As a lot as this may occasionally sound like a controversial shift in direction of less-than-savory grownup content material on X (previously Twitter), it appears that evidently the story is much less salacious than it might have initially appeared.

Earlier as we speak, Bloomberg reported that X is rolling out a brand new characteristic that may allow customers to create communities round grownup content material, by including an “Grownup Content material” qualifier to their teams.

As per Bloomberg:

“Customers who create a group throughout the app can specify within the settings that their group “incorporates adult-sensitive content material”. The X teams will then characteristic an “grownup content material” label. Customers who fail to label their group might see among the content material being filtered out or eliminated, in line with the screenshots of the foundations.”

That sparked hypothesis that X might truly be seeking to lean into grownup content material on the app, within the hopes of facilitating new income streams, doubtlessly through partnerships grownup content material creators who’re already extremely energetic on the platform both means.

However X has since clarified that this isn’t a brand new shift on this path, as such.

As per X:

“To be clear, this setting is about making Communities safer for everybody by routinely filtering out NSFW content material. Solely customers who’ve specified their age will be capable to search Communities with NSFW content material.”

So it’s a protecting measure, not a method of opening the gates to make grownup content material extra seen, and acceptable within the app. That may very well be a side-effect both means, however it appears that evidently X isn’t making an even bigger leap to enchantment to grownup creators simply but.

Although it nonetheless would possibly.

Again in 2022, Twitter explored the potential of enabling grownup content material creators to promote subscriptions within the app, in an effort to faucet into OnlyFans’ $2.5b self-made content material market.

Grownup content material, as famous, is already very current on X, and readily accessible. As such, a logical step to earn more money for the platform can be to monetize this, by leaning into this component, fairly than simply turning a blind eye to it.

Besides, Twitter administration finally determined that it couldn’t do it.

Why?

As reported by The Verge:

“Earlier than the ultimate go-ahead to launch, Twitter convened 84 workers to kind what it known as a “Pink Staff.” The aim was “to pressure-test the choice to permit grownup creators to monetize on the platform, by particularly specializing in what it might appear like for Twitter to do that safely and responsibly”. What the Pink Staff found derailed the undertaking: Twitter couldn’t safely enable grownup creators to promote subscriptions as a result of the corporate was not – and nonetheless just isn’t – successfully policing dangerous sexual content material on the platform.”

Essentially the most regarding components raised because of this exploration had been little one sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity, and because the platform couldn’t adequately police such, enabling the monetization of porn was a significant danger.

However X might nonetheless look on this path if it actually wants extra income streams.

Again in January, X introduced a plan to construct a brand new “Belief and Security middle of excellence” in Texas, so as to enhance its responsiveness in addressing these particular components. Possibly, with that in place, X may very well be in a greater place to really enact such a plan, although we’ve heard little extra about this “middle of excellence”, nor has a lot progress seemingly been made.

But.

I do assume that settings like this may very well be a step in direction of facilitating a separate, adults-only model of the app, which might additionally facilitate extra grownup content material, and doubtlessly offers with grownup performers, that would carry more cash to the app.

The opposite danger, in fact, is that advertisers would flee the app because of this. However actually, X doesn’t truly need extra advertisers, as they will then impose restrictions on its moderation selections. Ideally, X would like to earn more money from customers and creators as a substitute.

So whereas this particular story isn’t essentially an indicator of such intentions, it may very well be one other step on this path. If X wants it.

And with X’s advert income nonetheless down 50%, it might nicely want it, very quickly.