they're related to the game/dev/publisher, don't see an issue there.

I also doubt very much that Valve agrees with your expectations.
#1
⎛⎝Fawxxy⎠⎞ 24 Jun @ 10:11am 
Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:
They're news updates, not game updates. Personally I'm fine with them, they're related to the game/dev/publisher, don't see an issue there.

I also doubt very much that Valve agrees with your expectations.
Fair, but I disagree on the core point.

Yes, they’re called "news updates," but the intent of the section and how most players use it is to stay informed about what's actually happening in the game they own. Not to be shown external merch ads or unrelated game announcements.

If developers want to post that kind of content, there should be separate tags like:
  • Game Update

  • Event

  • Merch Promo

  • New Game Announcement

That way players can filter or mute what they’re not interested in.

Steam is a platform for playing and managing games. When the news section turns into a marketing feed, it loses its value for players who just want to keep up with gameplay changes. If enough developers keep misusing it, people will stop reading it altogether.

You’re probably right that Valve doesn’t care much right now, but that doesn’t mean feedback like this isn’t worth posting.
Last edited by ⎛⎝Fawxxy⎠⎞; 24 Jun @ 10:12am
#2
The author of this thread has indicated that this post answers the original topic.
cSg|mc-Hotsauce 24 Jun @ 10:22am 
Go into the settings for the What's New shelf and show less of that particular type of update and only show updates for the games themselves.

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/marketing/event_tools/visibility#6

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/discussions/forum/10/601907762377554604/

:nkCool:
#3
⎛⎝Fawxxy⎠⎞ 24 Jun @ 10:32am 
Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:
Go into the settings for the What's New shelf and show less of that particular type of update and only show updates for the games themselves.

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/marketing/event_tools/visibility#6

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/discussions/forum/10/601907762377554604/

:nkCool:
Based. Valve really needs to make this the default behavior.

Absolutely no one should have to dig through their settings just to stop seeing off-topic ads or non-game-related posts in their game news feed.

If it's meant to be an actual update feed, then it should prioritize in-game content by default. Let people opt in to merch drops or dev studio announcements if they want.. not the other way around.
#4
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All Discussions > Steam Forums > Suggestions / Ideas > Topic Details
Date Posted: 24 Jun @ 10:03am
Posts: 4
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