Google Reverses Ban on Sexually Explicit Material on Blogger

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Blogger users who share sexually explicit content have been given a reprieve — Google has made U-turn decision over a policy that was set to go in effect March 23 banning the material from its blogging network.

Today, in an update by Google official Jessica Pelegio, the company said that in light of feedback relating to the new policy, Google has reversed its decision to ban explicit content entirely from the network.

Google, however, still wants bloggers to mark any sexually explicit material as “adult” so that people who don’t want to see such content can avoid it.

“This week, we announced a change to Blogger’s porn policy,” the Google official said. “We’ve had a ton of feedback, in particular about the introduction of a retroactive change (some people have had accounts for 10-plus years), but also about the negative impact on individuals who post sexually explicit content to express their identities. So rather than implement this change, we’ve decided to step up enforcement around our existing policy prohibiting commercial porn.  

“Blog owners should continue to mark any blogs containing sexually explicit content as ‘adult’ so that they can be placed behind an ‘adult content’ warning page.

“Bloggers whose content is consistent with this and other policies do not need to make any changes to their blogs.”

Colin Rowntree, operator of adult search engine BoodiGo.com, told XBIZ that Google's U-turn on its Blooger policy for sexually explicit content was a surprise for him.

"The motivation appears to be an outcry from long term Blogger users from the LGBT community," Rowntree told XBIZ.

"But, who knows what the future brings at Google in general," he said. "This has prompted us at BoodiGo.com to start building a free blog hosting platform to give adult bloggers a safe and sane place for hosting in a totally adult-friendly environment. 

"But, I always encourage people to get their own hosting, control their DNS and domain names, and avoid relying on mainstream tech corporations for much of anything these days."

While Google has reversed itself on the Blogger issue over sexually explicit content, it still has left intact its decision last year to ban adult entertainment-oriented advertising on its AdWords program.

Click here for Blogger's updated content policy.

Related:  

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 News

Missouri AG Announces Age Verification Rule to Take Effect Nov. 30

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state's recently approved age verification regulation for adult websites will go into effect on Nov. 30.

Aylo, Woodhull Freedom Foundation to Host 'Online Censorship' Event

Aylo and Woodhull Freedom Foundation will co-host a virtual panel addressing online censorship on Sept. 30.

Severe Sex Films Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Severe Sex Films has relaunched its official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Judge Awards Plaintiffs Over $400K in Attorneys Fees in Derek Hay Civil Case

California Superior Court Judge Gail Killefer has awarded former clients of LA Direct Models over $400,000 in attorneys fees and court costs, to be paid by agency founder Derek Hay.

ChickPass Rebrands as 'ChickPass Cinematic Universe'

ChickPass has announced that it has rebranded its network of sites as ChickPass Cinematic Universe.

Brazilian Adult Industry Association ABIPEA Launches

Brazilian Association of the Adult Entertainment Industry and Professionals (ABIPEA) has officially launched its organization.

New Adult Social Media Platform 'Havven' Opens Beta Phase

Havven, a new adult social media platform, has opened its beta phase and will officially launch Oct. 5.

Former Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer Sentenced to 3 Years Probation, $40,000 Fine

Former Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer was sentenced in federal court today to three years' probation and a $40,000 restitution fine for a conspiracy conviction related to money laundering through the defunct website.

Pineapple Support to Launch 'Wellbeing by PS' Initiative

Pineapple Support has announced its Wellbeing by PS initiative, naming new team member Amber Madden to head the project.

Playboy Wins $81 Million Judgment in Chinese Licensing Arbitration

Playboy Inc. was awarded $81 million in damages on Monday by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, in a licensing dispute with former partner New Handong Investment (Guangdong) Co. Ltd.

Show More