Backpage used to be a good go-to when I wanted to search for a provider's availability in a particular neighborhood or get more details re: age, etc. Now providers are posting on BP only using phone numbers, something that makes searching more difficult. Anyone know why this has become the new style for posting ads?

Thanks.

I suspect it's a maneuver to forestall all the legal actions DAs have been leveling against BP for the past several years.  

Thanks. That makes sense.

I suspect it has to do with all the changes BP has been making in regards to the legality of the whole situation to better cover their asses basically. They now require certain things never required before. Plus provider ads are more susceptible to being removed if too much information/suspect wording used in postings, so ads are becoming more and more plain

BP is limiting the text that can be placed in W4M ads  It appears to be related to a bill that Congress is seriously considering which would make a website operator liable for the content posted by advertisers -- it's called SESTA for Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act

Currently, the operator of a website is shielded from prosectution if someone uses the site to advertise an illegal activity -- this law would specifically allow for local prosecution and civil lawsuits if a website carries promotions for sex trafficking.

It appears that BP is preventing any text from appearing in the ads because the new law would require them to monitor the ads or they can be held liable.

SESTA is definitely making it harder on legitimate, professional escorts who see BP as a main source of revenue.  I do think there is still opportunity there.  If you purchase a sponsored listing, it creates a better visual experience or if a potential client used BP from the 'gallery" view.  There is also the option of advertising in "massage" although the target market is slightly different.  

Like any business, you have to find a way to adapt.  I think these recent challenges will only make SEO strategy and  original content even more critical to a companion's business.

Of course, it makes good TER reviews more important than ever. In the past, BP was helpful because it was like a scheduling tool -- just wriitng to ladies with good reviews is very time-consuming. You don't know if they're on vacation or out of town. Half the time they write back a week later.

I've had good luck connecting with highly-reviewed ladies because they placed an ad on BP, basically saying they're now available.

It was much easier to just scan down the list of headlines, looking for something written in English, not eliminating the ones who said they were 19 and 21 (which was far more than half). And then consulting reviews on the ladies who looked promising.

If the quality ladies adapt and create good ads on BP, maybe it will become useful again.