Adult Content Platforms: Validation of Alternative Value Proposition Focused on Security and Discovery

Calebe do Rosario Moreira; Natan de Souza Marques

DOI: 10.22167/2675-6528-202602754

Article derived from a Final Course Work (TCC), with content based on the student’s original work and adapted to the editorial format of the E&S Magazine with the support of the ResumeAI tool, an artificial intelligence solution developed by Instituto Pecege for textual synthesis and organization.

Abstract

The adult content niche in the creator economy faces challenges of security, piracy, and dependence on external algorithms for user discovery. The value proposition of an alternative platform, named Closr, which focuses on native search and data protection mechanisms, was validated. The methodology employed was mixed, combining a quantitative survey with 80 users and in-depth interviews with three content creators in the Brazilian market. The main results indicated that payment in foreign currency (Average: 3.26/5) and fear of data exposure (Average: 3.08/5) represent the biggest difficulties for users, with 54.2% of the sample admitting to consuming pirated content. Qualitative validation confirmed that internal organic discovery is the most attractive differentiator for creators, mitigating the risk of losing accounts on external social networks. However, the cost of switching and the need for a network effect were identified as the main barriers for established creators to migrate. It was concluded that Closr’s value proposition is viable, as it aligns security by design with operational efficiency and simplified monetization, demonstrating high potential for adoption in the mid-sized creator segment.

Keywords: Adult content; Digital Business; Creator economy; Digital platforms; Digital security.

1. Introduction

The creator economy has been consolidating as a global phenomenon of great impact. In 2023, this sector generated approximately 200 billion dollars worldwide, driven by the intrinsic dependence on social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X. Despite its economic and social relevance, the creator economy and its implications are still little studied, as pointed out by Bleier et al. (2024).

This market is composed of a complex ecosystem involving creators, who produce and monetize content, users, who consume publications, and advertisers, who utilize digital platforms. Monetization models are varied, encompassing advertising, sponsorships, views, and increasingly, direct transactions between users and creators, such as subscriptions and one-off content sales (Bleier et al., 2024).

The social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the demand for digital erotic content, favoring the growth of subscription platforms such as OnlyFans and Privacy. Although these platforms have validated the existence of a robust market, they expose creators to critical vulnerabilities. Among these, the dependence on external networks for discovering new users and the significant risks related to data security and privacy stand out (Alves and Santos, 2023).

The structural dependence on external platforms is a central problem. Platforms like OnlyFans and Privacy function more as private content repositories than as autonomous social networks, since the content published may violate the policies of “traditional” networks (van der Nagel, 2021). The internal content discovery mechanisms on these platforms are limited, which forces creators to rely on other social networks to build their audience and drive traffic to their monetization pages.

In parallel, creators face substantial security and privacy risks. Adult content is legally classified as “sensitive personal data,” and its improper handling can expose the data subject to high risks of discrimination and moral damages (Antonelo and Webber, 2025). The case of the Ashley Madison platform, which resulted in the exposure of user emails and mass reputational and personal damages, illustrates the severity of a data breach.

The unauthorized leakage of creators’ photos and videos not only violates their privacy and intellectual property rights (Antonelo and Webber, 2025), but also reveals weak control over content security by platforms (Silva and Borges, 2023). This vulnerability entails severe psychosocial impacts, including stigmatization, anxiety, and social isolation (Alves and Santos, 2023). Furthermore, creators frequently suffer penalties such as “strikes” and “shadowbans” on external social networks, resulting in audience and financial losses.

The current scenario demonstrates that the predominant business model requires creators to accept a high risk of sensitive data breaches and a continuous dependence on external promotion, which generates additional costs for monetization. Faced with this market gap, an opportunity arises for a platform that actively mitigates these risks, integrating social discovery tools and an optimized interface to reduce dependence on external networks. Thus, the objective of this study is to validate the value proposition of an alternative platform, named Closr, focused on native search and data protection mechanisms.

2. Material and Methods

The present study adopted a mixed methodological approach, combining qualitative and quantitative elements to deepen the understanding of the investigated phenomenon. Regarding its nature, the research was classified as hybrid, with exploratory and descriptive characteristics. The general research design was configured as a field survey, allowing the collection of data directly from the participants involved in the adult content creator economy ecosystem.

The choice for mixed research was justified by the need for statistical validation of the hypotheses raised, complemented by an in-depth understanding of the perceptions and experiences of users and creators. According to Creswell and Creswell (2021), this methodological integration enables a more comprehensive understanding of the object of study, mitigating the limitations inherent in each method individually and enhancing their combined strengths.

The qualitative stage, of an exploratory nature, consisted of conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews. Three content creators active in the Brazilian market participated in this phase, selected through a non-probabilistic sample, using the ‘Snowball Sampling’ technique. This recruitment method aimed to ensure a safe and trusting environment for data collection from a sensitive audience. The interviews were conducted between January 27 and February 11, 2026.

During the qualitative interviews, a high-fidelity prototype of the Closr platform was used as a stimulus. This prototype was developed to simulate the interface and functionalities of the proposed solution, allowing content creators to interact with the native search mechanisms, tag-based discovery, and the adaptive recommendation algorithm. Additionally, the prototype featured security functionalities, such as screen capture and recording blocking, inclusion of a watermark of the viewer’s profile, and the restricted profile mode, which were presented for validation of the value propositions and user experience.

The quantitative phase, of a descriptive nature, employed a structured online questionnaire as a data collection instrument. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of eighty respondents, composed of adult content creators and users. To measure variables related to specific objectives, such as the importance of security and preference for monetization models, Likert-type scales were used. Data collection occurred between January 13 and 20, 2026, with the questionnaire distributed organically in digital communities and social networks frequented by creators and users, maintaining ethical distance and avoiding invasive approaches.

The analysis of the collected data followed an integrated approach, according to the mixed methodology. For quantitative data, descriptive statistics were used, essential for organizing, summarizing, and objectively characterizing the dataset, as recommended by Malhotra (2019). Qualitative data, from the interviews, were subjected to content analysis, a technique that, according to Gil (2017), allows for the interpretation of meanings and subjectivities present in the participants’ statements, identifying patterns of behavior and perceptions that would not be captured by numerical data alone.

In compliance with ethical research standards, all participants, from both the qualitative and quantitative stages, received and signed the Free and Informed Consent Form (FICF). The preservation of participants’ identity was guaranteed, as they were anonymized in the final work, and absolute confidentiality of the collected information was ensured, with the results being analyzed in an aggregated and statistical manner to protect individual privacy.

3. Results and Discussion

The analysis of the collected data, through a quantitative survey with eighty participants and in-depth interviews with three content creators (E1, E2, and E3), revealed a detailed panorama of the difficulties faced by users and creators in the adult content niche, while simultaneously validating the value proposition of the Closr platform. The respondents of the quantitative survey were predominantly male, representing 68.8% of the sample, with 30.0% female. The majority age group was between 25 and 34 years old (50.0%) and 35 to 44 years old (32.5%), indicating a mature and economically active audience. A significant representation of homosexuals (46.2%) and bisexuals (11.2%) was also noted, suggesting a relevant consumption profile for the proposed solution.

The categorization of user “pains”, according to the model by Osterwalder et al. (2014), highlighted financial and security issues as the most pressing. Payment in foreign currency presented an average of 3.26 on a scale of 5, indicating a high level of discomfort, while the limitation of payment methods obtained an average of 2.95. Interviewee 3 (E3) corroborated this perception, mentioning that the demand for a platform that operated in local currency was a decisive factor in creating his account on a competing platform, reinforcing the viability of Closr’s proposal to prioritize native settlement in local currency to reduce financial friction.

Regarding security, the fear of unauthorized exposure of sensitive data was a significant concern, with an average of 3.08 out of 5. This apprehension extends to the possibility of having financial information and consumption history exposed on leak sites. Quantitative research revealed an alarming fact: 54.2% of users admitted to having consumed pirated content, which underscores the fragility of existing platforms in protecting creators’ material. This vulnerability is not limited to users but directly affects creators, who frequently see their content distributed illegally.

The interviewed creators, E1, E2, and E3, confirmed concerns about security and dependence on external social networks. They reported direct audience losses due to “strikes” and “shadowbans” on platforms like Instagram and X/Twitter. E3, for example, had their account temporarily suspended on X/Twitter, even when using strategies like “close friends” on Instagram to mitigate risks, which demonstrates the instability of these disclosure channels for adult content. Dependence on third-party algorithms for lead generation generates constant anxiety, as expressed by E1: “I’m afraid of falling. Just like when Twitter went down, I was monetizing when Twitter went down and it was one of the things that demotivated me and eventually I stopped.”

The rigidity of content policies on foreign platforms, such as OnlyFans, which impose restrictions on bodily fluids, brands, and public places, was also a point of dissatisfaction for creators. E1 described the situation as “very annoying,” exemplifying the difficulty of approving content that does not meet strict criteria. This lack of transparency in publication approval encourages migration to more flexible tools, often domestic, but technically less robust. The fragility of current platforms in protecting creators’ intellectual property was highlighted by the reports of E2 and E3, who had their content improperly disclosed and/or monetized by third parties, reinforcing the need for solutions with security and privacy as pillars.

Beyond security and dependency issues, creators expressed dissatisfaction with operational aspects of monetization platforms. E3 reported significant technical difficulties in the video upload process, describing it as “work” that consumed hours for a single video. This functional friction directly impacts the creator’s routine and points to an opportunity for Closr to offer optimized batch upload and storage tools, focusing on high resolution, as a strategic differential for operational efficiency. The lack of transparency in exchange rate conversion fees, mentioned by E3, also exposed a vulnerability in creators’ financial management, who are often unaware of the real costs of foreign currency transactions.

The validation of Closr’s value proposition, based on the pillars of organic search/discovery and additional layers of security and privacy, demonstrated high acceptance. In the quantitative survey, 37.5% of users indicated that they “would certainly use” or “would probably use” a new social platform that included profile, feed, user search, and topics of interest, allowing the publication and consumption of adult content, both free and paid. This result suggests a latent demand for an integrated and social solution that adapts to user preferences, offering a safer and more intuitive environment for interaction and content monetization.

In the qualitative stage, the “Discovery” features, internal tag search, and adaptive recommendation algorithm were validated as decisive differentiators. E1 highlighted the functionality of being found within Closr itself, without relying on external links, as “the best point of all”, because “it really grabs attention since everything is already there”. E3 complemented that the internal search functionalities correct the inefficiency of current platforms, which only favor higher revenue profiles, making the discovery of new creators more natural. E2, in turn, showed great interest in Closr’s Insights tool, which offers data management and sales funnel traceability, solving a Digital Business bottleneck by allowing analysis of engagement, leads, and subscriber origin.

The screen capture and recording blocking functionalities, the inclusion of the viewer’s profile watermark over the content, and the restricted profile mode (subscription and single purchase upon creator approval) were unanimously validated by the interviewees as essential for ensuring security and privacy. E1 stated: “I thought it was really cool! I thought it gives more control over what’s being published”, and considered the watermark “an interesting idea”, because “they [the user] will be afraid to expose themselves”. E3 agreed, seeing the feature as a “denunciation” that “serves as a closed door to prevent content from spreading”, highlighting the consensus that the overlay of viewer data on the media discourages screen capture and recording attempts by malicious users.

Compared to the main adult content platforms operating in Brazil, Closr stands out by offering payment in local currency (Real BRL), various payment methods (credit card, Pix, boleto, and wallet balance), and native organic discovery with a feed, discovery, and internal search. While other platforms rely 100% on external social networks for discovery, Closr proposes a native boosting model with “Closr Ads” and affiliates. In terms of privacy, Closr implements print and screen recording blocking, viewer watermarking, and restricted profiles, surpassing existing solutions that offer only geoblocking or do not inform about such features. The platform also provides advanced data analytics with funnel traceability and AI insights, and offers a two-month fee exemption, with 20% thereafter, plus a referral bonus.

Despite the high acceptance of the value proposition, the research identified “switching cost” as the main barrier to creator migration. E2 observed that, although Closr has high potential for beginner small and medium-sized creators, established creators already operating on multiple platforms would hardly migrate due to the effort required to set up a new profile, replicate the content catalog, and promote new links. E1 reinforced this perception, stating that although they wanted to create a profile on Closr, they would be “a little apprehensive about having to start all over from scratch.”

Another significant barrier is the need for network effect, as pointed out by E3, who questioned the viability of the tool without “mass adoption”. According to Parker, Van Alstyne, and Choudary (2016), the value of a platform depends directly on the number of users on the network, creating an “egg and chicken” paradox. Without an initial critical mass of users, the switching cost becomes unjustifiable for established creators, and functionalities like feed and discovery, which depend on a high volume of interactions, would not operate fully. To mitigate this risk, data suggest go-to-market strategies focused on Growth and guerrilla marketing, aiming for high virality and large-scale user acquisition.

E2 suggested incentive models to accelerate adoption, such as temporary fee exemption (0% for the first two months, with subsequent scaling), referral bonuses, and affiliate programs with native payment. These financial incentives, combined with the guarantee of greater privacy, could lead 28.7% of users to consider becoming creators, provided security is guaranteed. This indicates that Closr can not only capture market share from competitors but also expand the total market, attracting new creator profiles who are currently fearful of data exposure risks. Closr’s value proposition, therefore, aligns security by design with operational efficiency and simplified monetization, demonstrating high adoption potential in the mid-sized creator segment, while also offering a safer and more transparent environment for the creator economy.

4. Conclusion

The present study sought to validate the value proposition of an alternative platform, named Closr, focused on native search and data protection mechanisms in the adult content niche. It was found that payment in foreign currency and the fear of sensitive data exposure represent the biggest difficulties for users, with a significant portion admitting to consuming pirated content. It was identified that creators face dependence on external social networks for audience discovery, suffering from penalties such as “strikes” and “shadowbans”, in addition to rigid content policies and operational frictions, such as video uploading and lack of exchange rate transparency. Closr’s value proposition, with its native organic search mechanisms, screenshot blocking, viewer watermark, and restricted profile, demonstrated high acceptance, being perceived as a competitive advantage. This platform positions itself as a viable solution by aligning security by design with operational efficiency and simplified monetization, with the potential to attract medium-sized creators and expand the market by mitigating data exposure risks.

However, it was observed that the cost of switching and the need for network effects constitute the main barriers for the migration of already consolidated creators. The convenience sample, predominantly male and LGBTQIA+, may limit the generalization of the results. For future studies, it is suggested to analyze the feasibility of technological costs for large-scale media protection and to investigate national tax models for content intermediation platforms. Ultimately, Closr offers an ecosystem of security and economic independence, reducing dependence on external algorithms and promoting a more transparent environment for the creator economy.

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Article originating from the Final Course Work of Specialization in Digital Business from the MBA USP/Esalq

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