The superseding indictment alleges that Backpage and The Erotic Review had a reciprocal link agreement, where both parties allowed ads to be posted on their sites.

A 2008 River Front Times article features Elms commenting that the average site-user was "between 35 and 55 years old with a median income of $80,000".

[11] Some critics have claimed that Elms has accepted bribes to promote certain agencies or call girls and has pressured others into providing sexual favors.

[12][13] Others have made claims of Elms threatening them with bodily harm for criticizing the site or refusing to provide sexual services.

[16] Others have expressed "frustration" over the company's association with law enforcement, stating that the site should be warning escorts and/or users if someone is a police officer.