A cornerstone of the online adult entertainment industry, premium membership subscription sites, aka paysites, have made literal fortunes for both owners and affiliates alike over the past decades.
Although many adult paysites have stagnated since the global recession of the late 2000s, due both to the economic downturn and to a devaluation of content in the face of free fare and rampant piracy, other sites have persisted in swimming against the tide — by being adaptive, creative and fluid in their evolution in order to retain favor with consumers.
CherryPimps’ Jack Avalanche told XBIZ that the current state of the adult paysite market is not only very strong these days, but growing.
“We see today’s customer[as being] even more committed to our brands, as they see the commitment we have to them,” Avalanche explains. “Our core audience isn’t the user looking for free porn — it is the user looking for a quality product that delivers day after day, week after week.”
This commitment to consistency is one of the factors that separates successful paysite operators from the “also rans,” and reflects the market’s maturity. Another reflection of that maturity is seen in how popular paysites (at least those that are not run on autopilot) are embracing today’s mobile and socially active audiences — and doing so not as a nicety, but as a necessity.
Gamma Entertainment Sales Director Joel Drapeau says that the paysite market has reached maturity, at least on the desktop side — while mobile traffic continues to grow in both importance and volume, driving adaptation and innovation for today’s professional operators.
“It remains a challenge to convert and generate [mobile] revenues on the same level as on the desktop,” Drapeau explains, noting that “As a whole, there are less players, and the ones remaining are bigger and more structured than those of five or six years ago.”
Drapeau told XBIZ that the general quality of adult content has increased over the years, with advances such as high resolution and now 4K video, good lighting, story driven plots, and more.
“We are less and less into the ‘amateur with a video recorder,’” Drapeau says, “and more into full fledged productions.”
As for today’s paysite trends, Avalanche sees quality presentations as separating the good from the bad.
“The trend toward increased and enhanced engagement, higher quality and better delivery is continuing strongly,” Avalanche explains. “You have to be ready to evolve your product to make your users happy, or they’ll find someone who will.”
One major trend affecting paysites today is the increasing sophistication of affiliates, who are employing new techniques and tools to obtain greater success in driving targeted traffic and in generating revenues for themselves and for their sponsoring paysites.
John Mauser, Too Much Media’s director of sales and marketing, told XBIZ that he does not expect any significant changes in adult affiliate marketing through 2016.
“In order to be successful in affiliate marketing you need to gather as much data as necessary to make educated business decisions,” Mauser explains.
“Gone are the days of just throwing things on the net and converting.”
“The process always remains the same for affiliates,” Mauser adds. “Find products that people want, and provide the necessary information and direction to introduce them to the products so they convert into a sale — so little has changed for affiliates in that regard.”
Mauser says that for paysite programs or businesses in general, having the ability to gather actionable data and knowing how to utilize it is a key to success.
“We have seen many companies move towards more centralized platform solutions, such as our NATS and NATS for Networks platforms, to consolidate, track, and analyze this data while managing their network in a unified solution. Each solution provides various features, but the emphasis has always been about the data,” Mauser concludes, asking “If you don’t have the data, how can you productively increase your business?”
On the subject of what the future may hold, consolidation and refinement are key factors going forward.
“I think we will see more and more mergers and acquisitions and, unfortunately, less of the smaller mom-and-pop sites,” Drapeau predicts. “Bigger programs have the ability and staff to monetize every aspect of their websites and to optimize their traffic. This might be a challenge for smaller companies as they have to choose based on priorities that make the most revenues.”
“We see the future dominated by the sites that are run with the understanding that the users are king,” Avalanche concludes, bringing the conversation full circle.
While the paysite market has changed dramatically and continues to evolve, proclamations of its death are premature, with serious operators and affiliates still making serious profits, while consumers benefit from better, more engaging porn — a trend that will likely continue for the foreseeable future.
Paysite Market Not Only Strong But Growing

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
WIA Profile: Lainie Speiser
With her fiery red hair, thick-framed glasses and a laugh that practically hugs you, Lainie Speiser is impossible to miss. Having repped some of adult’s biggest stars during her 30-plus years in the business, the veteran publicist is also a treasure trove of tales dating back to the days when print was king and social media not even a glimmer in the industry’s eye.
Fighting Back Against AI-Fueled Fake Takedown Notices
The digital landscape is increasingly being shaped by artificial intelligence, and while AI offers immense potential, it’s also being weaponized. One disturbing trend that directly impacts adult businesses is AI-powered “DMCA takedown services” generating a flood of fraudulent Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notices.
Building Seamless Checkout Flows for High-Risk Merchants
For high-risk merchants such as adult businesses, crypto payments are no longer just a backup plan — they’re fast becoming a first choice. More and more businesses are embracing Bitcoin and other digital currencies for consumer transactions.
What the New SCOTUS Ruling Means for AV Laws and Free Speech
On June 27, 2025, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, upholding Texas’ age verification law in the face of a constitutional challenge and setting a new precedent that bolsters similar laws around the country.
What You Need to Know Before Relocating Your Adult Business Abroad
Over the last several months, a noticeable trend has emerged: several of our U.S.-based merchants have decided to “pick up shop” and relocate to European countries. On the surface, this sounds idyllic. I imagine some of my favorite clients sipping coffee or wine at sidewalk cafés, embracing a slower pace of life.
WIA Profile: Salima
When Salima first entered the adult space in her mid-20s, becoming a power player wasn’t even on her radar. She was simply looking to learn. Over the years, however, her instinct for strategy, trust in her teams and commitment to creator-first innovation led her from the trade show floor to the executive suite.
How the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act Could Impact Adult Businesses
Congress is considering a bill that would change the well-settled definition of obscenity and create extensive new risks for the adult industry. The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, makes a mockery of the First Amendment and should be roundly rejected.
What US Sites Need to Know About UK's Online Safety Act
In a high-risk space like the adult industry, overlooking or ignoring ever-changing rules and regulations can cost you dearly. In the United Kingdom, significant change has now arrived in the form of the Online Safety Act — and failure to comply with its requirements could cost merchants millions of dollars in fines.
Understanding the MATCH List and How to Avoid Getting Blacklisted
Business is booming, sales are steady and your customer base is growing. Everything seems to be running smoothly — until suddenly, Stripe pulls the plug. With one cold, automated email, your payment processing is shut down. No warning, no explanation.
WIA Profile: Leah Koons
If you’ve been to an industry event lately, odds are you’ve heard Leah Koons even before you’ve seen her. As Fansly’s director of marketing, Koons helps steer one of the fastest-growing creator platforms on the web.