As I mentioned previously, this rule is not new. It was implemented a few years ago and then brought back.

But can you in short please explain, why you don't roll back the rule? Its obvious for anyone on the forum, that this have had consequences. Make a fresh beginning roll back the rule and reconsider whether this is actual worth keeping. As you say it have already been ignored for a few years so why not ignore it a bit longer? :) At least that way you might have a chance of bringing back a few freebie creators, remove the confusion with what links are allowed etc. And show the community that you actually listen when they make a complain or urge you to do something that they do not feel improves the community.You have the chance and are the only one who can make the first step here. So please consider whether its not a much better approach to take this rule up again at your weekly meeting and have a discussion about it while taking the arguments put forward by the community into consideration, and if you still reach the same conclusion as you did a few years ago then keep the rule otherwise scrap it.