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Jetpack Stats: Why Your Non-Commercial Site Might Be Flagged and How to Fix It

28 threads Sep 7, 2025 Plugin → Jetpack

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Many WordPress site owners have recently encountered a frustrating message: their access to Jetpack Stats has been restricted, and they are being asked to upgrade to a commercial plan, even though they believe their site is non-commercial. This guide explains the common reasons for this issue and the steps you can take to resolve it.

Why This Happens

The Jetpack team has implemented a new system to classify sites as either commercial or non-commercial. A site is typically flagged as commercial if its content or functionality falls into one of these categories:

  • Running advertisements or affiliate links.
  • Selling products or services (even if via a dormant WooCommerce plugin).
  • Soliciting donations or sponsorships.
  • Promoting a for-profit business, organization, or professional service.

Sometimes, automated systems can misclassify a truly non-commercial site. Common triggers include an inactive online store plugin or a single page asking for donations that the site owner may have forgotten about.

How to Regain Access to Free Stats

1. Perform a Self-Service Reclassification

The first step is to use the official tool to certify your site's non-commercial status.

  1. Visit your WordPress.com Stats purchase page at: https://wordpress.com/stats/purchase
  2. Check all the boxes that truthfully apply to your site, confirming it does not engage in commercial activities.
  3. Complete the verification flow. This often resolves the issue immediately.

2. Manually Audit Your Website

If the self-service tool does not work, your site may contain content that Jetpack's guidelines consider commercial. Before proceeding, check for and remove:

  • WooCommerce or other shop plugins: Even if not in use, the mere presence of an e-commerce plugin can flag your site. Deactivate and delete the plugin if you do not have a shop.
  • Donation buttons or solicitations: Any mechanism for accepting financial contributions, including links to PayPal or Patreon, classifies a site as commercial.
  • Advertisements: This includes manually placed ad banners or ad network code, even if the revenue is minimal or for a non-profit cause.

3. Request a Manual Review

If you are certain your site is non-commercial but the automated process fails, you can request a manual review. To do this effectively:

  1. Clearly state your site's URL and purpose (e.g., "personal hobby blog," "community education project").
  2. Explain that you have already attempted the self-service reverification process without success.
  3. Politely ask for a team member to check your site's classification manually. Evidence from the provided threads shows this is a common and often successful path to resolution.

When a Paid Plan Is Required

It's important to know that some sites will not qualify for a free plan. According to the publicly available guidelines, you will need a commercial Jetpack Stats plan if your site:

  • Is run by a registered charity, non-profit, or educational organization that solicits donations.
  • Uses any form of advertising or affiliate linking to generate revenue.
  • Sells products, services, or memberships.
  • Promotes a for-profit business or professional service.

Summary

Losing access to Jetpack Stats can be disruptive. The most effective solution is to first use the self-service tool to reverify your status. If that fails, conduct a thorough audit of your site for any commercial elements and then seek a manual review. Understanding the specific criteria used for classification is key to either successfully arguing for a free plan or knowing when an upgrade is necessary.

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