Pornography consumption increases due to COVID-19 pandemic



The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the pornography industry has been quite positive, unlike other sectors.

Porn sites are witnessing increased traffic, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with one site reporting a 22 per cent spike in traffic when compared to ‘normal’ days.  In many places, these traffic spikes continue to climb due to social distancing measures and the need to self-isolate.

Why are more people viewing pornographic content now? The rapid spread of COVID-19 globally in addition to enforced social distancing rules has led to increased social isolation, boredom, loneliness and stress. Research reveals that people are bound to consume pornography when they are bored or feel stressed. With many people feeling that way now, the increase in pornography is quite explainable. 

Since the pandemic began early last year, people have already begun searching for “corona” or “COVID” themed pornography­—and many producers are latching on to this interest.

“In the past, we have seen other trends and current events being reflected in porn, from the rise of the fidget spinner, or the release of the Joker movie, to the Presidential election. It is easy in times of smartphones and clip uploads for DIY porn producers to respond quickly to anything going on in the world,” said Madita Oeming, a lecturer and porn scholar at the Paderborn University.

Oeming explains that just like all organizations, porn producers are adding COVID-19 related words to boost their marketing. Words like “quarantine” are now being added to video titles to increase clicks and boost online visibility.

“Choosing corona as a theme for new videos seems an obvious choice, especially once you notice it’s trending,” she said in a report. “Many people will likely just see an opportunity for easy clicks.”

Restrictions imposed by health agencies aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 have affected many porn productions companies. Many porn studios are now editing and releasing previously recorded footage since it is difficult to film new videos. For some, they are going as far as sending professional filming equipment to actors in their homes to film themselves—producing online tutorials to help them get started with. 

Despite such extreme efforts by major porn producers, the pandemic is equally supporting efforts by smaller production companies and freelancers, too. Porn actors are increasingly kicking out producers by making homemade videos of themselves on their smartphones and uploading them to newer adult websites or social media platforms like adult tube. These platforms eliminate the need for middlemen and allow porn actors to be more expressive and interact better with their audience.

British porn star, Ella Hughes, says she stopped working with traditional adult content producers since she started using online premium adult sites. Many of her viewers pay her $12.99 every month to watch homemade videos of herself, with some paying an extra $40 to $500 for her to make exclusive bespoke videos, she said. On good weekends, she makes almost a dozen of these private homemade videos, charging a higher rate for doing things like chanting a fan’s name, wearing specific costumes or acting out a fantasy. Hughes says almost all adult performers are now moving to online premium websites to sell homemade content, as it is more lucrative and has a wider audience.

Now, even sex workers are embracing online porn to raise more money during the pandemic, since physical hookups are not only dangerous but near impossible with lockdown measures.

“The initial start of lockdown resulted in sex workers not being able to go out and make a living. Most of the work is done at night and with the curfew, I had to find another way to generate revenue,” said a sex worker.

Some sex performers are still finding the digital transition quite uncomfortable. For Mia, a stripper in German, she foresees a problem. Moving online means she would have to promote her content on her social media pages and that would expose her occupation to her family in Spain, who are unaware of what she actually does for a living.  While Edie, another stripper, struggles to see how to protect her creative contents from being illegally copied and shared somewhere else.

As adult entertainers continue to find ways to thrive, there is the likelihood that the growing interest in pornography might return to normal once the pandemic is over. However, the adoption of online subscription platforms by adult models might continue to grow.


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