subtly sexual: the art of navigating social media with adult content.
When I started my OnlyFans, I thought, This could totally be a podcast. I mean, think about it—promoting your OnlyFans is like running an ad campaign for a brand that every platform secretly hates. It’s not just challenging; it’s an absurd scavenger hunt where the prize is avoiding a ban. And let’s be real, not many platforms are throwing open the gates for adult content. Twitter barely tolerates us, and every other site is clutching their algorithmic pearls like I’m trying to sneak in contraband at a church picnic.
Here’s the thing: selling stuff is selling stuff. Whether it’s candles, T-shirts, or, in my case, my junk, it’s still a business. Sure, my “product” is a little more… personal than most, but why should that matter? A business is a business, right? But try convincing Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok of that. They treat adult content creators like we’re a glitch in the matrix. Meanwhile, Karen over there is selling her essential oils and “healing crystals” with no problem.
And I get it, I really do. Nobody wants to be scrolling through videos of meerkats only to be ambushed by a camel toe cameo or some dude shaking his goods like it’s an audition for Magic Mike 3.5: The Algorithm Strikes Back. But come on, there’s got to be a better way to handle this than throwing the ban hammer at anyone who steps slightly out of line.
Let’s talk about my own content for a second. It’s not even that wild. I’m not out here posting a live anatomy class. In fact, most of the time, I’m just goofing off. But apparently, Instagram thinks a harmless joke or an accidental thirst trap is the equivalent of skywriting, “CLICK HERE FOR PORN.” My account has been hit with four strikes this year, and one of those was literally a joke I made to my students. How does that even get flagged? I can’t go live anymore, which honestly, is fine—I wasn’t going live that often anyway. But it’s the principle.
And let’s not forget the double standards. Celebs and mega influencers can post risqué photos and get showered with likes and shares. But if I so much as sneeze suggestively, the algorithm locks me in shadowban jail. What’s up with that?
I’m not saying Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook should suddenly allow full nudity—God knows nobody’s ready for that algorithmic chaos. But could we at least have a setting for 18+ content? Like, let me mark my account as adults-only so the algorithm doesn’t think I’m corrupting middle schoolers with my mildly spicy selfies. Or is that too logical?
Look, I know people are gonna find adult content if they want to. They’ll search for it, pay for it, and enjoy it, all without Instagram’s help. But the hoops we have to jump through just to promote our work are ridiculous. Imagine trying to run a coffee shop but every street in town bans coffee ads. It’s exhausting, and frankly, a little absurd.
And it’s not just me—micro-influencers deal with this too. Meanwhile, the big names can post whatever they want, whenever they want, and the algorithm practically rolls out a red carpet. It’s enough to make anyone want to throw their phone into the nearest body of water.
Honestly, I don’t even fully identify as an adult content creator. I’m just someone being stupid online, and somehow, people pay attention. But the shadowbans, the strikes, and the constant tiptoeing around arbitrary rules? It’s enough to make anyone question their career choices.
At the end of the day, I’m glad I didn’t put all my eggs in the adult content basket. Social media might not love me, but at least I’m free to be myself, even if the algorithm wishes I’d stop trying.
And hey, if this whole OnlyFans thing doesn’t work out, maybe I will turn it into a podcast. At least podcasts don’t have an algorithm judging your every move. Yet.
