X is currently in the process of developing NSFW Communities, which are specifically designed to accommodate adult content.
This strategic move indicates X's recognition of the need to create designated spaces for mature content while restricting access to appropriate audiences.
TOPSHOT - The new Twitter logo rebranded as X, is pictured in Paris on July 24, 2023, on the account of it's owner Elon Musk, after he changed his profile picture late on July 23, 2023, to the company's new logo, which he described as "minimalist art deco," and updated his Twitter bio to "X.com," which now redirects to twitter.com. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Administrators of Communities within the platform now have the option to designate their communities as "Adult Content" through their settings, thereby preventing the automatic filtration of their community's content.
However, any NSFW content will soon be filtered across all of X's Communities by default. These Communities, characterized by their smaller groups with individual feeds separate from the main timeline, serve as a focal point for more niche discussions and interests.
This development solidifies the earlier indications of NSFW community tests observed by various researchers and reverse engineers. It signals a strategic shift for the social network towards a more explicit acceptance of adult content, which has long existed on the platform albeit in a less structured manner.
Among the array of updates introduced to X's Communities, a notable addition includes the provision for NSFW-centric communities to self-designate, thereby preventing automatic content filtration similar to other Communities.
The alterations garnered attention after being reshared by Musk, who expressed enthusiasm. Communities have been emphasized as pivotal to X's growth strategy by owner Elon Musk and CEO Linda Yaccarino, as highlighted during an all-hands meeting last fall.
Musk outlined the rapid growth of the Communities product, acknowledging that significant work remains to enhance its appeal.
He highlighted the substantial uptick in the percentage of Communities' growth and mentioned the integration of new features, such as the capability to incorporate any X account's feed into the Community feed.
Musk offered an example where a community centered around video games might opt to include feeds from prominent video game reviewers or commentators.
Navigating NSFW Content on X
Adult-oriented content, often labeled as NSFW (not safe for work), occupies significant space on X, serving as a prominent platform for sex workers and hosting a plethora of bots and spam focused on adult material.
Internal documents unearthed by Reuters in 2022 revealed that approximately 13% of all Twitter posts featured NSFW content, including nude images, explicit videos, and pornography.
Moreover, these documents indicated a notable surge in adult content consumption on the platform, contrasting with declining engagement in news and sports-related content.
In a recent exposé by New York Intelligencer, the proliferation of spam bots on X was highlighted, showcasing their role in promoting NSFW content through profile links and bios.
These bots frequently inundate posts with messages such as "nudes in bio" and "pics in bio," among other explicit terms, underscoring the challenges associated with managing adult-themed content on the platform.
