What US Searched On Election Day? Pornhub Releases Data
Pornhub, one of the largest and most popular adult entertainment websites globally, offers a wide array of explicit videos and user-uploaded content in various genres. Launched in 2007, the adult content website became part of the MindGeek network, a group that owns several other adult content platforms. Pornhub is known for both its extensive library and unique data analytics, which it publishes annually and on specific events, revealing insights into user behaviour and trends. As of the recent rankings, Pornhub consistently ranks within the top 20 to 30 most-visited websites in the United States, according to web traffic data from sites like SimilarWeb and Alexa. These rankings place it in competition with some of the most highly trafficked non-adult websites, illustrating its significant reach and popularity. US election day seemed to take on a whole new meaning in the United States as Pornhub reported a surge in adult entertainment searches, indicating that voters were taking a brief respite from political tensions.
On 5 November, the day Americans headed to the polls, Pornhub traffic spiked by an average of 7% nationwide among states with access to the site. The data, shared by Pornhub, reveals that both blue and red state residents turned to the site to cope with election anxiety, with a notable peak in viewership between 8 and 9 a.m.
Pornhub website US election day data
Interestingly, not all states were represented in this surge: Pornhub remains blocked in 14 states, including Alabama, Texas, and Utah, so data from these states was not included. Among those states with access, South Carolina led the way with a 21% increase in traffic above the daily average, earning it the unofficial title of the “horniest state.” Close behind, the District of Columbia saw an 18% rise in traffic, though this trend sharply reversed as the evening wore on and viewers turned their attention to election results. Between 6 p.m. and midnight, D.C. recorded a 21% drop in site visits, suggesting many locals chose to focus on political coverage rather than porn.
Pornhub website US election day searches data
Similar patterns emerged during September’s presidential debate, where Pornhub’s viewership declined sharply as former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris went head-to-head. Traffic dropped by 23.5% just after the debate began, though it rebounded slightly during commercial breaks.
Pornhub website US election debate data
Whether looking to unwind pre-vote or avoid the heated political atmosphere, Election Day 2024 proved that Americans found some common ground – if only briefly – in a shared escape from the electoral fray.
