From Passion to Frustration
Less exposure for my work. Fewer likes. Lower engagement. And in turn—less motivation to keep creating and sharing.
I didn’t think it was possible, but this platform has nearly cured me of my AI creating addiction( Thanks, Civitai for this?). Don’t get me wrong—I still love creating with AI. Part of the joy comes from crafting something unique and then sharing it with others. It’s human nature: when we make something we’re proud of, we want someone to see it, or even just offer a simple “thank you.”
But lately, sharing on Civitai doesn’t feel like it used to.
The Impact of Recent Changes
The platform's recent decisions have made it increasingly difficult for small creators—or just everyday users—to gain any visibility. I’ve spoken to others who feel the same way, and we’re all seeing the pattern:
The introduction of blue buzz took away meaningful incentives.
The nerfing of yellow buzz removed the recognition we used to get just for sharing images—effectively a slap in the face to the image creators on this platform.
The checkpoint bidding system that just favors those willing to spend money, with some users even paying to secure their spot on the image generator engine and their front page, leaving others buried and unseen.
These changes have fundamentally altered the atmosphere. What once felt like a growing, creative community now feels more like a content treadmill, where only a few are allowed to rise.
The Disappearing Sense of Community
For me, it’s not about money. It’s about community. The excitement of engagement, the feedback loop, the mutual encouragement—that’s what made this site feel alive.
Now, every day feels lonelier.
As engagement declines and appreciation for new content disappears, it no longer feels like a place where people genuinely interact. The platform may say it’s trying to sustain itself, but it’s failing to sustain its users—especially the smaller creators who don’t have a built-in audience or paid visibility.
Limited Options and Fading Incentives
The cost of generating content has gone up. Only a handful of checkpoints are regularly promoted. Users are funneled into the same limited options because they’re cheaper and easier to access, while dozens of excellent checkpoints are left to gather dust.
I don’t hate the new bid system outright—but it clearly favors only a small group.
If you asked me now whether I’d recommend Civitai to a new user hoping to share their work, I’d probably say: Why bother? With so many others posting, and with visibility increasingly tied to money or legacy status, your work is unlikely to be seen at all.
Challenges That Lost Their Purpose
At one point, I found excitement in the site’s regular challenges. They were a reason to create, and buzz rewards felt like validation.
But now, even the challenges have become oversaturated. Some users clearly don't care—they just dump images. And the frustrating cycle continues: generate buzz, use buzz to create more content, and watch it vanish into the void with zero feedback.
Loneliness in a Crowded Room
I made some great friends during Civitai’s earlier days, back when it felt more like a real community. Sadly, most of them have left—each wave of “needed changes” pushed more and more people away.
I used to give the platform the benefit of the doubt, thinking, Well, they’re just trying to survive. But now, I honestly believe it's either a string of poor decisions or a slow attempt to gut what once made this site special.
Recently, I've barely met anyone new. It feels like shouting into a canyon. I've stopped caring about buzz because I no longer believe it leads anywhere.
Closing Thoughts
I’m not writing this to rant, and I’m not trying to stir drama. I’m just putting it out there to see if anyone else feels the same.
If you've been here for a while and feel that spark fading—know you're not alone.
Peace.