Not to be confused with the Community Market
The Steam Store, also known as the Steam Storefront, is a digital storefront utilized by Steam to distribute software and content to Steam users. Software purchases are tied to the user through a software license via the user's Steam account, allowing unlimited downloads of the purchased software on any compatible device. The store accepts payment in multiple currencies, which is dependent on the user's location set by the storefront. Since 2010, the store is multilingual as a result of the Steam Translation Server project, totaling twenty-seven languages in all.
Purchasing software[]
Users may purchase content from the store by adding the desired content to their cart. Multiple items may be added and bought at one time. Once finished, the user may select either "Purchase for myself" or "Purchase as gift". When either button is clicked, the user will be prompted to pay with one of the supported credit cards, PayPal or funds from the user's Steam Wallet. Depending on the type of credit card the user is using, they must selected the specific type from the dropdown menu. If the user does not have enough funds in their Steam Wallet to purchase an item, they may split the amount between a credit card. Users could also use steam gift cards from stores like target or walgreens to get steam money to purchase games. Once information is entered, the user will be prompted one more time to confirm the purchase, in which they will be emailed a digital receipt and automatically begin download of the game.
Gifting software[]
Additionally, users may purchase games as gifts for other users on their friend list, by selecting "Purchase as gift" during checkout. Users will be prompted to select a friend immediately, and will be provided with the option to schedule the time in which the user receives the gift. The friend receiving the gift will also receive an email notifying them of the gift.
Once a friend is selected, the user may enter the friend's first name, a customized message, a sentiment and the user's signature, although this is not necessary. Afterwards, the user will be prompted to insert billing details, and the gift will be sent either immediately or at the scheduled delivery time.
Software keys[]
Users may also redeem product keys that will be added to the user's Steam Library on activation. Keys can be sold by third-party sellers, provided as a means to redeem the game upon purchase of a physical copy or given out as a part of promotions. Software publishers are able to invalidate product keys, causing the software to be removed from the user's library upon invalidation.
User review[]
As of 2013, users are able to review owned software on the software's related storefront page. Users are then able to rate the review as helpful, "funny", or unhelpful, which is then put into an algorithm and used to determine the most credible and helpful reviews to put on the top of the review tabber.
In May of 2016, Valve began cracking down on unrelated reviews, and started providing filters which users may use to sort through positive and negative reviews, reviews made by users with a specific software use time, the date the review was published and other features. By default, the reviews that are placed on the topmost section of the tabber are rotated out every month, to prevent reviews from becoming unrelated to the current release of the software and to prevent sparking disinterest.