NB: I’m no spokesperson for Akismet. For an official response from Akismet, please post in the plugin’s support forum here: https://www.ads-software.com/support/plugin/akismet/
Did something change at Akismet?
Akismet is still owned by Automattic. And the Akismet license terms haven’t changed much in a long time. But I’ve seen the Akismet folks have become more aggressive in policing the “non-commercial” terms of their free “Personal” plan.
I (rather stupidly) used my free API key on dozens of client sites over the years… and I’ve received several of the kind of emails you received, as they seem to be checking one site after the other.
They’re saying my site is for a commercial organisation, when it’s a personal blog. I’ve asked them which part suggests the site is commercial when it’s personal, but they haven’t replied.
If your email is anything like mine, then I don’t think they’re claiming your site is for a “commercial organization”. Rather, they’re saying it’s a “commercial site” (ie there’s commercial activity on the site).
A personal site can still be commercial in nature.
I’ll kindly recommend you read their terms of service and their Free vs Paid license document. The latter document says:
Free keys are for personal, non-commercial sites only — no exceptions.
Read that as “Free keys are for personal AND non-commercial sites only“. In other words, to use the free license, the site must be both a personal site and also have no commercial activity. So if you have a personal site but have commercial activity on it, you can’t use their free license.
And what does Akismet consider “commercial activity”? The same Free vs Paid page linked above has this:
If your site has advertising or affiliate links, sells products or services, solicits donations or sponsorships, or is in any way related to a for-profit business or educational organization — your site is considered commercial.
So, I guess they are saying your personal site that promotes your editing services and has links to your books does not qualify for their free “Personal Plan”, hence the threat to suspend your account (for violating the terms of their license).
Again, the license terms have not changed. It seems they’re simply enforcing it more rigidly.
And you may post in the Akismet plugin’s support forum to get their official word on this: https://www.ads-software.com/support/plugin/akismet/
Good luck!
