Internet, Social Issues Hurt Adult Magazines, Study Says

NEW YORK — The Internet continues to be the bane of the print magazine’s existence, at least in the adult space, according to numbers published this week in the National Directory of Magazines (NRM), put out by Oxbridge Communications.

However, changes in the social environment and global politics also may be responsible for the decline.

With nearly 19,000 business and consumer publications listed in its directory, the NRM chronicled the decline of adult publications in 1995 from 142 to 90, largely the result of the increased availability of pornography on the Internet.

However, online smut may not be the only reason for the decline of adult print publications, according to representatives at the NRM. Additionally, social issues may also have effected the change, especially the psychological reverberations from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which NRM Editorial Director Deborah Striplin said boosted the popularity of publications that provide more “wholesome” content.

“We have seen a tremendous growth in 'home and hearth' publications [since] the impact of 9/11,” said Striplin. “The religion category, which had been on a steep decline since 1995, also began picking up after 9/11.”

Lifestyle magazines also experienced significant growth during this period, growing from 273 ten years ago to 364 publications in 2005. At the same time, wedding publications nearly tripled from 37 to 102, and travel magazines expanded from 525 to 600 over the same time frame.

The biggest drop came in the general interest category, with magazines in this market falling from 204 in 1995 to just 46 today. Striplin said the drop is likely due to an increase in “highly targeted” publications that focus on increasingly narrow markets such as “Aviation for Women.”

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 News

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Report: VPN Downloads Soar in UK Following Age Verification Deadline

Virtual private network apps, which can be used to circumvent geo-specific age verification requirements, are topping Apple App Store downloads in the U.K. in the wake of new Online Safety Act rules, the BBC is reporting.

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

Show More