Adult publisher outreach: finding the publishers who will say yes
Adult publisher outreach starts with a short list: the publications that will actually work with an adult brand. Seven kinds of publisher, how to find them, how to check their policies, and the lists to avoid.
By the AuthorityReachUK research desk · 7 minute read ·
Inside: The short answer · Seven kinds of publisher · How to find them · Check their policy before you pitch · Build a relationship, not a list
The short answer
Many publications will never link to an adult brand, and that is fine. Outreach works when you stop pitching the ones that will not and build a short list of the ones that might: industry and trade press, sex and relationships media, researchers and educators, tech and privacy writers, nightlife and local press, podcasts, and newsletters. Find them, read them, check their policies, then pitch something their readers need.
Seven kinds of publisher
| Publisher | What they need | What to offer |
|---|---|---|
| Industry trade press | News about businesses in the sector | Launches, hires, figures, event news |
| Sex and relationships media | Useful, credible advice and trends | Data, expert comment, practical guides |
| Researchers and educators | Evidence and access | Anonymised data, survey partnerships |
| Tech, payments and privacy press | How technology and rules affect real businesses | Commentary on verification, payments, security |
| Nightlife and local press | Local stories and events | Venue news, community events, sponsorships |
| Podcasts | Guests with something to say | A spokesperson with a clear story |
| Newsletters and creator media | Sources and short, useful items | Data points, tools, quotes |
How to find them
- Your competitors' links. The editorial links in a backlink gap analysis are a ready-made list of publications that have covered your sector.
- Search the topics, not the industry. Search for stories on age verification, adult payments, creator income or online safety, and note who writes them.
- Events and awards. Speaker lists, shortlists and media partners of industry events.
- Podcast directories. Shows on sex, relationships, the creator economy and online business.
- Source-request platforms. Cision closed its Connectively service in December 2024; Featured.com bought the HARO brand and relaunched it in April 2025, and Qwoted runs a similar service. Check each platform's rules on adult topics first.
Check their policy before you pitch
Many publications have written rules about adult content in their editorial policy or advertising terms. Some cover the industry but will not link to explicit sites; some accept sponsored content from adult brands only with a label; some refuse entirely. A two-minute check saves a wasted pitch and protects the relationship.
"Adult-friendly guest post sites" lists sold online are usually networks or sites that sell to anyone. They are exactly what the quality checklist screens out.
Build a relationship, not a list
The publishers most worth having are also the ones most tired of generic requests. Treat them as people you might work with for years:
- Read their last few pieces and note what they cover and what they avoid.
- Be useful first: share a data point or a correction when you genuinely have one, with no request attached.
- Pitch only when you have a story that fits their readers, in a few short paragraphs.
- Follow up once, then wait for the next good story.
- Record everything, so the relationship survives staff changes on both sides.
The rules we follow when we pitch are set out on adult outreach, and campaign ideas in adult digital PR ideas.
Readers ask
Q. Are "adult-friendly guest post site" lists worth buying?
A. Rarely. Lists sold for that purpose are usually networks or sites that sell to anyone, which is exactly what the quality checks screen out. Build your own list from real publications.
Q. Is HARO still running?
A. Yes, under new ownership. Cision closed its Connectively platform in December 2024, and Featured.com bought the HARO brand and relaunched it in April 2025. Qwoted is another source-request platform. Check each one's rules before pitching on adult topics.
Q. How long does it take to build a relationship with an editor?
A. Longer than one email. Read their work, share something useful without asking for a link, and pitch when you have a story that fits. The second and third pitches are usually easier than the first.