There are currently many providers and pornstars alike in the adult industry who often hire individuals that say they specialize in mass DMCA requests to remove links and visibility from search engines like Google, but is it really worth it? And, what are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?
What is a DMCA removal (takedown) request?
A DMCA removal request (or takedown notice) is a formal legal request sent by a copyright holder to an online service provider, web host, or search engine. It demands the immediate removal or disabling of access to online content that illegally copies, hosts, or distributes their original intellectual property. Under the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), this "notice-and-takedown" process allows creators to protect their work online without needing to immediately file a lawsuit.
Why content creators often hire firms to send out massive DMCA removal requests
Creators, escorts and pornstars often hire firms or specialized individuals to send out the massive DMCA requests for many reasons; an effort to protect their income sources from non-authorized websites that may direct that web traffic elsewhere, or their intention is the process of getting out of the adult business for good and they want to try to 'wipe' their past existence.
There are both pros and cons to doing this as you will see below.
The Pros of mass DMCA Removal Requests
Yes, if a firm sends out mass DMCA requests on your behalf, it WILL (temporarily) remove those listings from Google's (or any other search engine's) indexes. This is the only pro argument, and it is not a good one for a few reasons.
- The action is usually temporary as websites often simply change their URLs to be re-indexed.
- The internet is forever. Just because it it removed from a search engine's index does NOT remove it from the actual website that the link points to, and the owners of THOSE website generally do not answer DMCA requests.
The Cons of mass DMCA Removal Requests
Other than what was mentions above, there is a HUGE disadvantage to hiring a company or person to file mass DMCA requests for you: Loss of Income.
Yes, the one thing you thought you were recovering, you will actually lose. I will explain.
Many companies or individuals who 'specialize' in mass DMCA requests do so with impunity. They often ask you to supply them with a short list of 'authorized' links or websites that you do NOT want included; for example: OnlyFans. Here is the main problem: There many (TONS) of websites or links out there on the net that provide inbound links, and therefore traffic (equals dollars) to your 'authorized websites'. The removal of these links (the ones that have high SEO value) is VERY detrimental to your 'authorized websites'.
I once had a pornstar who provided on a certain escort listing website who did this and forgot to include the escort listing website as one of her authorized websites. Result: Within two days, her providing income dropped to zero. Lesson learned.
What's a girl to do? Simple, just don't do it, or be very selective in the DMCA removal requests. Did you find an escort listing website that you did NOT create a listing for and they are just scraping content? First check if the contact information on that listing page is going to your 'official' booking site. If so, leave it, it might me a marketing website for your booker. Ask him or her. Does it clearly direct traffic away from your content in an effort to deprive you of business? Request a DMCA takedown.
Peace & Love,
~Chet