Imgur is getting ready to eradicate a great deal of erotica from the web. Reddit’s go-to site for sharing pornography will be automatically deleting all adult material.

On May 15, 2023, Imgur, an image-hosting website known for hosting much of the adult content posted to Reddit, intends to prohibit any nudity or sexually explicit material. In the Terms of Service statement banning adult content, the website stated that users must download/save any images they wish to keep if they no longer abide by these Terms. Most prominently, this would involve explicit/pornographic content. To further this, Imgur will be using automated tools and human moderators to purge the site of adult content. The company noted that automated detection software would be used to identify explicit content; though, it is aware of the limitations and issues with relying solely on automated detection, so human moderators will also be utilized.

Most people associate Imgur with Reddit, as it is where many Reddit users host images. These can range from memes to DIY projects and a great many pornographic images and gifs in the myriad of Reddit’s adult communities catering to a variety of interests. The policy change brings Imgur’s Terms of Service in line with its Community Guidelines. Back in 2019, Imgur stopped supporting NSFW subreddits and age-gated adult content and made it “hidden,” but it did not remove any adult content or prevent people from posting it.

The new Terms of Service explain what is no longer allowed on Reddit, and it appears to be tight compared to other online platforms, especially Imgur’s previously lenient policy. Starting May 15, Imgur will no longer permit the gratuitous or explicit display of breasts, buttocks, and sexual organs meant to stimulate erotic feelings, comprehensive or partial nudity, any depiction of sexual activity, explicit or implied, any image taken from or of someone without their knowledge or consent for the purpose of sexualization, solicitation (the unwelcome request of sexual content from another person, or selling/offering explicit content and/or adult services).

Adult content communities on Reddit can easily transfer to other image-hosting sites from this point onwards (RedGifs.com is a popular service in those communities already), but the Imgur policy change should, in theory, erase years of adult content from the web. Much of that content is stolen from adult entertainers but also consists of images and gifs posted by creators to promote their OnlyFans, ManyVids, and other monetizable channels.

Imgur referred to porn as bad for business in its announcement of the change. “Explicit and illegal content have historically posed a risk to Imgur’s community and its business. Disallowing explicit content will allow Imgur to address these risks and protect the future of the Imgur community,” it specified.

“We recognize that these transformations may be disruptive to Imgurians who have used Imgur to store their pictures and artwork,” Imgur said. “These alterations are a significant move in Imgur’s continued attempts to remain a secure and enjoyable space on the internet.”

The post concluded with a gif of a cheerful pup.