UK porn site traffic drops sharply after age verification rules

UK porn site traffic has seen a major decline since the introduction of mandatory age verification rules for adult content. According to recent analytics, leading platforms like Pornhub and XVideos recorded a sharp decrease in visitors, with some sites losing nearly half of their UK audience within just two weeks. This drop has sparked conversations about the effectiveness of the new laws, user privacy concerns, and how people are finding ways to bypass the restrictions.

UK porn site traffic falls after rule changes

Figures from Similarweb show that Pornhub’s UK traffic fell by 47% between July 24th, the day before the rules came into force, and August 8th. This represents a loss of over one million UK visitors in just 14 days. XVideos experienced a similar 47% drop in the same period, while OnlyFans saw a smaller decline of 10%. Interestingly, some smaller and less strictly regulated sites have seen an increase in traffic as users seek alternatives.

VPN use spikes as users bypass restrictions

Although the new regulations aim to prevent underage access, they are proving easy to circumvent through VPNs, which disguise a user’s location. In fact, Proton VPN reported a staggering 1,800% surge in daily sign-ups from UK users within three days of the rules taking effect. Data also reveals that three of the top ten iOS apps in the UK are currently VPN services, highlighting how quickly many people adapted to the new restrictions.

Privacy concerns and the future of age verification

While the goal of protecting minors is widely supported, critics argue that the current age verification methods risk compromising user privacy and may simply push traffic toward less secure websites. As policymakers evaluate the impact of these rules, the debate will likely center on balancing child safety with digital rights. The coming months will reveal whether these measures can be refined to address both security and privacy concerns effectively.