Yesterday Tumbler enacted a permanent ban on adult content. This is just the latest in a series of announcements that have gradually downgraded content on their platform that is intended for adults only.
Banned content includes photos, videos, and GIFs of human genitalia, female-presenting nipples, and any media involving sex acts, including illustrations.
Tumblr is not alone in the war against adult content creators and sex workers. Just last week Facebook announced that you could not make posts that “facilitate, encourage or coordinate sexual encounters between adults.”
Tumblr was particularly harmful to the adult content crowd because when it was founded they were one of the few social media platforms that fully allowed adult content. Like many other apps and services, they allowed adult content to grow their base and then abandoned them, later on, to chase after general audience advertisers.
Every time a major app or site shuts down it creates a vacuum.
Many smaller or new platforms have been suggested by mainstream media. The articles I’ve read so far on the subject were exceptionally poor and obviously written by people who do not have to deal with the onerous restrictions you encounter when posting adult content.
Some of those platforms are not fully ready to take on the influx of millions of people that have been denied a place to post. Other platforms are not as full-featured or contain the social media element that Tumblr offered.
As a fetish photographer, erotic artist and writer, and consultant for Sexy Networking, I’m scrambling to find new platforms to share my work, without censorship or the hassle of fighting bans.
In reaction to that, and hopefully, to help others who are dealing with the same issue, I’m going to create a list of social media sites that promise to fulfill some, or all, of the features that Tumblr offered and also will allow adult content.
None of the sites below are perfect and they purposefully post amorphous terms of service so they can ban your content at their discretion. Be careful on any platform.
The sites that follow are more relaxed in allowing you to post adult content, that’s all. That certainly does not mean that they don’t have rules you must follow. Follow the rules and watch for any developments.
If you’re a sex worker, then realize that almost no social media platform will openly allow you to solicit services (maybe Switter, perhaps the two social media sites based on cryptocurrency… maybe not). SESTA/FOSTA has made a big mess that restricts what you can say and how you can say it (which is a violation of your civil rights and will be struck down). You’ll have to be doubly careful, even on the sites listed below. Use these sites to build your brand, to post adult content, and to lead them to your own website or somewhere else you can do business.
I’ll also make the point that you should never have your entire presence in one place. Diversify. Be everywhere. Then if you lose one account, you just pick up elsewhere like normal. You should also have your own website because it’s the only place you can truly control what content is offered and how it is presented, and it’s the only place you ensure will always be available to your fans.
All of the website headings below are all clickable links to the platform.
Broad Social Media Sites
Unfortunately, there are only two large social media sites that allow adult content now.
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and all the rest, have terms of service that are excessively restrictive and purposely vague, which allow them to boot you off their site at will.
There is little to no chance that any of these sites are going to relax their rules. It’s much more likely that they will get even more restrictive.
This is not the article to discuss why we don’t have more social media sites that are exclusively for adults, but I plan on discussing that soon.
I know many people have problems with Twitter but this is still one of the few and final large social media sites that allows adult content.
That doesn’t mean that Twitter doesn’t have rules, it certainly does. It also doesn’t mean that they won’t discriminate against people who are adult content creators or sex workers, because they do.
But right now if you’re looking to reach the widest possible audience in one place Twitter is your horse.
I’d also like to point out that Twitter is seeking big general audience advertising as well, so don’t put all of your eggs in this basket. They could change their terms of service at any time.
Reddit
Reddit is still the Wild West of the Internet. That’s both good and bad.
As a social media site it is bare-bones and grossly unsexy. But, one thing it does have going for it is a strong libertarian take on content.
They pretty much let you post whatever you want.
Just like Twitter, Reddit is starting to implement content rules. But, for now, it’s an option.
New and Promising Broad Sites and Apps
What follows is a list of sites that are for a broad number of interests, but may allow some adult content. Some of these sites are brand-new or in beta phase. There are only a couple that I can speak about with any certainty.
These sites do not have the heavy number of users that Twitter and Reddit have, so you’re going to have to fight harder to be seen.
I’m going to present these here and tell you what I know right now. I have reached out to several of these platforms to get more information.
If you have suggestions on apps to add, or you think one of these should be removed, then please contact me at [email protected].
Steemit
I’ve been on Steemit for a while. I’ve shared plenty of adult content on there with no problems. Steemit is an unusual platform because it is based around their own cryptocurrency system.
You can actually be paid for content that you post on that site. If your content is popular it can bring you real money.
Also, you’re welcome to post adult photos, videos, text, or anything else you want. There is no centralized authority that polices content on Steemit. It is completely decentralized.
As a social media platform, it’s pretty weak, but it does have some of those elements. What it mostly offers is real freedom, and that’s awesome.
Minds
When I asked my Twitter network about places to share adult content Minds was mentioned several times. I literally just signed up for an account (@DirkHooper) so I’d don’t know much about the site at this time.
However, it looks similar to Steemit, since it’s based around cryptocurrency. It also lists their site as being completely decentralized, which means you do not have some overarching authority policing your posts. Plus, it promises that you can make money.
I’ll be getting involved in the site soon and have more to report.
MojoFire
Mojofire is a microblogging platform that has been designed to be broad in scope but also allows sex workers another content creators to share their work and promotion.
Since one of the developers is a sex worker I am hopeful that this site will live up to expectations.
I’m in contact with one of the developers right now and hope to run an article on this site soon.
Meanwhile, you can sign up on their homepage to be alerted when they launch.
Pillowfort
Pillowfort is in a beta phase right now but promises that it will allow adult content when they get fully running. Just like with all other social networks that remains to be seen. But if you want to get it on the ground floor now is the time to get on their waiting list.
This is a site that was mentioned in several articles as a direct alternative to Tumblr for adult content creators, but I have not been able to verify that. I tried to contact Pillowfort through their Twitter account to get a statement from the developers, but they have not responded to me at this time.
Genre Specific Sites
I’m a firm believer in reaching out to as wide of an audience as possible. The reason why I like Twitter so much is because I’m not just preaching to the converted. Broad platforms allow me to reach an audience that might not automatically be interested in hard-core fetish, BDSM, or kink.
It upsets me to be relegated to a relatively small corner of the Internet. But maybe that’s not a problem for you, or you’d rather speak only to a very specific crowd, which is fine.
These are sites that have been set up that speak to a smaller but more passionate niche crowd.
Switter
After the SESTA/FOSTA debacle, Switter was launched earlier this year. It is a subset of the Mastodon app.
Switter has “sex worker – SW” in the title so you know that content is free and clear. And the server for Switter is in a location that protects free speech.
Switter functions much like Twitter but asks that you label your adult posts as sensitive content.
Because there are not many people on this platform engagement is fairly low, but you do know that you are speaking directly to an audience that wants to hear from sex workers and adult content creators. I hope you’ll join me there.
Fetlife
Most people reading this article will be familiar with Fetlife. This is a social media platform designed specifically for the kinky set. Therefore, you’re not going to have a problem posting kinky stuff and the platform is broad enough where you can post photos, videos, articles, stories, and create groups.
Engagement here is sparse, although groups are very active. Some people love Fetlife. Maybe you’ll be one of them.
These following genre-specific sites are new or in beta. I will be joining each of these and check them out. I’ll report back here when I know more.
The addresses are listed below, in case you want to check them out on your own.
BDSMlr
FetBox
Lewdr
Art and Photography Sites
DeviantArt
I’ve been a member of DeviantART for over a decade. They do allow adult content with some restrictions.
They allow photos, writing, and traditional art. The user interface for the site is a little clunky and dated, although, they are promising a major update soon.
As long as you don’t show erect penises, intercourse, or anything else too crazy you can get away with a lot here.
There is a broad active community of artists and admirers on deviantART. If you’re sharing great content your work can really take off here.
Newgrounds
Newgrounds has stepped up as an alternative for artists who are fleeing Tumblr.
Newgrounds seems to be heavily weighted towards anime style cartoonish artwork (I could be wrong, but that’s what I’m seeing so far). They have a network that is essentially walled off until you get enough interest on your initial downloads.
They do not allow photography here.
It remains to be seen if Newgrounds is even as good as DeviantArt. But it is another option and they do allow adult artwork.
Ello
Ello is another site that was mentioned several times in reply to my Twitter query, so there may be something to this site. I just signed up and so far I enjoy the vibe and the user interface.
It remains to be seen what kind of engagement is possible on the site and how relaxed they are regarding adult content.
Again, I will update as soon as I knew more.
Porn Photo and Video Sharing
If you’re interested in sharing porn photos and videos specifically here are a few sites that I have found or has been suggested, but I have very or no experience with.
These communities are specifically designed to allow you to share adult content. These are not true replacements for Tumblr, but may provide an outlet for your content, and in many cases you can also make money here. There may be many more out there. I encourage everyone to contact me directly to add to this list at [email protected].
I’d like to invite everyone to tell me what their experiences are on these platforms so I can share them and give you a more comprehensive outlook.
I will be checking these out as well, but until then here are the links to these sites so you can make your own decision.
DTube
Sharesome
XVideos
ManyVids
Pornhub
ExtraLunchMoney
From their website,
“ExtraLunchMoney.com (ELM) is a digital marketplace for buyers to directly interact with adult content creators. Although the focus of the site is amateur porn, custom fetish clips, and amateur adult content, we welcome a wide range of adult content including audio and written work from amateurs and professionals alike. What makes ELM different from other “adult” sites is we only allow people who create and star in the content to sell that content.”
KinkBomb
From their website,
“Whether you are a writer, a photographer, a cinematographer, an artist, or just an exhibitionist you can earn cold hard cash for your creativity. Kinkbomb.com welcomes a market where you can find others interested in the content that adults may have to offer.”
IWantClips
WeCamGirls
Please Help!
This list of social media sites was gathered over a week through surveys that I posted on various platforms. It is by no means comprehensive or complete.
I will continue to add sites and information to this page and keep it up-to-date as possible. I want to help as many people as I can. I know this is frustrating.
The only way I this page will be as accurate as possible is with your help.
Do you have information go to bad about some of the sites that I have listed? Have I missed some apps? (And I know, that I have missed plenty.)
Have some platforms terms of serviced changed? Please contact me and tell me so that I can keep this list up to date.
You can reach me directly at [email protected] with your information.
We’re all in this together and information is our most powerful defense.
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