Explicit content on Pixelliott

Our approach in brief

Photography includes adult and artistic work, and we do not think photographers should be turned away for it. We also want Pixelliott to be comfortable for everyone to browse. Five rules make that work together.

Allowed

Photographers can upload explicit photos to Pixelliott, so artistic and adult work has a home.

Detected automatically

Every photo is checked by automatic detection, so creators do not have to label their own work.

Blurred by default

Photos that may be explicit are blurred for visitors, so Pixelliott stays safe for everyone.

You choose what you see

A global Safe and Explicit mode toggle controls whether blurred photos are shown blurred or not.

Not for sale

Explicit content cannot be purchased through the Pixelliott marketplace, and the basket does not accept it.

Explicit content is allowed

You can upload explicit photos to Pixelliott. They are stored in your library like any other photo, and you keep control of your albums, descriptions and visibility.

What changes is how they are presented and what can be done with them. Explicit photos are blurred for visitors, and they cannot be sold through the marketplace. Our terms and creator policy set out the rules in full.

Automatic detection

Creators are not asked to label their own photos. Pixelliott analyses each photo automatically and records whether it may be explicit.

• Photos are checked automatically after they are uploaded, with no manual step for the creator.
• Watermarks and other uploaded images are checked in the same way as photos.
• Detection is automated, so it can occasionally get a photo wrong in either direction.
• The same detection is available to other software through our explicit content detection API.

Automatic blurring

When a photo may be explicit, Pixelliott does not rely on anyone hiding it by hand. The blurred version is what the public sees.

• A blurred thumbnail is generated and used for everyone by default.
• An unblurred version is kept separately and is not stored as a public file.
• Photo pages tell visitors when a thumbnail is blurred because it may be explicit.
• Blurring happens when thumbnails are generated, so it does not depend on a visitor's browser.

The Safe and Explicit mode toggle

A global toggle in the sidebar of your account switches between Safe mode and Explicit mode. It applies across Pixelliott rather than photo by photo, and your choice is remembered in your browser.

Safe mode

The default

Explicit thumbnails are hidden and the blurred version is shown instead. This is what every visitor starts with, including visitors who are not signed in.

Explicit mode

Opt in

Tells Pixelliott that you would rather see unblurred versions where they are available. You switch it on yourself, and you can switch it off again at any time.

Explicit content cannot be purchased

Explicit content cannot currently be sold or purchased through the Pixelliott marketplace. This is enforced when someone adds a photo to their basket, not just displayed as a guideline.

1. 1

   Photo is uploaded

   The photo is analysed and, if it may be explicit, it is marked as explicit.

2. 2

   Photo appears blurred

   It shows up blurred in albums, search and on its own page, with a notice explaining why.

3. 3

   Purchase is blocked

   If someone tries to buy it, the basket rejects it with an explanation, so no order is created for it.

How it works, step by step

1. 1

   Upload

   A creator uploads a photo, whether it is explicit or not.

2. 2

   Detect

   Pixelliott analyses the photo and records whether it may be explicit.

3. 3

   Generate

   Thumbnails are created. For an explicit photo, a blurred version is created for the public, and an unblurred version is stored privately.

4. 4

   Show

   Visitors see the blurred version unless they have switched on Explicit mode.

5. 5

   Protect the marketplace

   Explicit photos cannot be added to a basket, so they cannot be bought.

What creators need to know

You do not need to label anything

Detection runs automatically, so you can upload as normal.

Filter your own library

Creators can filter their photos by whether they are explicit, which makes it easy to review what was flagged.

Explicit photos can still be shared

Marking a photo as explicit does not remove it from your library. It stays blurred for visitors and cannot be sold.

Rules apply to everything

Our terms and creator policy explain what is and is not allowed on Pixelliott.

Frequently asked questions