What Is The Complete History of Pornhub?
The complete history of Pornhub begins in 2007 when Montreal university students Matt Keezer, Ouissam Youssef, and Stephane Manos launched the site as a free video-sharing platform modelled on YouTube. German entrepreneur Fabian Thylmann acquired it in 2010, merging it into what became MindGeek. The company grew into the dominant force in online pornography, owning studios like Brazzers and competing sites like YouPorn and RedTube. After major controversies involving non-consensual content, MindGeek was sold to Ethical Capital Partners in 2023 and rebranded as Aylo.
Few websites have shaped internet culture as profoundly as Pornhub. What started as a university project by three Montreal students became the largest pornography platform in the world. This fundamentally changed how adult content is created, distributed, and consumed. The complete history of Pornhub is a story of disruptive technology, aggressive corporate expansion, and ongoing controversy that continues to this day. From its early days as a scrappy tube site competing with established studios to its current position under new ownership navigating regulatory scrutiny, Pornhub’s journey mirrors the broader evolution of the internet itself. Understanding this history provides insight into the adult industry’s transformation and the ongoing debates around consent, moderation, and the responsibilities of platforms that host user-generated content.
The Founding Years and Early Growth (2007–2010)
Pornhub launched on 25 May 2007 in Montreal, Canada. It was founded by web developer Matt Keezer alongside Concordia University students Ouissam Youssef and Stephane Manos. The trio had previously run directory websites linking to adult content, but YouTube’s explosive success inspired them to build their own video hosting platform. Within seven months, Pornhub reached one million daily visits, largely fuelled by pirated content that users could freely upload and watch. The site’s rapid growth disrupted the traditional adult entertainment industry, where studios relied on paying customers and DVD sales to generate revenue.
By 2008, the founders expanded beyond hosting by launching Brazzers, their own production studio. This vertical integration allowed them to create content while simultaneously dominating distribution. However, success brought scrutiny and paranoia. Rumours circulated about surveillance, and the government seized millions from their bank accounts. Matt Keezer eventually left amid the turmoil. By the end of the decade, Pornhub had become a household name in adult entertainment, setting the stage for an even more aggressive expansion under new ownership.
The MindGeek Era and Industry Dominance (2010–2020)
In March 2010, German entrepreneur Fabian Thylmann acquired Pornhub through his company Manwin. They reportedly paid around $140 million for multiple adult properties including YouPorn and RedTube. Thylmann implemented aggressive expansion strategies, buying up competitors and production studios while using search engine optimisation to ensure his sites dominated internet searches for adult content. The company rebranded as MindGeek in 2013 after Thylmann was arrested on tax evasion charges and forced to sell his stake for approximately $77 million. New leadership under Feras Antoon and David Tassillo continued the growth trajectory. By the mid-2010s MindGeek controlled an estimated three of the ten most popular pornography sites globally.
This dominance reshaped the entire adult industry. Independent studios struggled to compete against free tube sites hosting their pirated content, while performers found new opportunities through direct uploads and revenue sharing programs. Understanding how professional pornography production works highlights just how significantly Pornhub changed the landscape. The platform introduced features like Pornhub Premium in 2015, offering ad-free HD content for subscribers, and began accepting cryptocurrency in 2018. By 2019, mobile traffic accounted for over 76 percent of visits, and the site reported billions of video views annually.
Having worked behind the camera for over a decade, I watched the complete history of Pornhub unfold in real time. Studios I worked with went from thriving businesses to struggling operations almost overnight when tube sites made their content freely available. Some adapted by partnering directly with Pornhub, while others closed their doors entirely. Love it or hate it, the platform fundamentally rewrote the rules of how adult content reaches audiences.
Controversy, Criticism and Major Changes (2020–2023)
In December 2020, a New York Times exposé by Nicholas Kristof alleged that Pornhub hosted videos depicting child sexual abuse, rape, and sex trafficking victims. The article detailed cases of underage girls whose abuse footage remained on the platform despite repeated removal requests. The Netflix documentary Money Shot later explored these controversies in depth, examining both the platform’s failures and the broader debates around online content moderation. Within days of the exposé, Visa and Mastercard suspended payment processing for Pornhub, and the site took drastic action:
- Pornhub deleted over 10 million unverified videos, removing approximately 80 percent of its content library overnight.
- New policies required identity verification for all uploaders, ending anonymous uploads entirely.
- The platform introduced mandatory consent documentation for every person appearing in uploaded content.
- Multiple lawsuits were filed against MindGeek, including class actions seeking hundreds of millions in damages for trafficking victims.
- CEO Feras Antoon and COO David Tassillo resigned in 2022 amid ongoing pressure and investigations.
Where Pornhub Stands Today
In March 2023, Ottawa-based private equity firm Ethical Capital Partners acquired MindGeek, promising to focus on trust and safety while addressing the company’s troubled reputation. By August 2023, the company rebranded as Aylo, signalling what leadership called a fresh start built on innovation and responsible content moderation. The platform now employs extensive verification processes. This requires government-issued identification from all uploaders and consent documentation for everyone appearing in videos. Over 1,000 employees work at the Montreal headquarters, and Aylo maintains relationships with organisations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to combat illegal content.
Despite these changes, Pornhub continues to face legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny worldwide. Several US states have introduced age verification laws that prompted Pornhub to block access rather than comply, citing privacy concerns. The platform remains one of the most visited websites globally. It’s dominance has diminished as competitors emerged and performers migrated to subscription platforms like OnlyFans. For viewers, understanding how excessive pornography consumption affects sensitivity has become part of a broader cultural conversation the platform helped spark. The complete history of Pornhub is still being written, and its next chapter will depend heavily on how the industry navigates evolving regulations around consent, verification, and platform accountability.
Key Takeaways
- Pornhub launched in 2007 by Montreal students and reached one million daily visits within seven months.
- Fabian Thylmann acquired the site in 2010 and built MindGeek into the dominant force in online pornography.
- A 2020 New York Times exposé led to the removal of over 10 million unverified videos and new consent requirements.
- Ethical Capital Partners acquired MindGeek in 2023, rebranding the company as Aylo.
- The complete history of Pornhub reflects broader debates about platform responsibility, consent, and content moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Pornhub?
Pornhub was founded in 2007 by Montreal-based web developer Matt Keezer alongside Concordia University students Ouissam Youssef and Stephane Manos. The site was created under a company called Interhub.
When was Pornhub acquired by MindGeek?
German entrepreneur Fabian Thylmann acquired Pornhub in March 2010 through his company Manwin. Later rebranded as MindGeek in 2013 after Thylmann sold his stake following tax evasion charges.
Why did Pornhub delete millions of videos in 2020?
Following a New York Times exposé alleging the platform hosted non-consensual and underage content, Visa and Mastercard suspended payment processing. Pornhub responded by deleting over 10 million unverified videos and implementing strict verification requirements.
Who owns Pornhub now?
Pornhub is currently owned by Ethical Capital Partners, an Ottawa-based private equity firm that acquired parent company MindGeek in March 2023. The company rebranded as Aylo in August 2023.
Is Pornhub still one of the most popular websites?
Yes, Pornhub remains one of the most visited websites globally, reporting over 100 million daily visitors. However, its dominance has decreased as competitors emerged and many performers moved to subscription-based platforms.
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