trends

Adult Around the World

In his bestselling book,"The World is Flat," Thomas L. Friedman argued that globalization has resulted in a level playing field in terms of commerce, where all competitors have equal opportunity in a global market where historical and geographical divisions are becoming increasingly irrelevant.

This holds particular true to those of us engaged in the online adult space. Thanks to the universal reach of the web, we all have access to a global audience. And what is more, the allure of pornography has universal appeal, too.

But whilst the whole world might dig porn, it is important to remember that each territory demonstrates a propensity to its own particular niche: the U.S. might get off to L.A.-produced factory porn, but the rest of the world does not necessarily share the same appetite for such material.

For example, the Brits tend to prefer edgier, less glossy porn and are partial to 'dogging' — a euphemism for engaging in sexual acts in semi-public places such as a secluded car park, or watching others doing the same.

As for the Germans, they tend to be partial for all things fetish; with extreme niches such as watersports selling particularly well there. And, unlike the Brits, they have a very open and tolerant attitude to nudity generally, with mixed-sex spas and swimming venues being the norm there.

If anything, Germany's neighbor Austria demonstrates an even more voracious appetite for all things fetish, with hardcore material having been freely available at newsstands long before the advent of the Internet.

Gay material seems to convert particularly well in Arabic-speaking markets, not least since being homosexual is considered a crime in such countries. Somewhat hypocritical really, when you consider that Persian kings used to pleasure themselves with boys half their age there. The result? Gay Arabs have little choice other than to go online to satiate their carnal desires, as our Alexa ranking in such countries bears witness: Phone billing works well there, thanks to a combination of low credit card penetration and the level of anonymity that phone billing offers such surfers.

Interracial porn seems to convert well on traffic from African countries, whose Internet penetration is miniscule when compared to the rest of the world and therefore represents a huge growth opportunity as we look forward to the future.

If you are already selling any of the niches alluded to and want to increase your bottom line, just remember to communicate with prospective customers in their own native language. Whilst the pics and vids we peddle transcend national boundaries and need no translation per se, when it comes to the important bit — paying you — pitch your prospects in a language they understand: theirs!

Also bear in mind that most of the world does not have credit or debit cards, so you should consider making alternative billing such as ours your primary, not secondary, processing mechanism in conjunction with traffic from such countries.

Doing so will allow you to make more money in the flat 'always on' interconnected world in which we all now live.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Lexi Morin

Lexi Morin’s journey into the adult industry began with a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith. In 2011, fresh-faced and ambitious, she was scrolling through job ads on Craigslist when she stumbled upon a listing for an assistant makeup artist.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Still Rocking: The Hun Celebrates 30 Years in the Game

In the ever-changing landscape of adult entertainment, The Hun’s Yellow Pages stands out for its endurance. As one of the internet’s original fixtures, literally nearly as old as the web itself, The Hun has functioned as a living archive for online adult content, quietly maintaining its relevance with an interface that feels more nostalgic than flashy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Digital Desires: AI's Emerging Role in Adult Entertainment

The adult industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology. From the early days of dial-up internet and grainy video clips to today’s polished social media platforms and streaming services, our industry has never been afraid to innovate. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in ways that are exciting but also daunting.

Steve Lightspeed ·
opinion

More Than Money: Why Donating Time Matters for Nonprofits

The adult industry faces constant legal battles, societal stigma and workplace challenges. Fortunately, a number of nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to protect the rights and well-being of adult performers, producers and industry workers. When folks in the industry think about supporting these groups, donating money is naturally the first solution that comes to mind.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Consent Guardrails: How to Protect Your Content Platform

The adult industry takes a strong and definite stance against the creation or publication of nonconsensual materials. Adult industry creators, producers, processors, banks and hosts all share a vested interest in ensuring that the recording and publication of sexually explicit content is supported by informed consent.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

Payment Systems: Facilitator vs. Gateway Explained

Understanding and selecting the right payment platform can be confusing for anyone. Recently, Segpay launched its payment gateway. Since then, we’ve received numerous questions about the difference between a payment facilitator and a payment gateway. Most merchants want to know which type of platform best meets their business needs.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Reinventing Intimacy: A Look at AI's Implications for Adult Platforms

The adult industry has long revolved around delivering pleasure and entertainment, but now it’s moving into new territory: intimacy, connection and emotional fulfillment. And AI companions are at the forefront of that shift.

Daniel Keating ·
profile

WIA: Sara Edwards on Evolving Clip Culture and Creator Empowerment

Though she works behind the scenes, Sara Edwards has had a front-row seat to the evolution of adult content creation. Having been immersed in the sector since 1995, she has a unique perspective on the industry.

Jackie Backman ·
profile

Segpay Marks 20 Years of High-Risk Triumphs

Payment processors are behind-the-scenes players in the world of ecommerce, yet their role is critical. Ensuring secure, seamless transactions while navigating a rapidly changing regulatory landscape requires both technological expertise and business acumen.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

The SCREEN Test: How to Prepare for Federal Age Verification

For those who are counting, there are now 20 enacted state laws in the United States requiring age verification for viewing online adult content, plus numerous proposed laws in the works. This ongoing barrage has been exhausting for many in the adult industry — and it may be about to escalate in the form of a potential new AV law, this time at the federal level.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
Show More