TikTok is the hype of social media, and it has certainly garnered a lot of attention from users, competitors, as well as the unexpected. And this 'unexpected', is YouPorn.
The adult entertainment website has introduced 'SWYP', which basically offers users a scrolling collection of short previews to the adult videos on the popular pornography website.
Here, users can swipe up to move the next preview; swipe down to see the previous preview; and swipe left to view the full video.
This way, YouPorn wants to offer users a way to discover new content that has been personalized based on their scrolling and swiping activity, without having to serve them several category tabs to choose from.
The site said that it is using machine learning to improve its recommendations ability.
Because YouPorn cannot have its app delivered through Google Play or Apple's App Store due to their policies against pornographic content, YouPorn created SWYP as a web based app.
According to YouPorn VP Charlie Hughes in an announcement:
"Now with the addition of YouPorn SWYP, it is easier than ever for users to explore content based on their specific interests, thus always improving the recommendations within SWYP itself and everywhere on our site. SWYP was designed to be an easier, more visually enticing way to watch porn and discover new content."
TikTok is arguably the hottest internet trend, but there is no doubt that did garnered a lot of attention many have envied.
It has reached 1 billion users quicker that mostly anything on the web, and was even suggested to be capable of becoming larger than Instagram.
Several news websites have been using the unlimited scroll for their stories feed, and TikTok used this same method to popularize the format with video for quick and uninterrupted consumption.
So it makes sense that many platforms are trying to mimic the TikTok experience by taking inspiration from the social media craze.
And YouPorn here, is seen as a no exception.
What it did, is introducing the gestures-based web app, to make all of its videos - both in preview and full-view mode - to play automatically, negating users the need to click/tap on play buttons.
It's all about removing friction to make consumption much easier. As a result, engagements should increase.
Both YouPorn and Pornhub are backed by MindGeek, which was co-founded by Fabian Thylmann in 2004. The company's products have used AI and machine learning technology to some extent to improve experience.
For example, Pornhub said that it uses computer vision to improve search, identify porn stars and automate its content tagging process.