educational

It's All About Trust

For many operators of adult e-commerce websites, "porn" is the name of the game. These operators couldn't be more mistaken, however. The reality is that if you expect today's scam-weary consumer to whip out a credit card, then "trust" needs to be the name of the game. But how can this consumer trust be earned?

One way in which your adult website can be seen as "trustworthy" is by looking out for your site's visitors – educating them to the perils they face at less trustworthy websites.

For example, a recent FTC Consumer Alert was issued, warning that the "Cost of 'Free' Adult Content Adds Up." While savvy consumers may have already seen this bulletin or were exposed elsewhere to the basic information contained within it, creative marketers can take a warning such as this and incorporate it into their arsenal of sales tools.

This alert focused on the problems associated with "dialer" technology and while dialers are no longer a common tool within the industry, highlighting their abuse can help ease consumers into making a purchase via a different (more trustworthy) billing mechanism.

Here's the basic message of the alert, which is also valuable as a source of information about the types of "warning" messages that our customers are receiving:

You're surfing the web and come across an adult entertainment site that claims to offer content for "free" and doesn't require a credit card number for access. All you have to do is download a "viewer" or "dialer" program. What to do? Since you're at the site to view content, downloading a "viewer" program might make sense. A "dialer" program? What's that? And who cares? You're getting free content.

But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that there's a catch: Once the program is downloaded on to your computer, it disconnects the Internet connection you had and reconnects to an international long-distance phone number, at rates between $2 and $7 a minute. You could end up with a phone bill for hundreds of dollars for calls to places like Vanuatu in the Southwest Pacific, Chad, Guyana or Madagascar.

FTC officials say that because these scams are so lucrative for the operators, it may be only a matter of time before they appear on sites that feature games, psychics, gambling and other services.

Here's how you can minimize your chances of downloading a "viewer" or "dialer" program that could turn "free" content into an expensive mistake:

Be skeptical when you see opportunities to view "free" content on the web. Free doesn't always mean free.

Clicking "OK" isn't always okay. Don't click OK unless you know exactly what you're agreeing to. Read online disclosures carefully. They may be buried several clicks away in pages of small print. In addition, read the language in the gray boxes on your screen.

Beware of any program that enables your modem to re-dial to the Internet. If you see a dialog box on your computer indicating that it's dialing when you didn't direct it to, cancel the connection and hang up. Check the number you're dialing and continue only if it's a local call.

If the content you want to view leads to a "viewer" or "dialer" program or you find unauthorized charges on your phone bill, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission...

A Working Strategy
With this type of information out there (as well as the negative experiences of surfers already "burned" by dialers) causing fear among consumers, why not play off of it, providing your site's visitors with this information on how to protect themselves from fraudulent billing practices?

Instead of them having to pay for unwanted content via unwanted means, you could show them how they can easily pay for just the content they want, whether it's a single image or video – or more – all through (for example) the mechanism of the PayAsYouClick billing system.

Do you see where I'm going with this? Relaying the message that customers can get exactly what they want, whether it's a little or a lot of content, right now and for a known price, and providing this message in an upfront and truthful manner, will help instill trust in your offer – and "trust" is the name of the game!

By educating your customers you and your site will be seen in a better light and should notice an increase in conversions. While there are many operators who feel that lies and abuse are the way to get money from surfers, taking a more honest approach pays. Try it out and see for yourself.

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

opinion

Breaking Down HB 805 and How it Affects the Adult Industry

North Carolina House Bill 805 was enacted July 29, after the state legislature overrode Governor Josh Stein’s veto. The provisions that relate to the adult industry, imposing requirements for age verification, consent and content removal, are scheduled to become effective Dec. 1. Platforms have until then to update their policies and systems to comply with the new regulations.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Staying Compliant With Payment Standards Across Europe and Australia

So, you’ve got your eye on international growth. Smart move. No matter where adult-industry merchants operate, however, one requirement remains consistent: regulatory compliance. This isn’t just a legal checkbox — it’s a critical component of keeping payments flowing and business operations intact.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

How to Avoid Copyright Pitfalls When Using Music in Adult Content

When creating an adult video, bringing your vision to life often means assembling just the right ingredients — including the right music. However, adding music to adult content can raise complex legal and ethical issues.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

New Visa Rules Adult Merchants Need to Know

In December 2024, I shared an update on the upcoming rollout of Visa’s Acquirer Monitoring Program, also known as VAMP. The final version went into effect in June, and enforcement will begin in October. With just a month to go, now is the time to review what’s changing and how to stay compliant.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

WIA Profile: Lainie Speiser

With her fiery red hair and a laugh that practically hugs you, Lainie Speiser is impossible to miss. Having repped some of adult’s biggest stars during her 30-plus years in the business, the veteran publicist is also a treasure trove of tales dating back to the days when print was king and social media not even a glimmer in the industry’s eye.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Fighting Back Against AI-Fueled Fake Takedown Notices

The digital landscape is increasingly being shaped by artificial intelligence, and while AI offers immense potential, it’s also being weaponized. One disturbing trend that directly impacts adult businesses is AI-powered “DMCA takedown services” generating a flood of fraudulent Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notices.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Building Seamless Checkout Flows for High-Risk Merchants

For high-risk merchants such as adult businesses, crypto payments are no longer just a backup plan — they’re fast becoming a first choice. More and more businesses are embracing Bitcoin and other digital currencies for consumer transactions.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

What the New SCOTUS Ruling Means for AV Laws and Free Speech

On June 27, 2025, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, upholding Texas’ age verification law in the face of a constitutional challenge and setting a new precedent that bolsters similar laws around the country.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

What You Need to Know Before Relocating Your Adult Business Abroad

Over the last several months, a noticeable trend has emerged: several of our U.S.-based merchants have decided to “pick up shop” and relocate to European countries. On the surface, this sounds idyllic. I imagine some of my favorite clients sipping coffee or wine at sidewalk cafés, embracing a slower pace of life.

Cathy Beardsley ·
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 ·
Show More