Kink University Marks Its One-Year Anniversary

SAN FRANCISCO—Kink University, the educational arm of BDSM powerhouse Kink.com, is preparing for sophomore year. The site, which launched in August 2014, marks its one-year anniversary this week—and is celebrating a growing number of viewers. “We reach a really unique audience. It’s very different than other adult sites,” said Kink University dean and director Danarama. “Our audience is nearly 30 percent women, and over half our audience is under 35. These are people traditional adult sites have a hard time reaching, but they’re our bread and butter. We’re filling a need.” In its first year alone, Kink University produced more than 60 tutorials, ranging from belt bondage and flogging to triple penetration and G-spot mastery. The site, which offers both live and online classes, has been featured on hundreds of media outlets, including Cosmo, Shape, Fast Company, MTV and Fox News. According to Kink, the university was launched to “demystify and celebrate alternative sexualities.” Kink University’s classes are not only how-tos, detailed with tips, precautions and context —they’re also visually frank. “As an adult company, we’re not shy about showing sex,” said Danarama. “We had an opportunity to go further than others had. We didn’t want to be a neutered sex-ed class; we wanted to embrace the eroticism of the topics.” So far, that decision has paid off in the form of a growing audience. Also, Kink University is "a crucial way to expand as a brand into non-traditional spaces with non-traditional audiences." But what’s been most meaningful, according to Danarama, has been audience reaction. “We have people constantly writing and thanking us for doing this work. Sometimes they’re closeted about their sexuality, or having trouble talking to a partner. Other times, they’re happy to know how to try something new or do it even better, safely and effectively. Either way, we’re happy to be able to keep doing this.” To sign up for classes, visit KinkUniversity.com.