Google Tightens the Screws on Porn Content – Conveniently Forgets it is full of Porn

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Google images is one of the largest hosts of adult images on the entire internet. We don’t know if there are accurate figures, but it is clear that Google hosts a massive cache of porn.

Google just updated its SafeSearch and explicit content documentation. Translation: If your site shows skin, you’re on notice – again. But now, at least, there’s a longer paper trail explaining how you’re being judged.

 

I can’t tell you what porn is, but I know it when I see it – anon

 

This isn’t just a spring cleaning of some old policy pages. It’s a not-so-gentle reminder that if you’re in the adult or NSFW content game, you either play by Google’s rules or you vanish from search fast.

What Did They Change?

According to Google, these updates are meant to “help site owners reach their target audience“.  That is Google-speak for: “Stop hosting shady content or we’ll bury your rankings.”

Here’s the gist:

• More specific moderation rules: If you’re not actively scrubbing your site for CSAM or non-consensual content, you’re already behind. This is table stakes now. Whatever that is.
• Video bytes get their own section: If you clip it, crop it,  or loop it – Google wants to know how you serve it. Eesh.
• Mislabeling help: If your grandma’s knitting blog gets flagged as porn, there’s now a checklist for that. Ouch Grandma – we love you!
• New ranking algorithm behavior: If you’re hosting explicit videos but blocking Googlebot from actually seeing them (because ummm reasons), prepare for your site to tank – especially in Video results. Yeowzer.

Why You Should Care:

Google’s tightening control over adult content – not with the ban hammer, but with a lovely algo penalty and just enough documentation to make you think it’s your fault. In others – Google is screwing you without saying they are screwing you. This way, they can ban Texas hosted porn sites, without banning Texas sites and they get to keep Hot Wheels in Austin happy and push sites in line with the new porn laws.

Will Texas Ban Google?

As you know, Google is host to a massive amount of Porn and adult content. One simple image search on Google for the keyword “porn” then clicking safe search off and presto, there is Google full of millions of pornographic images.

So it begs the question, will Texas ban Google for hosting unverified content available to minors? They wont give parents filters for YouTube shorts (which is imho worse than pornography) – so there is no reason to think Google will get porn images and videos of it’s own site.

What You Should Actually Do

If your site features adult content, risqué videos, or anything that might make a Google PR rep sweat, here’s a checklist:

1. Audit your content: Google’s tolerance for “gray area” content is shrinking. If it’s not above board, clean it up. (watch the pricks ban this page  for the links and images on this page – ya, they are that petty)
2. Unblock your videos: If you’re hosting clips but blocking bots, you’re basically asking to be punished. Hmmm – not so sure on this one, but Google really hates cloaking in the porn works.
3. Use structured data: Especially VideoObject, and don’t forget SafeSearch schema. meh – whatever – quit expecting webmasters to do all your jobs Google.
4. Read the new docs: Yes, even the troubleshooting section. They actually put a little more effort into it this time.
5. Act quickly if flagged: If you’re wrongly labeled explicit, don’t just whine about it – follow Google’s unflagging instructions. They’re maybe clearer now? Slightly. We are not feeling lucky.

Final Thought

Google’s not banning porn – but they are squeezing the algorithm tighter. If you’re not giving them what they want (visibility, structure, bot access), they’ll pretend you don’t exist. And if you’re caught with problematic content, you’ll drop off the SERPs like a rock.