{{Short description|Female erotica website}} {{Infobox company | name = Sssh.com | native_name = | native_name_lang = | logo = File:Sssh Logo.png | logo_size = | logo_alt = Sssh.com Logo | logo_caption = Sssh.com Logo | logo_padding = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = Sssh Founder Angie Rowntree | image_caption = Sssh Founder Angie Rowntree | type = | founded = {{start date and age|1999|08|01}} | founder = | hq_location = | hq_location_city = | hq_location_country = | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Angie Rowntree (director, founder & CEO) | industry = Women's erotica | products = | brands = | services = | owner = | ratio = | rating = | website = {{URL|sssh.com}} | former_name = }}
'''Sssh.com''' is an independent members-only female erotica site and the first "porn for women" website to be recognized by the mainstream adult industry, winning the XBIZ Award for Best Alternative Website.<ref>{{cite web |title=XBIZ Award Winners 2015 |url=https://xbizawards.xbiz.com/winners2015.php |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=XBIZ Awards}}</ref>
==History== Sssh.com is a porn for women (feminist pornography) and erotica site that features original HD erotic movies, original novels, audio plays, radio stations, VR applications, live events, and more. The site is run by women for a female audience. The sites content, including its movies, have all been inspired by its members, via surveys, which has been continually running for seventeen years{{When|date=July 2023}}.{{cn|date=January 2023}}
The focus of Sssh.com is on chemistry and mutual pleasure, with women in strong character roles taking control of their own pleasure.<ref name="ABC News">{{cite web |last=Boudreau |first=Abbie |date=April 20, 2012 |title=Mommy Porn Revolution? More Women Seek Erotica, Romance |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/mommy-porn-revolution-women-seek-erotica-written-woman/story?id=16182264 |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=ABC News |publisher=}}</ref> Founder Angie Rowntree said, "I launched Sssh.com in 1999, for a very simple reason: When I looked around the web at all the different porn sites, and looked around the adult video market at all the different titles and series, I didn't see much which would appeal to women."<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview With Angie Rowntree Of Sssh.com |url=http://porncorporation.com/adult-industry/interview-with-angie-rowntree-of-sssh-com/ |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=Porn Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=G |first=Lynsey |date=March 25, 2016 |title=What Women Really Want In Their Porn |url=http://www.refinery29.com/2016/03/106840/popular-porn-for-women |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=Refinery29 |publisher=Vice Media}}</ref>
At the 2013 Oscars, female nominees were given a free one-year VIP membership to the site as part of a gift bag.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=February 18, 2013 |title=Sssh.com, Screaming O Add Buzz and Smiles to Oscar Gift Bags |url=http://business.avn.com/articles/technology/Sssh-com-Screaming-O-Add-Buzz-and-Smiles-to-Oscar-Gift-Bags-506802.html |magazine=AVN |issn=0883-7090 |access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref>
==Selected productions== {{Importance section|date=July 2023}} *''Gone'' is a story about love and loss in small town America. Critic Rich Moreland stated, "Angie Rowntree and Sssh.com deserve congratulations for perhaps the most thoughtful and significant porn film this reviewer has ever seen. It stands alone in defining adult film as art."<ref>{{cite web |last=Moreland |first=Rich |date=10 November 2015 |title=Gone: An Illuminated Sacrifice |url=http://3hattergrindhouse.com/2015/11/10/gone-an-illuminated-sacrifice/ |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=3hattergrindhouse.com |publisher=}}</ref> Madeline Blue was nominated for XBIZ's "Best Actress – Couples Release" for her role in the film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moreland |first=Rich |date=15 January 2016 |title=A Nice Girl Who Howls at the Moon: Part Four, Making Magic |url=http://3hattergrindhouse.com/2016/01/15/a-nice-girl-who-howls-at-the-moon-part-four-making-magic/ |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=3hattergrindhouse.com |publisher=}}</ref> *''Ellington'' is a Cinderella story of Cindy Ellington, who is taken advantage of by her stepmother. Her college friend, Joe Prince, tries to help and a romance develops.<ref>{{cite web |last=Singer |first=Coleen |title=Porn For Women – Ellington – An Erotic Fairy Tale For Women |url=http://www.eroticscribes.com/ellington-trailer/ |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=eroticscribes.com |publisher=}}</ref> The movie was featured on ABC's Nightline.<ref name="ABC News" />
==Education== ''Mindbrowse.com'' and ''SexTalkTuesday.com'' are websites produced by Sssh.com founder Angie Rowntree.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last=Freixes |first=Alejandro |date=February 29, 2016 |title=Sssh.com Releases Full Recording of 'Consent in Porn' Panel |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=204988&mi=all&q=mindbrowse |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423224946/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=204988&mi=all&q=mindbrowse |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=XBIZ |publisher=}}</ref>
''Mindbrowse.com'' hosts a live streaming show where professionals in the adult industry talk about issues facing the industry.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Pardon |first=Rhett |date=December 29, 2015 |title=Mindbrowse.com Presents 'It's Porn, Not HBO' at XBIZ Show |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=202671&mi=all&q=mindbrowse |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423205033/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=202671&mi=all&q=mindbrowse |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=XBIZ}}</ref> Past guests have included Nick Hawk,<ref>{{cite web |date=April 5, 2013 |title=Sssh.Com Interviews Nick Hawk from Showtime's 'Gigolos' |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Sssh-Com-Interviews-Nick-Hawk-from-Showtime-s-Gigolos-512164.html |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=AVN}}</ref> Cindy Gallop,<ref>{{cite web |date=July 8, 2014 |title=MakeLoveNotPorn Co-Founder Tagged for Women in Porn Debate |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/MakeLoveNotPorn-Co-Founder-Tagged-for-Women-in-Porn-Debate-566185.html |access-date=12 April 2016 |issn=0883-7090 |publisher=AVN}}</ref> Candida Royalle, Jacky St. James and Chauntelle Tibbals.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
''Sex Talk Tuesday'' features participants who share their thoughts and opinions on sex. Past guests have included comedian Margaret Cho,<ref>{{cite web |last=Gray |first=Lila |date=January 5, 2015 |title=Comedian Margaret Cho Moderating #SexTalkTuesday Today |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=189577&mi=all&q=sex+talk+tuesday |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423221131/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=189577&mi=all&q=sex+talk+tuesday |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=XBIZ |publisher=}}</ref> actress CoCo Brown,<ref>{{cite web |date=October 12, 2015 |title=CoCo Brown to Moderate 'Sex Talk Tuesday' |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=200011&mi=all&q=sex+talk+tuesday |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423231203/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=200011&mi=all&q=sex+talk+tuesday |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=XBIZ}}</ref> adult director Holly Randall,<ref>{{cite web |last=Sanford |first=John |date=July 27, 2015 |title=Holly Randall to Moderate 'Sex Talk Tuesday' |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=197199&mi=all&q=sex+talk+tuesday |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423230452/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=197199&mi=all&q=sex+talk+tuesday |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=XBIZ}}</ref> adult actress Kendra Sunderland,<ref>{{cite web |date=October 20, 2015 |title=Kendra Sunderland to Moderate 'Sex Talk Tuesday' Today |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=200320&mi=all&q=sex+talk+tuesday |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423215355/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=200320&mi=all&q=sex+talk+tuesday |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=XBIZ}}</ref> ''Gigolos'' actor Garen James,<ref>{{cite web |last=Sanford |first=John |date=August 3, 2015 |title=Garren James Leads 'SexTalkTuesday' |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=197448&mi=all&q=Cowboys4Angels |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423203049/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=197448&mi=all&q=Cowboys4Angels |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=XBIZ}}</ref> therapist Gloria Brame,<ref>{{cite web |date=October 17, 2014 |title=Therapist Dr. Gloria Brame is #SexTalkTuesday Moderator, Oct. 21 |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Therapist-Dr-Gloria-Brame-is-SexTalkTuesday-Moderator-Oct-21-576869.html |access-date=12 April 2016 |issn=0883-7090 |publisher=AVN}}</ref> sex educator Ducky DooLittle,<ref>{{cite web |date=August 8, 2014 |title=Ducky DooLittle to Guest Moderate #SexTalkTuesday, Aug. 12 |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Ducky-DooLittle-to-Guest-Moderate-SexTalkTuesday-Aug-12-568972.html |access-date=12 April 2016 |issn=0883-7090 |publisher=AVN}}</ref> adult actress Belle Knox,<ref>{{cite web |date=July 10, 2014 |title='Duke Porn Star' Belle Knox to Host #SexTalkTuesday July 15 |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Duke-Porn-Star-Belle-Knox-to-Host-SexTalkTuesday-July-15-566383.html |access-date=12 April 2016 |issn=0883-7090 |publisher=AVN}}</ref> author Midori,<ref>{{cite web |date=January 20, 2014 |title=#SexTalkTuesday to Welcome Guest Moderator Midori Jan. 21 |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/SexTalkTuesday-to-Welcome-Guest-Moderator-Midori-Jan-21-544917.html |access-date=12 April 2016 |issn=0883-7090 |publisher=AVN}}</ref> and comedian Sara Benincasa.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 12, 2013 |title=Comedian Sara Benincasa to Moderate #SexTalkTuesday, Dec. 17 |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Comedian-Sara-Benincasa-to-Moderate-SexTalkTuesday-Dec-17-538583.html |access-date=12 April 2016 |issn=0883-7090 |publisher=AVN}}</ref>
==Media== Sssh.com founder Angie Rowntree is a frequent panel discussion participant at adult industry trade shows, and has been profiled by major media outlets including ABC's Nightline,<ref name="ABC News"/> Cosmopolitan,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Moore |first=Lane |date=September 23, 2014 |title=Meet the Married Couple Who Created a Safe Way to Search for Porn |url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/news/a31286/meet-the-married-couple-who-created-a-safe-way-to-search-for-porn/ |magazine=Cosmopolitan |issn=0010-9541 |access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref> CNBC,<ref>{{cite web |last=Morris |first=Chris |date=15 January 2013 |title=Porn's New Market: Women |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2013/01/15/porns-new-market-women.html |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=CNBC}}</ref> Fox News,<ref>{{cite web |last=McKay |first=Hollie |date=25 March 2015 |title=From 'Deep Throat' to 'Lovelace:' How the porn industry has changed |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/from-deep-throat-to-lovelace-how-the-porn-industry-has-changed/ |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=FOX News}}</ref> and Time Magazine,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Stein |first=Joel |date=June 8, 2011 |title=America's Next Top Weiner |url=http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2076562,00.html |magazine=Time Magazine |issn=0040-781X |oclc=1311479 |access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref> and Psychology Today.<ref>{{cite web |last=Seltzer |first=Leon |date=May 14, 2012 |title=The Triggers of Sexual Desire Pt 2: What's Erotic for Women? |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolution-the-self/201205/the-triggers-sexual-desire-pt-2-what-s-erotic-women |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=Psychology Today |issn=0033-3107}}</ref>
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Ceremony ! Result ! Category |- | rowspan="2"| 2012 | AVN Award | {{nom}} |Best Alternative Website<ref>{{cite web |date=January 22, 2012 |title=AVN Announces the 2012 AVN Award Winners |url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/AVN-Announces-the-2012-AVN-Award-Winners-461715.html |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=AVN |issn=0883-7090}}</ref> |- | XBIZ Awards | {{nom}} |Specialty Site of the Year<ref>{{cite web |last=Batman |first=Tony |date=November 26, 2012 |title=Sssh.Com Picks Up Xbiz Award Nomination For Site Of The Year |url=http://www.tonybatman.com/sssh-com-picks-up-xbiz-award-nomination-for-site-of-the-year/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929134855/http://www.tonybatman.com/sssh-com-picks-up-xbiz-award-nomination-for-site-of-the-year/ |archive-date=2014-09-29 |access-date=12 April 2016 |website=Tonybatman.com |publisher=}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3"| 2013 | rowspan="2"|Sex Awards | {{nom}} |Hottest Sex Scene for ''Ellington''<ref>{{cite web |title=Hottest Sex Scene - The Sex Awards 2013 |url=http://thesexawards.com/voting/14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706201401/http://thesexawards.com/voting/14 |archive-date=2013-07-06 |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=The Sex Awards}}</ref> |- | {{nom}} |Favorite Adult Website<ref>{{cite web |title=Favorite Adult Website - The Sex Awards 2013 |url=http://thesexawards.com/voting/8 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706170844/http://thesexawards.com/voting/8 |archive-date=2013-07-06 |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=The Sex Awards}}</ref> |- | XBIZ Awards | {{nom}} |Specialty Site of the Year<ref>{{cite web |date=December 3, 2012 |title=Wasteland, SpiceCash Receive 3 XBIZ Award Nominations |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=157179 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423221808/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=157179 |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=12 April 2016 |publisher=XBIZ}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3"| 2014 | rowspan="2"|AVN Awards | {{nom}} |Best Specialty Site of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=December 5, 2013 |title=Wasteland Studios Garner Five 2014 XBIZ Awards Nominations |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=172087 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423212252/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=172087 |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=2016-04-12 |website=XBIZ}}</ref> |- | {{nom}} |Best Web Release for ''Ellington''{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} |- | XBIZ Awards | {{nom}} |Specialty Site of the Year{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} |- |- | rowspan="3"| 2015 | rowspan="2"|XBIZ Awards | {{nom}} |Feminist Porn Release of the Year for ''Interlude''<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |date=January 8, 2015 |title=Sssh.com is Nominated for Two 2015 XBIZ Awards |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=189733 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423231706/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=189733 |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=2016-04-12 |website=XBIZ}}</ref> |- | {{won}} |Best Alternative Website<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=January 19, 2015 |title=Sssh.com Receives 2015 XBIZ Award for Adult Site of the Year - Alternative |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=190029&mi=all&q=sssh.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426011403/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=190029&mi=all&q=sssh.com |archive-date=2016-04-26 |access-date=2016-04-15 |website=XBIZ}}</ref> |- | AVN Awards | {{nom}} |Best Alternative Website<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2015 |title=Sssh.Com Receives AVN Nom for 'Best Alternative Website' |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Sssh-Com-Receives-AVN-Nom-for-Best-Alternative-Website-583986.html |access-date=2016-04-12 |website=AVN |issn=0883-7090}}</ref> |- | rowspan="8"| 2016 | rowspan="3"|XBIZ Awards | {{nom}} |Adult Site of the Year for Women<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=November 25, 2015 |title=Sssh.com Garners 5 XBIZ Award Nominations |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=201596 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423233542/http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=201596 |archive-date=2016-04-23 |access-date=2016-04-12 |website=XBIZ}}</ref> |- | {{nom}} |Couples-Themed Release of the Year{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} |- | {{nom}} |Marketing Campaign of the Year{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} |- | rowspan="2"|AVN Awards | {{nom}} |Best Drama for ''Gone''<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2015 |title=Sssh.com's 'Gone' Draws Nomination For Best Drama In AVN Awards |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Sssh-com-s-Gone-Draws-Nomination-For-Best-Drama-In-AVN-Awards-614744.html |access-date=2016-04-12 |website=AVN |issn=0883-7090}}</ref> |- | {{nom}} |Best Alternative Website<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2015 |title=Sssh.com Receives AVN Nomination for Best Alternative Website |url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Sssh-com-Receives-AVN-Nomination-for-Best-Alternative-Website-615446.html |access-date=2016-04-12 |website=AVN |issn=0883-7090}}</ref> |- | CineKink Film Festival | {{n/a}} |''Gone'' Chosen as Official Selection<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |date=17 February 2016 |title=sector king zulu king + gone |url=http://cinekink.com/programs-and-events/nyc/cinekink-nyc-2016/sector-king-zulu-king-gone/ |access-date=2016-04-12 |website=CineKink}}</ref> |- | Swedish International Film Festival | {{nom}} |''Gone'' Chosen as Official Selection<ref name="LA">{{Cite news |last=Freixes |first=Alejandro |date=2016-08-10 |title=Sssh.com's 'Gone' Named Semi-Finalist at Swedish Film Festival |language=en |newspaper=XBIZ |url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/209952}}</ref> |- | Los Angeles CineFest | {{nom}} |''Gone'' Chosen as Official Selection<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wissot |first=Lauren |date=August 10, 2016 |title=The rise of female-driven porn: Pioneer Angie Rowntree on Sssh.com |url=http://globalcomment.com/the-rise-of-female-driven-porn-pioneer-angie-rowntree-on-sssh-com/ |website=Global Comment}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
== External links == <!-- Per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only --> * [http://sssh.com Official Sssh.com Website]
Category:Internet properties established in 1999 Category:American erotica and pornography websites Category:Women's erotica and pornography Category:Feminist pornography