Rooted in the intention of pleasing only oneself, masturbation is the ultimate self-care, and for many of us, watching porn and masturbating go, well, hand in hand. But despite the fact that according to a 2018 study by TENGA, a sexual health and wellness company, 76 percent of American women masturbate regularly, many women and nonbinary individuals lament the lack of pornography that appeals directly to them. Traditional visual porn all too often centers the male perspective, and a concerning lack of accountability in the industry makes it difficult to know if content has been created ethically (which makes it a bummer to watch).
Enter audio erotica, a genre that straddles the zone between bedtime story and phone sex, in which voice actors narrate red-hot fiction without the visuals. Thanks to a slew of websites and apps offering porn created for and by women, including Dipsea, &Jane, and Emjoy, this genre is changing the way people see (or hear) porn.
Unlike typical visual porn, this new wave of audio erotica feels steered by a feminine force and intended for a non-male audience, with many of the apps created by women who were frustrated with the porn they found elsewhere. The erotic stories of audio porn can run the gamut from queer couple foreplay to hard-core BDSM, each providing nearly endless opportunities to visualize any size, shape, or body type the mind can conjure. And if you swoon at the thought of a British accent, this genre has you covered. Audio-curious? Here are three services to check out. – Stephanie Ganz
Quinn
Often called “the Peloton of audio porn,” Quinn encourages users to submit their own 10-minute stories, which are curated by Quinn staff to ensure adherence to the site’s guidelines. Subscribers pay $4.99 per month to gain access to user-generated content like “Sweatpants” by LateNightFeels or playlists like “Dirty Talk 101,” which includes over four hours of audio.
&Jane
Known for centering diverse voices, &Jane features stories told exclusively by women and welcomes listeners to share their own stories. Subscribers follow their favorite creators, mirroring the social media experience (but sexier). Best of all, with every $4.99 monthly subscription, &Jane makes a donation to the Woodhull Freedom Foundation, “the only national human rights organization that works full-time to affirm and protect sexual freedom as a fundamental human right.”
Girl on the Net
Since 2011, the mission of Girl on the Net has been to challenge sexual stigmas. This London-based blog includes illustrations, advice, erotic stories, and recommendations for sex toys. In response to a visually impaired visitor to the site, Girl on the Net founder, “Sarah,” began reading her stories aloud, and now audio erotica is one of the things she’s known for. Best of all, it’s free, but supporting the site on Patreon is encouraged.
ILLUSTRATION: Mia Carnevale
This article originally appeared in BUST’s Summer 2022 print edition. Subscribe today!