opinion

A Chilling Effect

With all of the talk about ‘2257 inspections and worries over whether or not their sites are compliant, it’s no surprise that many adult webmasters and affiliates – whom are now legally classified as “secondary producers” – are pulling the plugs on their operations; either in full, or partially, as they sanitize their servers from undocumented content.

The chilling effect that the handful of inspections held to date has had is profound, and doubtlessly welcome by the enemies of adult entertainment. While no real “problems” have publicly arisen from these inspections, the fear of them, especially on the part of at-home operators, is difficult to overstate in some quarters. Still, the sky isn’t falling, and those with legal, documented content are striving to fill the increasing void left by industry departees.

As for “better late than never” advice, JD Obenberger said it best, “Don’t purchase or post content that you don’t have the required ‘2257 documents for, including sponsor-provided content as well as banners and other ads depicting covered content.”

As for me, I’m off to pack my bags. I have a late-night “red eye” flight to Florida tonight, heading to the Internext Expo, where I expect the hot topic of conversation to be inspections and the impact on affiliates. Stop and say “Howdy!” if you see me there!

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

How to Pivot Platforms Without Disrupting Your Income

As a creator, you must inevitably navigate the constantly changing terms of service, regulations and financial systems of various platforms. Those platforms host your content at their own discretion, so deplatforming is always a possibility.

Sara Star ·
profile

Julie Stewart on Leading Sportsheets While Honoring Its Family Roots

When Sportsheets founder Tom Stewart retired at the start of 2020, he left the company in the capable hands of his sister, Julie Stewart. Since taking over as CEO, she has guided Sportsheets through an era of transformation, resilience and renewed purpose.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
opinion

Creator Tips for Making the Most of Adult Industry Expos

Showing up to industry expos is one of the smartest moves a creator can make. If it’s your first time going and the idea makes your stomach flip a little, don’t worry. Preshow jitters are perfectly normal. But if you’re serious about building real momentum, throw those doubts and worries out the window and pack your bags.

FrenchAva ·
profile

Tracy Eagle Soars as Co-Boss of Betty's Toy Box

They say sisterhood is powerful. For proof, you need look no further than Tracy and Carolyn Eagle, two sisters who have built not just one but three online retail brands together.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

How to Draw in and Retain High-Spending Fans

One of the biggest misconceptions in the creator economy is that follower count determines revenue. Many creators assume the path to higher earnings is simply more traffic, subscribers and views. In reality, it’s common to see a tiny fraction of fans responsible for the majority of spending.

Alex Lirette ·
profile

Essence Protection Brings Specialized Coverage to Adult Retail

For adult businesses, swimming against the mainstream current makes it hard to find an insurance company that can keep up. One company is aiming to change that.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

Balancing Growth and Audience Loyalty as a Creator

When creators who have been around a while feel the pull to explore something new, a quiet fear often creeps in: What if growth and evolution end up costing me the audience I worked so hard to build?

Megan Stokes ·
opinion

How Retailers Can Get the Most Out of Trade Shows

Trade shows offer something that catalogs and online browsing can’t match. Seeing, touching and discussing products in person gives you a better sense of how they might perform in your store.

Rin Musick ·
profile

NakedBakers on Stirring Up Flavor, Fantasy, and a Winning Moment

When NakedBakers heard her name announced as Female Streamer of the Year at the 2026 XMAs, she froze for an instant, caught between disbelief and pure joy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

How Promoting Wellness Fuels Retail Growth in Uncertain Times

My PR and marketing work helping adult brands, performers and platforms reach audiences has made one thing very clear. The brands most likely to succeed in the current economic, political and social climate are the ones marketing more than just sex.

Hail Groo ·
Show More