Dribbble, a popular platform for designers to showcase work and find clients, recently banned many users for sharing contact details before clients paid through the platform. One of the most famous banned designers is Gleb Kuznetsov, founder of the design studio Milkinside.
Kuznetsov’s account, which had over 210 million followers, was deleted after he shared his email with potential clients. He posted on social media that he lost 15 years of work and more than 100,000 monthly users without a warning or chance to appeal.
Dribbble changed its rules in March 2025. Now, designers must wait for clients to pay through the platform before sharing contact information. The company says this protects designers from unpaid work and helps Dribbble earn money by taking a cut of designers’ earnings. Designers can either pay for a subscription or share a percentage of their revenue with Dribbble.
Kuznetsov disagrees and says non-payment is rare. He believes Dribbble wants a bigger share of designers’ income. The platform’s CEO confirmed Kuznetsov ignored several warnings before banning him.
Many designers were upset by Dribbble’s strict enforcement. Kuznetsov says he is now working on a new platform to support designers better. His startup will use AI to help designers create and find inspiration. He plans to launch a basic version in a few months.
Kuznetsov said his goal is not to compete aggressively but to create a helpful space for designers who feel left out by Dribbble’s new rules.
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