X Confirms Plans for NSFW Communities Amidst Platform Changes
After researchers revealed plans to test NSFW adult communities on the newly rebranded platform formerly known as Twitter, tech giant X has officially confirmed that Community admins can now set an “Adult Content” label within their settings to prevent their communities’ content from being auto-filtered. All NSFW content will soon be filtered across X’s Communities by default.
Background: NSFW content plays a significant role on X, serving as a primary advertising venue for sex workers and hosting a substantial amount of adult content-focused bots and spam. Internal documents obtained by Reuters in 2022 showed that approximately 13% of all Twitter posts contained NSFW material, such as nude and explicit images and videos.
Adult Content Label: With the introduction of the “Adult Content” label, Community admins can opt-out of having their content auto-filtered, ensuring that their communities remain unaffected by this feature. Conversely, all NSFW content will be filtered across X’s Communities by default if no action is taken by administrators.
Purpose of Filters: The implementation of these filters aims to create a safer environment for users while still accommodating those who wish to engage with adult content. By separating NSFW content into designated spaces, X hopes to address concerns surrounding the presence of such content on its platform.
Growth of NSFW Content: According to internal documents, adult content was identified as one of the fastest-growing genres on the platform, despite decreases in news and sports content. This highlights the significance of addressing the issue of NSFW content on X.
Future Developments: In addition to the NSFW content update, X has announced several other enhancements to its Communities feature. These include the ability for admins to add topics to their Communities, temporary and permanent bans for spammers, and improved tools for sorting posts and exploring top communities and posts by topic.
Conclusion: As X continues to develop and refine its Communities feature, it remains committed to providing a diverse and engaging experience for its users. With the introduction of the NSFW content label and additional features aimed at improving the overall user experience, X demonstrates its dedication to adapting and evolving in response to user needs and preferences.