In order to launch a project on Kickstarter, a creator must first go through steps to verify their identity, this ensures that they are a real person. The creator’s verified name is then displayed publicly in the creator bio.
We encourage backers to thoroughly check a project and its creator before deciding to pledge, we share some suggestions in our “How do I know a project creator is who they claim they are?” article.
Often when a project is experiencing delays we see that backers start to worry that the creator has abandoned their project. However, it’s important to understand that project delays are a normal part of the creative process. After all, it’s easy to underestimate how much time is needed to complete a project, which is why we ask creators for an estimate on when they hope to begin delivering rewards. The estimated delivery date is just that, an estimate, and is not a guarantee.
Kickstarter will reach out to creators when it’s evident that they have not been as communicative with their backers as we’d expect. For example, if we receive user reports that a creator has stopped communicating, we may investigate and reach out to the creator directly. We’ll share resources that may help them, and will encourage them to post a new update and reply to backer’s messages. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a creator to feel overwhelmed when they are receiving a lot of comments and messages, and often are hesitant to post a new update when they see that their backer community is unhappy with their project’s progress.
If a creator hasn’t posted a new update in over 4 weeks, we recommend requesting an update via the project page as a first step.
In instances where a creator has become overwhelmed we ask that you are supportive and understanding, and avoid sending anything unkind. And most of all, be patient. Remember that there is a human being behind every project.