Pornhub Overview
Key Facts
- Type: Internet pornography video-sharing website
- Owner: Aylo
- Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
- Founder: Matt Keezer
- Launched: 25 May 2007
- Languages Available: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Dutch, Czech, Simplified Chinese
- Services: View and upload pornographic videos
- Registration: Optional
- Advertising: Yes
- Current Status: Online
History
- Launch: 25 May 2007 by Matt Keezer
- Ownership Changes: Acquired by Fabian Thylmann in 2010, sold to Feras Antoon and David Tassillo in 2013
- Significant Events:
- Pornhub Select & PornIQ Service (2013): Introduced for content curation using algorithms
- Pornographic Film in Space (2015): Announced plan for a film titled "Sexplorations"
- Online Casino (2016): Launched
- AI & Cryptocurrency (2017-2018): AI for tagging videos, started accepting Verge cryptocurrency
Controversies and Legal Issues
- Non-consensual Content:
- Reports of child pornography, revenge porn, and rape pornography
- Criticism for slow responses and inadequate measures
- Response Measures: Use of Vobile to remove banned videos, online form for reporting non-consensual content
- Payment Processor Actions (2020): Mastercard and Visa ceased services following allegations of non-consensual content
- Content Reduction: Removed videos by unverified users, decreasing total from 13 million to 4 million
- Legal Actions: Sued and criticized for hosting non-consensual content, various lawsuits ongoing
- Documentary: "Money Shot: The Pornhub Story" (2023) covers controversy
Non-Pornographic Content and Cultural Impact
- Non-pornographic Uploads: Users upload non-pornographic content like Hollywood movies as memes or for monetization
- Cultural References: Appeared in media like "Don Jon," and the Pornhub jingle has become a cultural meme
Philanthropy
- Breast Cancer Awareness: Hosted campaigns like "Boob Bus" and "Save the Boobs!" to raise awareness and funds
Awards
- Pornhub Awards: Held annually since 2018 with notable directors and creative contributions
Search Trends and Insights
- Trending Topics: Website releases regular insights on search trends, top search terms, and user demographics
- COVID-19 Impact: Increase in search traffic during the pandemic
Technical and Security Issues
- Malvertising Incidents (2013, 2017): Reports of malware from ads on the site
- VR and Wearable Tech: Features VR videos and announced the "Wankband" for energy generation during masturbation
- VPNHub: Launched in 2018 for secure browsing
Global Access and Legal Restrictions
- Bans and Blocks: Various countries have blocked access due to legal or moral reasons, including China, Russia, and the Philippines
- Age Verification Laws: Recent legal actions in US states requiring age verification, leading to site access blocks in several states
Conclusion
Pornhub remains one of the most visited adult websites globally, facing ongoing challenges related to content moderation, legal scrutiny, and cultural impact. Its attempts to innovate with technology and philanthropy highlight its complex role in the digital and adult entertainment landscapes.