Might X be seeking to monetize grownup content material in future, as one other potential income path for the app?

Immediately, the platform previously referred to as Twitter has up to date its coverage on grownup content material, which signifies that “consensually produced and distributed grownup nudity or sexual conduct” is now formally allowed within the app.

I imply, it goes with the title, I suppose.

As per X:

“We imagine that customers ought to be capable to create, distribute, and eat materials associated to sexual themes so long as it’s consensually produced and distributed. Sexual expression, whether or not visible or written, could be a official type of creative expression. We imagine within the autonomy of adults to interact with and create content material that displays their very own beliefs, needs, and experiences, together with these associated to sexuality.”

In different phrases, X is now okay with porn. Which it’s unofficially been okay with since endlessly, however it’s now making its strategy extra express on this respect.

X says that it nonetheless has sturdy guidelines in opposition to “content material selling exploitation, nonconsent, objectification, sexualization or hurt to minors, and obscene behaviors”, whereas it additionally received’t permit grownup content material to be proven in profile photographs or profile banners. So total, its restrictions haven’t modified, however it’s going to now be extra open to grownup materials.

So why the replace?

As famous, X has lengthy allowed porn not directly, by merely not implementing it, and letting customers publish what they like within the app. That’s led to numerous challenges in enforcement and publicity (in addition to advert placement, a key observe given its newer struggles on this entrance), although on the identical time, it’s additionally supplied a stable driver of visitors and engagement for the app.

A lot so, the truth is, that again in 2022, then Twitter administration truly explored the opportunity of enabling grownup content material creators to promote subscriptions within the app, as a part of a possible push to faucet into OnlyFans’ $2.5b self-made content material market.

On condition that a lot of this content material is already so current within the app, it appears, doubtlessly, like a logical step to make more cash for the platform, by leaning into this aspect, reasonably than simply turning a blind eye to it.

Besides, Twitter’s group 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 staff to type what it referred to as a “Pink Staff.” The purpose was “to pressure-test the choice to permit grownup creators to monetize on the platform, by particularly specializing in what it could appear to be for Twitter to do that safely and responsibly”. What the Pink Staff found derailed the challenge: Twitter couldn’t safely permit grownup creators to promote subscriptions as a result of the corporate was not – and nonetheless will not be – successfully policing dangerous sexual content material on the platform.”

Primarily, Twitter’s group wasn’t in a position to present any assurance that they might be capable to cease such a exploitation within the app, as a result of its detection measures weren’t sufficient.

However have they doubtlessly improved beneath Elon Musk?

Musk has made a whole lot of noise about addressing little one exploitation content material within the app, calling it his high precedence early on in his tenure as Twitter proprietor. But, since then, Musk has additionally culled 80% of the platform’s employees, together with many from its moderation and security groups, so it appears unlikely that he’s truly been in a position to enhance this, at a a lot decrease headcount.

However that will even be altering.

Again in January, X introduced a plan to construct a brand new “Belief and Security middle of excellence” in Texas, as a way to enhance its responsiveness in addressing little one exploitation particularly. 

Possibly, with that in place, X could possibly be in a greater place to deal with such, and that would, at the least in idea, allow it to re-examine its grownup content material monetization plan as soon as once more.

And positively, X wants the cash proper now, provided that its advert income stays down by an estimated 50% on pre-Elon ranges, whereas X Premium take-up is nowhere near selecting up the slack.

Add to this the truth that grownup content material has reportedly elevated considerably within the app since Musk’s employees cuts, and there are fairly a number of indicators that this could possibly be the place X is heading.

X additionally added an “Grownup Content material” filter for Communities again in March.

Once more, X by title…

At this stage, nevertheless, X does nonetheless have definitive guidelines in place that limit grownup content material monetization, with a observe in its Advert Coverage stating that:

“X prohibits the promotion of grownup sexual content material globally.”

However that, technically, solely applies to adverts for such, not creators earning money from subscriptions.

And possibly, that too might quickly change.