@wils said in Seeding rate dropping drastically:

I can't help but notice what a tricky system this is. But whatever keeps the lights on, or in this case, the site running...

So I think y'all are making invalid assumptions... specifically, you appear to be under the completely false assumption that you're downloading "content" directly, or even indirectly, from the site!

When you download a torrent file from the site, you download a "description" of the files that make up the torrent's content:

file name(s) checksums for each block (blocks can be of varying sizes) address(es) of the trackers

The final item there - the address(es) of the trackers tells your torrent client program where to go to find sources for the torrent's contents... the "tracker"...

The tracker acts as an "introducer" between the parties:

The tracker keeps lists of "seeders" - not just usernames, but IP addresses and ports - who have the contents of the torrent The tracker provides this information to "leechers" upon request (assuming your ratios and other account settings are good!)

After that, it's all up to the seeder and leecher... ALL of their communications (which means every BYTE of the contents of the torrent) are made by direct connections between the seeder(s) and leecher(s)...

Again: the site - including the tracker - has no torrent contents! Only the .torrent files themselves, that provide a "guide" on where to find the contents! After that, you have to contact each seeder individually and request the parts of the file(s) that you need!