59 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
59 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

7 Ways PORN SITES Pioneered Internet Marketing

by The Copy Nazi Banned
49 replies
Porn Sites have always been on the cutting edge of Internet Marketing technology. Think about this -

1. Online Payment Systems


You think the biggies like ebay or Amazon came up with online payments? Nope. The Porn Kings did - back in the mid-'90s. "Electronic Card Systems" made beaucoup commissions for processing sales on a range of sites...like ClubLove - promoters of the notorious Pamela Anderson-Tommy Lee sex tape.

2. Autoresponders

Yes the porn industry pioneered autoresponder campaigns. Except back in the Nineties it was more like unsolicited emails - spam. By 2003 it was out-of-control. One out of every spam email sent was for PORN sites.


3. Streaming Content

Before YouBoob took over the world of streaming online video, guess who did it first? Give the man a cigar. Yep - pornsites. They were the first to use streaming JPEG push video - video that ran in the browser and didn't require a plug-in.

4. Video Conferencing

Again - pioneered by porn sites. But it was called Live Chat or Video Live Chat. Think camgirls. "What are you wearing?" - except for the first time you could see what she was - or wasn't - wearing.



5. Pop-Ups, Pop-Unders, Mousetrapping - all that


All you get-rich-quick Clickbank marketers owe a debt of gratitude to the porn industry for these annoying numbers.

6. Broadband

Broad band - get it? But yeah...once again it was the adult industry that thought of this first. Specifically, Penthouse Magazine in the '90s when they gave away 2400-baud modems to access the magazine's XXX bulletin boards.


7. Traffic optimization


Smut, smut and more smut. Online Porn Sites were building massive site traffic by sharing links, customers, and revenues among themselves - long before blog networks, or sites like Digg, Reddit or even Adsense and facebook were around. The Porn dudes developed the concept of top sites linking to generate traffic and were among the first to develop an affiliate revenue-sharing model.



Know of any others? I'm sure there's more. Bring 'em on!
#internet #marketing #pioneered #sites #ways
  • Profile picture of the author Kelly Verge
    8. Viral Methods

    Of course, with theirs you'd need a shot.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876509].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
      12. Black Hat Methods


      .
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876558].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
        Banned
        Originally Posted by R Hagel View Post

        12. Black Hat Methods


        .
        Ah yes...but can you name them? Or rather - describe them.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876567].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
          Originally Posted by Metronicity View Post

          Ah yes...but can you name them? Or rather - describe them.
          For starters, good ol' spam. Who knows, the porn folks probably invented the email harvesting bots. And based on my email over the years, I'd say they've certainly pioneered the art of getting a spam mail through the filters.

          Secondly, they've pioneered dubious SEO tactics for years. I think (but am not sure) that they're the ones who developed things like keyword stuffing, showing one page to the search engines and another to the users, scraping content, etc. Lots of BH stuff just in this category.

          Third...

          Well, I'll let someone else continue on with this list, as I'm sure it's quite lengthy.

          Cheers,
          Becky
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876586].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author yourreviewer
    Video Spokesperson is another concept that I can think of that originated from the adult industry, except in this case the spokesperson is not dressed in business attires .
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876534].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
      Banned
      Originally Posted by yourreviewer View Post

      Video Spokesperson is another concept that I can think of that originated from the adult industry, except in this case the spokesperson is not dressed in business attires .
      Oh yeah. Forgot that one. Pity we can't link to it eh? But I just bet some clown does link out to dodgy sites and the thread gets closed down. Maybe I should start a book on how long that will take.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876547].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LMC
    9. Customer Service
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876540].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
      Banned
      Originally Posted by LMC View Post

      9. Customer Service
      care to elaborate Steve? LOL.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876552].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MikeHumphreys
    Hey Mal,

    Great points... the online porn industry has definitely been cutting edge (and cut-throat at times) with their marketing. Regardless of someone's personal opinion of their product, it's a good idea to study what they do on a professional level because they do A LOT of things extremely well.

    I can think of four more but in the interest of keeping the topic going, I'm going to share just two of them:

    10. Continuity programs.

    They weren't the first to use monthly programs (offline media like book of the month clubs and newspaper subscriptions probably were) but they were the first ones to do it online.

    11. Multiple payment options.

    Many of them accept multiple payment options... some even let their customers bill their membership to their phone bill(!). Some of those sites even let people pay by electronic check.

    In contrast, most IMers only use PayPal and turn part of their potential customers away.
    Signature
    Kickstart Your Copywriting Business: How To Get Loads of New Clients FAST!

    Kick-A$$ Eight-Figure Producing Copywriting Gun For Hire | Marketing & Copywriting Blog
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876542].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
      Banned
      Originally Posted by MikeHumphreys View Post

      Hey Mal,

      Great points... the online porn industry has definitely been cutting edge (and cut-throat at times) with their marketing. Regardless of someone's personal opinion of their product, it's a good idea to study what they do on a professional level because they do A LOT of things extremely well.

      I can think of four more but in the interest of keeping the topic going, I'm going to share just two of them:

      10. Continuity programs.

      They weren't the first to use monthly programs (offline media like book of the month clubs and newspaper subscriptions probably were) but they were the first ones to do it online.

      11. Multiple payment options.

      Many of them accept multiple payment options... some even let their customers bill their membership to their phone bill(!). Some of those sites even let people pay by electronic check.

      In contrast, most IMers only use PayPal and turn part of their potential customers.
      Of course! Now why didn't I think of that. Well I know why - the old "List of 7". ;-) What are the other two I wonder?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876563].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LMC
    haha, the pioneered instant satisfaction with their customers only improving customer service and satisfaction rates!
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876559].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
      Banned
      Originally Posted by LMC View Post

      haha, the pioneered instant satisfaction with their customers only improving customer service and satisfaction rates!
      With no moneyback guarantee though. :p
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876573].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
    Wow, I never knew the porn industry were so influential.

    Great points!

    -Shaun
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876571].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tbunch
    Having been on the adult side for 3 years I can tell you 1 other thing they have perfected.

    This is 1 thing that mainstream needs to avoid.

    The have perfected the art of giving away so much free content, in the name of getting traffic, that it is extremely hard for anyone new to make a decent $.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876619].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Gary King
      Originally Posted by tbunch View Post

      The have perfected the art of giving away so much free content, in the name of getting traffic, that it is extremely hard for anyone new to make a decent $.

      You beat me to it! I've read on the Internet (not from personal viewing experience) - they are masters at the drug-dealer "first one's free" delivery.
      Signature

      ===========================
      OFFLINERS! Warning: Unless You Know These Pricing Secrets, You are Leaving THOUSANDS on the Table. Get Your Free Report Now.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877169].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
    Banned
    BTW...


    Sex.com was sold in January 2006 for $14 million - cited as the highest priced domain sale.


    Last month the domain name was ordered to be sold at a foreclosure auction. Relates to this - from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex.com



    In 1994, entrepreneur Gary Kremen (then founder of Match.com, now the CEO of Grant Media, LLC) registered sex.com with Network Solutions. He did not develop a site. In October 1995, Network Solutions transferred the domain to Stephen M. Cohen, who had been trying to gain control of the domain for some time by misrepresentation, using phone calls, e-mails and forged letters. He eventually persuaded an employee of Network Solutions to change the ownership details by submitting a fake fax. After gaining control of the domain, Cohen produced an advertising-heavy site that received up to 25 million hits a day. From payments for click-throughs and other advertising, Cohen was reportedly making $50,000 to $500,000 per month. Kremen undertook steps to recover the domain, while Cohen claimed he obtained the domain legally from Online Classifieds (OCI). A five-year legal battle ensued, led by cyberlawyer Charles Carreon.
    Kremen was victorious in November 2000, when Network Solutions was ordered to return the domain to the plaintiff. According to the record of Kremen v. Cohen, Cohen was ordered to pay $25 million into court; in April 2001, the California District Court awarded Kremen an additional $40 million for lost earnings, for a total judgment of $65 million.
    Cohen appealed the judgment and refused to allow assessment of his business: He provided false information and declared most of his companies bankrupt while illegally moving assets out of US jurisdiction. When an arrest warrant was issued, Cohen fled to Mexico. Kremen offered a $50,000 reward for information, but Cohen remained at large while continuing to file appeals that were rejected. In October 2005, Cohen was arrested in Tijuana, Mexico for immigration violations, and was handed over to US authorities.
    Cohen was released from custody on December 5, 2006, when Judge Ware determined that "the Court is satisfied that Cohen has provided an accounting of assets to the extent that he is able from jail." Cohen currently is representing himself and provided the Court with an address in Mazatlan, Mexico.
    As of December 21, 2007, 1,350 documents have been filed in the case.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876670].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MisterMunch
    Do not know how to make large fonts but:

    13. Digital Products

    I think the porn industry was one of the first industries where you actually bough only access to more digital content.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876678].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
      Banned
      Originally Posted by MisterMunch View Post

      Do not know how to make large fonts but:

      13. Digital Products

      I think the porn industry was one of the first industries where you actually bough only access to more digital content.
      Click "Edit". "Go Advanced". Choose "fonts" - "Impact". Choose "sizes" - "6". To change it now just highlight it first.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876718].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author aaallday2010
    The porn industry was also a major reason why broadband became popular. In the late 90's and early 2000's most people getting broadband service were getting it specifically for porn.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876946].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
      Banned
      Originally Posted by aaallday2010 View Post

      The porn industry was also a major reason why broadband became popular. In the late 90's and early 2000's most people getting broadband service were getting it specifically for porn.
      See #6 on the original post.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877006].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    I really can't add anything. I'm not so familiar with that industry.

    -Ray Edwards
    Signature
    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1876987].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

      I really can't add anything. I'm not so familiar with that industry.

      -Ray Edwards
      So why even bother to post?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877008].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Raydal
        Originally Posted by Metronicity View Post

        So why even bother to post?
        That really bugs me too! Those people who post saying that they
        cannot help. If you have nothing to say then just don't say (write)
        anything.

        I'm with you on that one.

        -Ray Edwards
        Signature
        The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877028].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Gary King
          Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

          That really bugs me too! Those people who post saying that they
          cannot help. If you have nothing to say then just don't say (write)
          anything.

          I'm with you on that one.

          -Ray Edwards
          It was YOUR post he was referring to!
          Signature

          ===========================
          OFFLINERS! Warning: Unless You Know These Pricing Secrets, You are Leaving THOUSANDS on the Table. Get Your Free Report Now.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877163].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author aaallday2010
            Originally Posted by Gary King View Post

            It was YOUR post he was referring to!
            I'm pretty sure he knew that. Boy you sure don't know satire when you see it.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877888].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Gary King
              Originally Posted by aaallday2010 View Post

              I'm pretty sure he knew that. Boy you sure don't know satire when you see it.
              Only when it's noteworthy.
              Signature

              ===========================
              OFFLINERS! Warning: Unless You Know These Pricing Secrets, You are Leaving THOUSANDS on the Table. Get Your Free Report Now.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877945].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    Most people don't know that adult sites use "traffic trading"
    scripts... so the different sites link to each other via banners -
    they aren't all owned by the same people but they trade visitors
    on a ration basis.

    Thus if site A sent site B 1000 visitors, site B would send site
    A 1000 back (or whatever the agreed ration is) and the banner
    would shunt the traffic to site C when those 1000 had been
    delivered.

    It's a very cooperative way of looking at traffic.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877009].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jennypitts
    SAD that such practice can actually be the pioneer in so many things, not just internet, let us not forget the creation of VHS and small video rental stores, pornography was their primary motivation. I remember when I was in college we had to do an in depth analysis of how porn and cults had crossed many barriers and were taking over the internet with an array of advancements still not implemented by many big companies. When chain stores were still in the process of creating successful online transactions porn sites and religious cults were propagating like a pandemic. We concentrated more on cults, which actually fell behind and realized that spreading their beliefs without the need for member fees was better (that is another topic in itself), but in the five pages of the comparison, some of these methods were discussed. Obviously this was back in the late 90's, so over the years they have obviously progressed quite a bit.

    You all just made me wonder exactly where that thesis is... I have to go find it now. YES, I still hold on to my best papers, SAD huh?
    Signature
    Traffic Exchange - Solo Ads - Contact Solo Ads
    Social Networking For Internet Marketers to Increase Traffic to Referral Program or Site.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877023].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author fasteasysuccess
    They also use...

    Supply and Demand, instant satisfaction, and make it appear ok to check out. Sex sells and they are offering it to people who want it now and who are too embarrased to go down to their local video store as well. They get all types of people huh?
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877049].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gabibeowulf
    here's a big one:

    14(?). AFFILIATE PROGAMS
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877055].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
      Banned
      Originally Posted by gabibeowulf View Post

      here's a big one:

      14(?). AFFILIATE PROGAMS
      Mentioned in #7. :p
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877076].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tony Hetherington
    They are the first to "discover" a new hot site like squidoo and hubpages
    Signature
    All You NEED To Make Money Online! - Lucrative Membership Site + 41 Traffic Methods + List building - $10

    Free e-course - build your list in 2 weeks.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877085].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jasonmorgan
    promotional content
    something many mainstream programs are lacking. perhaps if they understood the value of creating promotional content for their affiliates they might see better sales.

    For starters, good ol' spam. Who knows, the porn folks probably invented the email harvesting bots. And based on my email over the years, I'd say they've certainly pioneered the art of getting a spam mail through the filters.

    Secondly, they've pioneered dubious SEO tactics for years. I think (but am not sure) that they're the ones who developed things like keyword stuffing, showing one page to the search engines and another to the users, scraping content, etc. Lots of BH stuff just in this category.
    Those are a lot of assumptions. You're blaming porn for spam and dubious SEO tactics but admit that you don't even know if they are responsible for it.

    Now, the reasons that some of these things may have been pioneered by porn would be because they were in the IM game early. Once mainstream IM took off they didn't hesitate to use these same techniques.

    SAD that such practice can actually be the pioneer in so many things
    Why is it sad? It's a legal business just like any other.
    Signature

    I'm all about that bass.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877173].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Chris Worner
    They also insured the success of VHS over Beta, and Blueray over HD-disc.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877180].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jasonmorgan
    You beat me to it! I've read on the Internet (not from personal viewing experience) - they are masters at the drug-dealer "first one's free" delivery.
    you're way off the mark... there is so much promotional content available online for free that it's difficult to sell anything.

    With the recent evolution of tube sites, who's going to buy a membership when you can watch full length movies for free.... nevermind, I just made a sale! GO ME!
    Signature

    I'm all about that bass.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877190].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Gary King
      Originally Posted by jasonmorgan View Post

      you're way off the mark... there is so much promotional content available online for free that it's difficult to sell anything.

      With the recent evolution of tube sites, who's going to buy a membership when you can watch full length movies for free.... nevermind, I just made a sale! GO ME!
      Well, congrats on the sale.

      My point was not to brow-beat you, simply to say that you're correct - they offer so much for free.

      From the consumer standpoint and getting traffic, that's great.

      From a selling it standpoint, it's almost as if they have cannibalized themselves, no?
      Signature

      ===========================
      OFFLINERS! Warning: Unless You Know These Pricing Secrets, You are Leaving THOUSANDS on the Table. Get Your Free Report Now.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877871].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author innocent07
        Banned
        Porn sites have really had a BIG influence on the lives of many males.

        and i mean BIG! :p
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877892].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
    Banned
    Two more from Mike Humphreys (in a PM) -

    The porn industry was probably the first to use long-tail keywords to drive traffic from tons of sources. They had to b/c companies like Google wouldn't sell them PPC or the prices quickly grew too high for the busiest keywords.
    They are also the first online to do upsells (i.e. get the live cam access in addition to regular membership), suggestion sales (other members also buy... XYZ) and partner/package other sites' memberships (i.e. one payment gets access to more than one site). The suggestion sales is a tactic that Amazon is famous for... but they weren't the first to do it online.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877259].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MR.MOE
    If its one thing I'm having trouble with its selling my porn site. I wanted to make it so bad and its up and running and gets traffic. Then reality steps in and says YOU HAVE TOO MUCH STUFF lol. So if anyone knows a good place to sell it please let me know.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877905].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kevin-VirtualProfitCenter
    Mel I see you've been doing lots of research.
    Signature
    The Miracle Squeeze Page: Scientifically Proven to Convert 84.1% of Visitors into Subscribers

    Works for Anybody, Any niche - It's so simple you'll wonder why everyone isn't using it
    Click Here Now to Download It!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1877912].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author The Copy Nazi
    Banned
    Clearly, the proportion of people searching for porn related material is growing at a smaller rate than the overall online population. In comparison to the number of people getting online, there is less activity in the sex industry and more for social networking and communication. In short, the Internet is no longer the seedy back alley it was in 1995.
    So if it's not growing in number of pageviews, in what way is the adult industry expanding? What's the next horizon? Long tail keyword satisfaction is one way. With so many subcultures and genres, porn sites have been doing an amazing job catching those specific interests ranging between everything from furries to adult babies, Gorians to Amazons.
    In word tracker, the term "dirty" produces a list of 100 most searched for keyword terms. Among these 100 keyword terms, 46 of them are made up of 3 or more words; averaging between 2,535 and 159 clicks per day according to Google's daily estimate. That's a lot of high volume, incredibly specific for long tail keyword terms.
    From this very good article here - Porn: Still Leading Online Advertising? | Search Engine Journal
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1878452].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
    Micro Niches.
    Signature
    Screw You, NameCheap!
    $1 Off NameSilo Domain Coupons:
    SAVEABUCKDOMAINS & DOLLARDOMAINSAVINGS
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1878560].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Raygun
    Here is a little known fact about the porn industry. Remember the battle of Beta Vs VHS? Well the winner was chosen because the porn industry picked VHS. The same can be said for Blu Ray vs HD DVD. I met a guy about 4 years ago that worked for ESPN, he told me that eventually everything will be in Blu Ray because the porno industry is going that route.
    Signature
    $25,000 Prizes===>>>
    http://clicknbank.com/jv-invite.php
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1878682].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author innocent07
      Banned
      Out of curiosity, What are the most popular niches within porn?

      Lets see how many people have the courage to answer that, and share their knowledge :p
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1878729].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Nick Brighton
        Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

        I really can't add anything. I'm not so familiar with that industry.

        -Ray Edwards
        And then...

        Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

        That really bugs me too! Those people who post saying that they
        cannot help. If you have nothing to say then just don't say (write)
        anything.

        I'm with you on that one.

        -Ray Edwards
        Am I missing something here?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1878821].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author ChrisByrns
        Originally Posted by innocent07 View Post

        Out of curiosity, What are the most popular niches within porn?

        Lets see how many people have the courage to answer that, and share their knowledge :p
        "black midgets getting humped by one-legged shemales".

        ..it's all about micro-niches.
        ..or cams.
        Signature
        Custom Cartoons
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1878999].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Atkins
    I guess it's safe to say that the internet wouldn't be the internet that
    we have today if it wasn't for porn.

    Thank you porn

    Nice research mal. Very interesting post.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1878907].message }}

Trending Topics