X-odus: What to Know Before Jumping Ship to Bluesky

Adult content creators are constantly looking for new platforms to connect with audiences, share content, and generate revenue. With the rebranding of Twitter to X under Elon Musk’s leadership, as well as the rise of the decentralized platform Bluesky, adult content providers now have alternative spaces to explore. While your decision to leave X may be based on the politics of the situation, it’s still a good idea to know exactly who you’re getting in bed with on either side.

1. Platform Policies and Content Moderation

X, which evolved from Twitter, has a complex relationship with adult content. Initially, Twitter had relatively relaxed rules around adult content, especially compared to other platforms. However, Musk’s changes to X’s moderation policies have sparked significant controversy. Under Musk’s leadership, there has been a shift towards looser content restrictions, with an emphasis on free speech.

• Pros: Adult content creators have found that X, particularly after its policy shifts, allows for a broader range of adult content than many other platforms. Content that was previously flagged or removed on Twitter may remain accessible on X, provided it doesn’t violate other specific community guidelines.
• Cons: While adult content is allowed, X’s content moderation can be unpredictable. Content flagged by the algorithm or reported by users can still face removal, even if it doesn’t violate guidelines. Additionally, the paid X Premium service (previously Twitter Blue) offers increased visibility, but adult content may not always receive the same level of exposure due to algorithmic biases that prioritize engagement over content type.

Bluesky operates on a decentralized model, meaning each “instance” (or server) has its own moderation rules. This opens up a more flexible approach for adult content creators, depending on which instance they choose to join.

• Pros: Due to the decentralized nature of Bluesky, adult content creators have the freedom to join or create instances with less restrictive policies regarding adult material. Since Bluesky doesn’t have a central corporate entity controlling all content, creators can find spaces that allow for more niche or explicit content.
• Cons: The decentralization of Bluesky can also lead to fragmentation. Content moderation is entirely dependent on the rules set by the administrators of each instance. While some may embrace adult content, others might prohibit it. Creators could risk their content being removed or facing less exposure if they are on an instance with strict content rules.

2. Monetization Opportunities

X, under its current model, offers adult content creators multiple monetization pathways, including:

• Ads: X continues to rely heavily on ad revenue, but adult content creators may face challenges in ad approval. With X’s recent changes, ad policies may become more relaxed, but adult content creators still face difficulties in getting ads placed on explicit material.
• X Premium: Creators can monetize their profiles by offering exclusive content through the X Premium subscription, which gives followers extra benefits such as longer videos, custom content, and more engagement. However, adult content creators may face challenges in keeping their content visible, as the platform’s algorithm prioritizes mainstream content over more niche material.
• Tips and Donations: X allows creators to accept direct tips through the Tips feature, which is integrated into the platform. Adult content creators may benefit from this model, as they can receive direct financial support from their followers without having to rely on advertising.

Bluesky, being a decentralized platform, does not yet have a robust built-in monetization system. However, it offers flexibility that could benefit adult content providers in the future:

• Instance-Based Monetization: Since Bluesky is decentralized, some instances may integrate third-party services or allow creators to set up their own monetization models. For instance, a creator could direct users to external platforms like Patreon or OnlyFans for premium content. This flexibility allows for creative monetization methods.
• Lack of Built-In Ad Revenue: As Bluesky is still in its early stages, it does not offer native ad revenue sharing or direct monetization like X. Adult content creators looking for an immediate, built-in monetization model may find this limiting.

3. User Engagement and Reach

X is known for its large, diverse user base and viral content capabilities. Adult content creators on X benefit from the platform’s vast reach and the potential to go viral with engaging tweets or posts. X’s use of hashtags, trending topics, and “For You” feeds allows content to be discovered by a large audience.

• Pros: With millions of active users worldwide, X provides adult content creators with the opportunity to reach a broad and varied audience. The platform’s algorithms help content to be discovered through trends and engagement.
• Cons: Due to the unpredictable nature of content moderation and the platform’s shifting policies, adult content creators may find that their content is shadow-banned, flagged, or hidden from the algorithm. The X Premium subscription can help overcome some visibility issues, but this could limit accessibility for users who are not paying subscribers.

Bluesky has a more niche user base. While it doesn’t have the large user numbers that X does, it offers a more focused experience, especially for those in search of more decentralized, less corporate-controlled interactions.

• Pros: Bluesky’s decentralized structure means that content is less likely to be suppressed by centralized corporate interests. Creators can potentially engage with users in a more open environment, where organic conversations can flourish.
• Cons: Bluesky’s smaller user base means that adult content creators may face challenges in building a substantial following compared to platforms with a broader reach like X. The lack of a clear viral discovery mechanism also makes it harder for adult content to spread widely unless creators have an established following.

4. Data Privacy and Control

X, as a centralized platform, controls user data and has faced significant criticism for its privacy practices. Musk’s changes to the platform have raised concerns over how user data is handled and whether X is prioritizing user privacy or profitability.

• Pros: For adult content creators, X offers some degree of anonymity, but creators should be aware that data on the platform is subject to the company’s terms of service, which could change.
• Cons: X collects vast amounts of user data, including location and browsing history, which may be a concern for adult content creators seeking greater privacy and control over their data.

Bluesky’s decentralized nature is designed to offer better data privacy for users and creators. Since the platform is not owned by a single company, creators have greater control over their data, and the transparency of the AT Protocol allows for more insight into how personal information is handled.

• Pros: Bluesky offers more control over data for creators. Since users are on different instances, data privacy can be more robust, and content creators have more transparency regarding their content and interactions.
• Cons: The decentralized nature of Bluesky means that it can be more complicated for adult content creators to navigate data privacy settings, as each instance may have different rules and protections in place.

When it comes to choosing between X and Bluesky, adult content providers need to weigh factors like content moderation, monetization options, reach, and privacy. X offers a larger audience and more immediate monetization opportunities through ads and tips, but it comes with the risks of unpredictable moderation and corporate oversight. Bluesky offers a decentralized environment with greater control over data and moderation but lacks the scale and built-in monetization options of X.

For adult content creators, the decision will depend on your priorities: whether you seek greater control and privacy, or a wider reach with potential for immediate revenue generation. Both platforms provide unique advantages and challenges, and creators may find success on one or the other—or both, depending on your needs.

Photo by kevin turcios on Unsplash