opinion

Going it Alone

In my previous blog, I discussed the importance of trust in the adult food chain, as well as some of the new, potential threats to that trust; and the importance of ensuring that consumers can enjoy a well-deserved trust of the adult sites they visit.

But what else can an operator do to avoid problems when "trust" breaks down?

The basic problem is a sometimes unnecessary reliance upon others.

For example, a paysite owner may rely upon affiliates as a primary traffic source, trusting them to feed his site with the visitors it so desperately needs. Affiliates in turn trust the paysite owner to pay the agreed upon payment in exchange for those visitors.

But some affiliates will spam while some sponsors will shave — with the result that neither trusts the other — leading to the situation we have today, where some site owners are dropping their sponsor programs, relying on in-house or purchased traffic sources and cutting affiliates out of the loop. Likewise, many affiliates have found that they can take greater control of their future by building their own destinations for the traffic they have.

Content producers that are not being paid by brokers or other licensees may also find that building their own destination sites make sense, while sites that depend on third party content, feeds or services may find that shooting their own exclusive content is sensible.

This walling off of individual ecosystems is taking place among the upper echelons of adult website networks, where content, billing, presentation, traffic generation and more, is internalized as much as possible. Business models are always evolving, but it is clear that professional adult website operators are seeking to maximize control over operations, rather than relying as heavily on outsourcing or "the bro factor" as they may in the past.

While not necessarily a bad thing, this process is much easier for the larger operators that have the resources to develop this infrastructure in-house, than it is for the lone wolf — which in itself changes the nature of adult's opportunities today.

The Clash of the Titans takes place in this arena, where individual fiefdoms embrace direct competition with the same zeal as they once embraced "co-opetition;" where savvy solo sites endure; and the middle ground is the most sorely contested — and vulnerable to change as an increasing number of operators choose to go it alone.

Copyright © 2025 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

profile

Wisconsin Tiff on Viral Fame and Embracing the Underdog Spirit

Wisconsin Tiff looks like the beautiful mom next door — the one whose natural glow turns heads in the school drop-off line without even trying. She’s not flashy. She’s not loud. She’s not angling for attention. She’s just herself.

Jackie Backman ·
trends

A Deep Dive Into Key Trends Shaping Pleasure Products

In 2025, the pleasure industry is evolving in intentional ways. Rather than racing toward newness for novelty’s sake, brands are reassessing everything from shape and function to what price intended shoppers can afford.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
opinion

Creator Tips for Dealing With Freebie Culture

There’s something magical about building a vibrant online community. Whether you’re live on cam, uploading spicy clips or vibing with fans in the comments, those spaces are your domain. But as your following grows, so do the “Hey babe, can I get a free sample?” messages — and let’s be real, people who act entitled to your time or attention can wear you down.

Megan Stokes ·
profile

WIA Profile: Jia Jeng

Modern branding is all about storytelling — and Jia Jeng certainly knows how to tell an authentic, perspective-shifting tale. As brand manager for ID Lubricants, Jeng applies her creative talent to shaping the long-established company’s public image in a way that aligns with her own vision for an ethical future.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Alternative Creator Tools for Reaching and Retaining Fans

Becoming an online creator really means becoming a digital entrepreneur. This is true even if you’re just doing it part-time. Unfortunately, many new creators make the mistake of not taking the “business” aspect of the work seriously. This can sabotage your growth and lead to frustration.

WildTequilla ·
profile

Streaming Siren: Isabelle Goncalves on Turning Up the Heat and Rising to the Top

Before the whirlwind of XBIZ Miami and the bright lights of the XMA Creator Awards stage, there was a young woman from Colombia with a spark and an idea. After she appeared on a Colombian reality show called ‘The Switch,’ a close friend suggested that her charisma and attitude would make her a natural at camming.

Jackie Backman ·
profile

Spicerack Market Offers Indie Brands a Launching Pad

Spicerack Market is an ecommerce platform with the heart of an artisan crafter and the soul of a kinkster. On the website, independent sex toy makers, lingerie seamstresses and kink gear craftspeople can set up a personalized shop to sell their handmade wares, unhindered by censorship or bans on adult products.

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

Strategies to Bring Pleasure Brands into the Spotlight

Every brand dreams about landing a feature in The New York Times or Men’s Health — and pleasure brands are no exception. After all, mainstream media coverage isn’t just a vanity milestone. It builds trust, attracts new audiences and opens doors to connecting with retailers, partnerships, and investors.

Hail Groo ·
profile

WIA Profile: Salima

When Salima first entered the adult space in her mid-20s, becoming a power player wasn’t even on her radar. She was simply looking to learn. Over the years, however, her instinct for strategy, trust in her teams and commitment to creator-first innovation led her from the trade show floor to the executive suite.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

How the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act Could Impact Adult Businesses

Congress is considering a bill that would change the well-settled definition of obscenity and create extensive new risks for the adult industry. The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, makes a mockery of the First Amendment and should be roundly rejected.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
Show More