Each year, Pornhub releases its annual “Year in Review”, offering a fascinating look into global adult content search trends. The 2024 report contained an unexpected finding: New York had the highest relative searches for the term “Turkish” compared to any other U.S. state.
While one might assume this is due to New York’s large Turkish community, the numbers tell a different story. Turks make up only 0.18% of New York’s population, far too small to single-handedly drive such a spike in searches.
So, why is New York leading the U.S. in searches for “Turkish” content? Could it be VPN usage, global media influence, or something else entirely? This article explores the possible explanations behind this unusual trend.
The Data – How Big is This Trend?
According to Pornhub’s 2024 Year in Review, New York topped the charts for relative searches of the term “Turkish” in the United States. This means that “Turkish” was searched in New York at a higher rate compared to other states. (Pornhub Insights)
Breaking Down the Numbers
- New York had the highest relative interest in “Turkish” porn compared to other U.S. states.
- Other states also showed regional preferences, such as New Jersey ranking high for “Iranian” searches, likely due to its Iranian-American population. (The Sun)
- This does not mean “Turkish” was the #1 search overall in New York, but rather that it stood out compared to national trends.
This raises the question: why is “Turkish” trending so strongly in New York?
Reason #1 – The Turkish Population in New York
A logical assumption for why New York leads in searches for “Turkish” content might be the size of its Turkish community. New York has the largest Turkish population in the U.S., but does that explain the trend?
The Numbers Don’t Add Up
- According to U.S. Census data, Turks make up only 0.18% of New York’s population—a tiny fraction of the state’s nearly 20 million residents. (Census Data)
- While New York is home to the largest Turkish diaspora in the country, it does not have a significant enough Turkish community to solely account for the surge in searches.
If the search trend were purely driven by demographics, we would expect to see similarly high search rates in states like New Jersey or California, which also have large Turkish populations. However, this is not the case.
So, if it’s not just Turkish residents in New York driving these numbers, what else could be influencing the data?
Reason #2 – VPN Usage & Global Influence
Another explanation for the trend could be VPN (Virtual Private Network) usage. Many people around the world use VPNs to mask their location, and one of the most common server locations is New York.
Could VPNs Be Skewing the Data?
- When users connect to a VPN based in New York, their searches are logged as if they are coming from New York, even if they are physically in Turkey or another country.
- Turkey has banned access to Pornhub, meaning Turkish users must rely on VPNs to browse the site.
- If a significant number of Turkish users are connecting through New York VPNs, this could artificially inflate the relative search interest for “Turkish” content in New York. (VPN Trends Report)
However, VPN influence alone doesn’t fully explain the trend. If Turkish VPN users were entirely responsible, we would expect similar spikes in states with other popular VPN hubs, like California or Texas—yet New York remains the clear leader.
Could there be another cultural influence driving curiosity about Turkish content?
Reason #3 – The Impact of Turkish TV & Media
One of the most likely reasons for the rise in searches for “Turkish” content is the global influence of Turkish TV series and films. In recent years, Turkish dramas have gained massive international popularity, particularly in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. However, their influence is also growing in the U.S.—especially in New York.
Turkish Dramas: A Global Phenomenon
- Turkish series like Magnificent Century (Muhteşem Yüzyıl) and Diriliş: Ertuğrul have attracted millions of international viewers.
- Turkish stars such as Can Yaman and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu have developed a huge Western fan base, with Can Yaman’s recent series, El Turco, creating buzz at international media events. (The Sun)
- New York, as a diverse and cosmopolitan city, has been one of the biggest markets for foreign TV content.
From TV Screens to Search Bars?
- Parasocial curiosity: Viewers who develop an interest in Turkish celebrities may extend their curiosity beyond mainstream entertainment—leading to an increase in searches for Turkish-related content, including on adult websites.
- This phenomenon has been seen before:
- In 2022, searches for “Iranian” spiked in New Jersey, which has a large Iranian-American community.
- Searches for “Colombian” surged in Miami, where Colombian pop culture is influential.
- The fact that Turkish media has become more visible in Western markets may be fueling searches out of curiosity rather than cultural connection.
A Media-Driven Obsession?
While Turkish TV shows and celebrities may not be the only reason for the search trend, they likely play a key role in making Turkish-related content more prominent in the minds of New Yorkers.
So, with Turkish population numbers too small to explain the trend, VPNs only offering a partial answer, and Turkish media reaching global audiences, the final question remains:
Which of these factors do you think is the strongest driver?
References & Further Reading
- Pornhub 2024 Year in Review – Pornhub Insights
- U.S. Census Data – Turkish Population in New York
- VPN Trends Report – Top 10 VPN
- The Sun – Pornhub Reveals Searches for ‘Turkish’ Surged While Ekin-Su Was on Love Island
- Balkan Insight – Turkish Media’s Global Popularity
- Can Yaman’s El Turco Series & International Buzz – Variety
