If you’re serious about turning your college notes into a profitable side hustle, the last thing you want is to get banned.
Platforms like Stuvia, Studypool, and Docsity have strict quality, copyright, and ethics rules, and they don’t hesitate to suspend sellers who break them — even accidentally.
Here’s what typically gets accounts banned (with real examples), plus exactly how to avoid these mistakes so your recurring income keeps rolling in.
Uploading Copyrighted or Stolen Material
Why It Gets You Banned:
This is the #1 reason sellers lose their accounts. Uploading lecture slides, textbook pages, or screenshots of copyrighted materials violates intellectual property law.
Real Example:
A seller uploaded an entire PDF from a Pearson textbook labeled “Chapter 4 Notes.” It was removed within hours, and the seller’s account was permanently banned.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Only upload notes written in your own words.
✅ Recreate diagrams and examples — don’t copy them.
✅ If you reference textbook concepts, cite them generically (“Chapter 5 Summary – Cellular Respiration”) rather than copying text.
Submitting Homework Answers or Exam Questions
Why It Gets You Banned:
Platforms strictly prohibit academic misconduct — anything that could be seen as “cheating assistance.”
Even if you think you’re “helping,” uploading completed homework, test banks, or past exams can get you flagged immediately.
Real Example:
A user on Studypool was permanently banned for uploading a file titled “Microeconomics Exam – Full Answer Key.”
How to Avoid It:
✅ Stick to study guides, practice problems, or exam prep outlines.
✅ Label materials as “review notes” or “study summaries,” not “answers” or “solutions.”
✅ Avoid mentioning the word test, exam, or quiz in your file name.
Using AI or Copying Other Sellers’ Notes
Why It Gets You Banned:
Platforms have plagiarism and AI-detection systems.
If your content matches other uploads or looks artificially generated, it’s flagged automatically.
Real Example:
A Stuvia seller copy-pasted generic summaries from ChatGPT and reuploaded them — their earnings were withheld, and the account was closed.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Use AI tools (like ChatGPT) to help format, outline, or rephrase, not to write your entire content.
✅ Add personal context — e.g., “My professor emphasized…” or “Based on Lecture 4.”
✅ Include visuals, color highlights, or examples that show human effort.
Posting Blurry or Unreadable Files
Why It Gets You Banned:
Low-quality uploads hurt buyer trust and the site’s reputation. Some platforms will flag your account if you repeatedly post files with poor readability or formatting.
Real Example:
A seller uploaded handwritten calculus notes with poor lighting and overlapping ink. After two refund requests, their seller profile was frozen.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Always scan or upload PDFs rather than photos.
✅ Use note apps like Notion, OneNote, or Google Docs for clean digital copies.
✅ Add headers, page numbers, and clear section dividers.
Misleading Titles or Overpricing Notes
Why It Gets You Banned:
Misrepresenting your content (like labeling “Chapter 3 Notes” as a “Full Course Pack”) or pricing poorly can lead to buyer complaints and removal.
Real Example:
A seller priced three pages of lecture notes at $45, received multiple refund requests, and got permanently suspended.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Be honest in your titles — describe exactly what’s inside (e.g., “Week 1–6 Lecture Notes”).
✅ Price fairly:
- Single Lecture Notes: $3–$10
- Full Course Summaries: $15–$40
- Study Bundles: $30–$60+
✅ Upload a small sample preview to show quality.
Ignoring Buyer Messages or Refund Requests
Why It Gets You Banned:
On some platforms, poor communication or unresolved refund requests can count against your rating — eventually resulting in a suspension.
Real Example:
A Docsity seller ignored refund requests for missing pages. Their seller score dropped below 2.0 and the account was closed.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Check messages weekly.
✅ Be polite and professional — respond quickly to refund questions.
✅ Double-check your uploads for missing pages or mislabeled sections.
Posting the Same File on Multiple Accounts
Why It Gets You Banned:
Each platform expects your uploaded content to come from a single verified account.
If you duplicate content across different seller accounts or fake multiple logins to boost sales, it’s considered fraud.
Real Example:
A seller created two Studypool profiles and uploaded identical notes to both — both accounts were removed.
How to Avoid It:
✅ Stick to one seller account per platform.
✅ You can upload the same file to multiple different platforms (like Stuvia and Docsity), but not under multiple profiles.
Forgetting to Follow Platform Policies
Why It Gets You Banned:
Each site has slightly different rules. Not reading them could lead to accidental violations (for example, OneClass prohibits uploading any content from active courses).
How to Avoid It:
✅ Always review the site’s “Terms of Service” or “Seller Guidelines.”
✅ Check your dashboard for updates — platforms occasionally change policies.
✅ When in doubt, contact support before uploading questionable content.
| ❌ Mistake | 🚫 What Happens | ✅ Avoid It By |
|---|---|---|
| Uploading copyrighted slides or textbooks | Permanent ban | Write your own summaries |
| Sharing homework or exam answers | Account suspension | Create review guides instead |
| Using AI-generated content | Removal for plagiarism | Add personal context and visuals |
| Posting poor-quality scans | Refunds and deactivation | Upload clear, digital PDFs |
| Overpricing or false titles | Buyer complaints | Be honest and fair in pricing |
| Ignoring refund requests | Low rating, ban | Respond quickly and fix issues |
| Multiple accounts | Fraud alert | One profile per platform |
Pro Tips for Long-Term Success (and Recurring Income)
To keep your recurring income going strong and your account in good standing:
✅ Upload only your original work — notes that show understanding, not replication.
✅ Create a consistent style (headers, boxes, tables) that buyers recognize and trust.
✅ Stay active — upload every semester to stay visible in search results.
✅ Maintain a high seller rating (4.5★ or above) by answering questions and keeping notes updated.
Bonus: The more positive reviews your notes get, the higher your search ranking — which means more downloads and steady passive income.
