The War on Porn Regular Updates about the Assault on The Adult Industry
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LOS ANGELES — Kickstarter has rolled out new “Mature Content” policies that prohibit projects involving adult entertainment and a wide range of sextech products, marking a notable shift for a platform that once helped launch several high-profile sexual wellness brands.
Under the updated rules, Kickstarter states that it “is not a venue for adult-only or sexually explicit content and such content is prohibited.”
The policy specifically bars “any project specifically stating it or the rewards being offered are being created for sexual pleasure,” along with “any project that distributes or enables distribution of pornographic content.” The restrictions also apply to sexual wellness devices that are “explicitly designed for sexual stimulation through insertion or penetration, or are intended to have body parts inserted into them.”
The new guidelines further prohibit sexual wellness products that are “marketed or presented primarily for sexual gratification in a manner that creates heightened safety or moderation concerns,” though the company has not publicly explained what standards it will use to determine those concerns.
Kickstarter’s revised policy still leaves room for some intimate products. Items that are not intended for insertion or penetration may remain eligible, provided they are “not marketed primarily for sexual gratification.” The company lists products such as “lubricants, nipple jewelry, and other intimate items such as bras and underwear” as examples that could still qualify.
A Change in Direction
The updated rules stand in contrast to Kickstarter’s earlier approach, which allowed a number of adult-oriented and sexual wellness campaigns to gain visibility — and significant funding — through the platform.
In the company’s earlier years, pleasure brand Dame launched a crowdfunding campaign for Fin, a finger-worn vibrator. The campaign faced initial resistance before eventually being approved, later reaching full funding within two days.
Spanish sexual wellness company MyHixel also found success on Kickstarter, using the platform for campaigns tied to its ejaculation-control strokers in 2018, 2022 and 2024.
Last year, Ohdoki introduced two new stroker sleeves through Kickstarter and ultimately secured more than $1.5 million in pledges.
In 2025, the insertable audio-enabled pleasure device Groove Thing raised $100,000 during the first 12 hours of its campaign before eventually surpassing half a million dollars in total backing.
The change is especially striking given Kickstarter’s own recent efforts to spotlight adult-adjacent creators. Last year, the company launched “Kickstarter After Dark,” a newsletter promoting projects tied to “adult lifestyle products and innovations,” along with “personal wellness technology” and “mature-oriented design projects.”
The newsletter carried the slogan, “Because NSFW deserves a home on Kickstarter.”
“Adult creators deserve the same spotlight and promotion as any other project on Kickstarter,” the company said at the time.
