Editing Kink .com

= Kink.com =

'''Kink.com''' is an American adult entertainment company specializing in BDSM and fetish content. Founded in 1997 by Peter Acworth and headquartered in San Francisco, the studio became renowned for its raw authenticity, performer-led productions, and ethical approach to hardcore themes. It has played a pivotal role in bringing BDSM into the spotlight of adult entertainment, often sparking both acclaim and controversy.

== History ==

Kink.com was launched in 1997 as '''Hogtied.com''' by British entrepreneur Peter Acworth. A Columbia Business School dropout, Acworth created the site to explore and monetize his own interests in bondage. His approach was simple but revolutionary: feature real-life BDSM enthusiasts performing authentic scenes, with full transparency around consent.

Over time, Kink expanded into a network of niche sites including:

* ''Bound Gods''
* ''Device Bondage''
* ''Water Bondage''
* ''Public Disgrace''
* ''The Upper Floor''
* ''Hardcore Gangbang''
* ''Electrosluts''
* ''Everything Butt''

In 2006, Kink.com purchased the historic San Francisco Armory for $14.5 million, converting the vast space into its headquarters and main production set. The Armory became symbolic of the brand—opulent, mysterious, and unapologetically kinky.

In 2018, Kink sold the Armory, shifting to a more decentralized production model aligned with changing industry economics and the rise of creator-owned content.

== Notable Films ==

Kink.com does not produce traditional feature films. Instead, it has created influential BDSM *series* that helped define online fetish content:

* '''Public Disgrace''' – Public BDSM with real audience interaction, filmed in bars, streets, and clubs.
* '''The Upper Floor''' – A web-based reality series portraying a 24/7 BDSM household.
* '''Bound Gods''' – Gay male bondage with a strong focus on D/s roles and discipline.
* '''Device Bondage''' – Elaborate and restrictive metal bondage devices.
* '''Hardcore Gangbang''' – Female-centric gangbangs with extended negotiation scenes.
* '''Electrosluts''' – BDSM scenarios involving electrical stimulation.
* '''Everything Butt''' – Anal-focused kink, including gaping and fisting scenes.

These series shaped the visual language of online BDSM and inspired a generation of performers, producers, and kink educators.

== Awards ==

Kink.com has received critical acclaim and industry awards for its innovation, ethics, and niche excellence:

* AVN Award – Best Specialty Website: BDSM (multiple years)
* XBIZ Award – Fetish Studio of the Year
* Feminist Porn Awards – Nominations for performer-centered kink productions
* Free Speech Coalition – Recognition for consent education and performer advocacy

Despite producing extreme content, Kink earned respect for its transparency and professionalism, and has been featured in academic and media discourse globally.

== Ethical Practices ==

Kink.com positioned itself early on as a leader in ethical porn. Its commitment includes:

* '''Pre- and post-scene interviews''' with performers detailing consent, limits, and expectations.
* A visible '''Stoplight System''' (green/yellow/red) to manage real-time consent.
* Behind-the-scenes negotiation videos available to subscribers.
* Highly paid scenes for performers undertaking extreme acts.
* Emphasis on performer aftercare and mental well-being.
* Publicly accessible '''Code of Conduct''' and producer guidelines.
* Partnership with sex-positive events like Folsom Street Fair.

This framework not only improved the safety of performers but educated audiences about BDSM etiquette and informed consent.

== Controversies ==

Despite its ethics-driven model, Kink.com has faced scrutiny:

* Accusations from outside the industry labeling its content as "violent" or "abusive"—typically by critics unaware of BDSM consent culture.
* Performer disputes over boundaries—most of which led to public revisions in studio policy.
* Neighborhood opposition in San Francisco during the Armory era.
* Public outcry from conservative groups and anti-porn activists.

A 2013 campaign by some former performers raised concerns over high-pressure practices, but also triggered a more rigorous enforcement of performer check-ins and consent verification.

== Ethical Leadership & Evolution ==

After Acworth stepped back from daily operations in 2017, a new leadership team emphasized:

* More diverse representation across gender and race.
* Increased performer autonomy.
* Transparency in pay, production, and editorial decisions.

Kink now operates more like a network, supporting performer-producers and moving away from a centralized studio model.

== External Links ==

* <a href="https://www.kink.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kink.com Official Site</a>
* <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kink.comofficial/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kink.com on Instagram</a>
* <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kink.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kink.com Wikipedia Page</a>
* <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/7x7w3g/kinkcom-founder-peter-acworth-interview" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vice Interview with Peter Acworth</a>
* <a href="https://www.fsc.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Free Speech Coalition – Industry Ethics</a>

[[Category:Studios]]
[[Category:BDSM]]