Pros and cons of adding quick sex ad listings to my site?

[MrMax]

Ive had 2 members suggest to me that I add a sex listings area to my site. Like Craigslist's sex ads.
So if someone wants to post a sex ad on my site they have to register and verify themselves, and then they can post a sex ad.

Heres the pros and cons I can think of.
Pros:
- The members might like it
- Makes the site more addictive
- Might make the site more viral so word of mouth spreads

Cons:
- Pain in the ass to constantly moderate these ads for illegal activity
- Teaches members to use my site for free and not pay for the premium features (my site is fre eto join but i charge for watching videos)
- I dont know how it can bring me money in the next few years except for putting banner ads.
- Its going to cost me around $1,000 to have it done and fully integrated into my site.

any thoughts on doing this?

[dzinerbear]

Can't you make it a feature of a paid membership?

Michael

[Seth]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but have you thought of the possible legal ramifications?

Sex Ads (http://www.google.com/search?&q=craigslist+sued+sex)
CL Killer (http://www.google.com/search?q=craigslist+killer)

[Teddy]

Two words: craigslist killer

I don't know what the legal ramifications are (if any). However, I personally have enough headaches without taking on another headache that doesn't bring revenue.

[basschick]

pimping and pandering carries a 5 year sentence per conviction with no early release. also isn't having escorts pretty much going against the point of free hookups?

[MrMax]

I wouldnt allow ads for money for sex or massages for pay or anything. just hookup sex ads.
It would really just look like this http://boston.craigslist.org/m4m/
but the focus would be for daddies & bears & admirers.

anyone can pick someone up off of any site, or any bar, and be a killer.
But yeah that sucks too to have weirdos playing around and wreaking havok.
but from a business standpoint is it a good idea or a bad idea?

[Teddy]

my point wasn't about safety (though that is important), but about the possibility of you being dragged into a legal case should someone get hurt or disparaged (murdered, their pics posted on your site, etc). i'm sure you have enough to-do's already.

i'm new, but i would think that social sites have a whole host of specific considerations that blogs, review sites, etc don't have.

starting at something simple, do you have the time and man power to ensure that nobody is posting anything related to sex, massages, for pay, etc? Or, at least, a strategy to ensure that should someone post something like an ad for "the bear-friend experience for 200 roses" you will not be implicated?

[MrMax]

i agree. its a can of worms and a big headache.
Was just looking for ideas to get work of mouth to spread more on my site. its a bit slow

[Bec]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how is having hookup ads any different from running a dating site?

[MrMax]

Maybe I'm missing something, but how is having hookup ads any different from running a dating site?

Its just a faster paced and naughtier way to announce to everyone that youre looking for NOW and what youre looking for. And people will usually be raunchier in sex ads than they will in their profile. That with the speed of new ads coming in will make it feel more exciting.

[tigermom]

If anything, make it part of the paid membership. It would allow you to monetize and at least cover the expenses of monitoring the service. You can explain that as well btw - just make sure you don't offer any guarantees of monitoring. In fact, I would consult a lawyer about the proper disclaimer for that section.