You may be experiencing creative exploitation if you’re consistently underpaid or asked to work for “exposure” while others profit from your ideas. If your contributions are dismissed, taken without credit, or excessively controlled without your input, it’s a red flag. Unfair contracts, unrealistic demands, and a lack of transparency about how your work is used can also indicate exploitation. Additionally, if your passion is being manipulated—making you feel guilty for expecting fair compensation or pressured to overwork—it’s a sign that your creativity is being taken advantage of rather than valued.