The Kink Hub

Everything you need to understand kink, explore it safely, find your role, and connect with the right people — in one place. The Kink Hub brings together over 150 guides, definitions, safety resources and quizzes written specifically for adults who take kink seriously.

Whether you are completely new to BDSM and trying to make sense of the territory, an experienced practitioner looking for depth on a specific topic, or somewhere in between — start here and follow the threads that matter to you.

Kink foundations

The place to start if you are new to kink, or if you want solid grounding in the ideas and language that the rest of the community takes as read. These guides cover what kink actually is, how BDSM works, what the research says about the people who practise it, and how to begin exploring on your own terms.

What is kink? — a clear, unsentimental answer to the question most people start with.
What is BDSM? — the acronym explained, and what it actually covers in practice.
Beginner's guide to kink — the best single starting point if you are new to all of this.
Types of kinks — a broad overview of the territory, useful for finding language for your interests.
Difference between kink and fetish — two terms that get used interchangeably and mean different things.
Psychology of kink — what the research actually says about who practises kink and why.
Is kink normal? — the short answer is yes. The long answer is more interesting.
Is BDSM healthy? — addressing the question directly, with reference to the research.
Common BDSM myths — the misconceptions that follow kink around, examined and put to rest.
History of BDSM — where it comes from, and how the community and its values developed.
Am I a dominant or submissive? — a guide to finding your orientation before the quizzes help you test it.
How to identify your kink — practical advice on working out what specifically appeals to you.
How to explore kink safely — the principles that apply across all kink exploration.
How to talk to a partner about kink — the conversation most people find hardest, made easier.
Understanding power exchange — the core dynamic that runs through most of BDSM.
Online vs real-life BDSM — how the two differ, and when each is the right starting point.
BDSM community etiquette — how the community operates and what is expected of you within it.
Ethics in BDSM — the values that underpin consensual kink practice.

Consent and safety

Consent is not a formality in kink — it is the thing that separates a healthy dynamic from an abusive one. These guides cover the frameworks practitioners use, how to negotiate well, how to recognise when something is wrong, and how to take care of yourself and the people you play with.

Consent in BDSM — the foundation. How consent works in kink and why it matters more here, not less.
SSC explained — Safe, Sane and Consensual: the oldest consent framework in the community.
RACK explained — Risk-Aware Consensual Kink: the framework for activities where 'safe' is not quite the right word.
PRICK explained — Personal Responsibility in Consensual Kink: a more individual-focused approach.
What is a safe word? — how safe words work, why they matter, and how to use them well.
Safe words guide — a deeper look at different safe word systems and when to use each.
Negotiation before a scene — what to cover before any kink encounter begins.
Hard limits vs soft limits — understanding the difference and why both matter.
BDSM contracts explained — what they are, what they cover, and whether you need one.
Aftercare explained — what happens after a scene and why it is as important as the scene itself.
Aftercare for submissives — what submissives typically need and how Dominants can provide it.
Aftercare for dominants — the often-overlooked reality of top drop and Dominant aftercare.
Drop and sub drop explained — the emotional and physiological crash that can follow intense play.
Emotional safety in power exchange — protecting psychological wellbeing in Dominant/submissive dynamics.
Impact play safety — the specific safety considerations for spanking, flogging and similar activities.
Safe bondage practices — how to restrain and be restrained without causing harm.
Online BDSM safety — staying safe when kink connections begin online.
How to vet a BDSM partner — due diligence before you trust someone with your safety.
Red flags in BDSM dating — the warning signs that a potential partner may not be safe.
Toxic dynamics in BDSM — the difference between a demanding dynamic and an abusive one.
Avoiding manipulation in kink — how to identify and protect yourself from coercive behaviour.
First BDSM experience safety — specific guidance for people approaching their first kink encounter.

Roles and power dynamics

Dominant, submissive, switch — and every variation within those orientations. These guides cover what each role actually involves, the traits and psychology associated with each, compatibility considerations, and how to find partners whose role genuinely complements yours.

Fetish and kink interests

Definitions, explanations and practical guides for specific kink activities and fetish interests. Each page covers what the activity is, why people are drawn to it, what it involves in practice, and the safety considerations specific to it — with no judgment and no sensationalism.

Bondage and restraint

Bondage explained
Rope bondage explained
Shibari explained — the Japanese art of rope bondage, its history and practice.

Impact play

Power exchange and dynamics

Nurturing dynamics

Sensation and edge play

Fetish interests

Exhibition, voyeurism and role play

States and experiences

Subspace explained — the altered state some submissives enter during intense scenes.
Top drop explained — the crash Dominants can experience after a scene, and how to manage it.

Quizzes

Structured quizzes designed to help you understand your orientation, interests, and compatibility — with genuine A, B and C questions and results that go somewhere useful. Use them as a starting point for self-knowledge, not a final verdict.

Dominant or submissive quiz — the most fundamental question in kink, examined carefully.
Which BDSM role fits you? — Dominant, submissive or switch: find out where you actually belong.
Are you a switch quiz — for people who suspect the binary does not quite fit them.
What is my kink quiz — physical, psychological, or fetish-specific: find out which territory draws you.
What fetish matches you? — a more specific look at which kink interests genuinely appeal.
BDSM compatibility quiz — go beyond role match to understand dynamic compatibility.
Find your power dynamic — scene-based, relationship-integrated, or structured 24/7: which fits?
Kink personality quiz — the practitioner, the explorer, or the experience-seeker: what kind of kink person are you?
Dominant traits test — explore the character and style of your Dominance.
Submissive traits test — explore the character and style of your submission.
Is BDSM right for me quiz — a readiness assessment for people at the beginning of the journey.
BDSM beginner quiz — find your starting point and what to do next.

Find your match on Kink Connex

The Kink Hub exists to help you understand what you want. Kink Connex exists to help you find it. Once you have a clearer sense of your role, your interests, and what you are looking for in a dynamic, the next step is connecting with people who are looking for exactly what you bring.