# Selling sex: what determines rates and popularity? An analysis of 11,500 online profiles

**Authors:** Alicia Mergenthaler, Taha Yasseri  
**arXiv:** [2006.15648](https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.15648)  
**Date:** 2020-06-28  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2006.15648v3/

## Key points

- Sex work is the exchange of sexual services for money or goods
- Due to stigma and legal status, sex work is often hidden from public view
- Researchers have turned to online platforms used by sex workers to gain insights into this concealed market
- Previous studies have focused on public health and policy aspects, but there is a lack of empirical research on patterns of service provision in online sex work
- This study aims to investigate the determinants of pricing and popularity in the market for commercial sexual services online
- Data from the largest UK network of online sexual services was analyzed, examining over 11,500 profiles
- Factors such as gender, nationality, age, and types of services provided impact pricing and popularity differently
- These factors are identified as primary drivers shaping the dynamics of the sex work market
- The study contributes to a better understanding of how pricing and popularity are influenced in online sex work
- Gender, nationality, age, and service offerings play significant roles in shaping rates and popularity within the commercial sexual services industry

## Summary

Sex work, the exchange of sexual services for money or goods, has been prevalent throughout history and across different cultures. However, due to stigma and varying legal status, the practice of selling sex is often hidden from public view. To gain insights into this largely concealed market, researchers have turned to online platforms that sex workers use to advertise their services. While previous studies have primarily focused on the public health and policy aspects of sex work, particularly concerning female sex workers, there is a lack of empirical research on patterns of service provision in online sex work. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the determinants of pricing and popularity in the market for commercial sexual services online. The researchers analyzed data from the largest UK network of online sexual services, which serves as an industry-standard platform for sex workers. By examining over 11,500 online profiles, the study identifies key factors that influence rates and popularity in sex work. The findings reveal that various factors impact pricing and popularity differently based on gender, nationality, age, and types of services provided. These factors are identified as primary drivers shaping the dynamics of the sex work market. By shedding light on these determinants, this study contributes to a better understanding of how pricing and popularity are influenced in online sex work. Overall, this research highlights the importance of studying online platforms used by sex workers to gain insights into a hidden market. It emphasizes that factors such as gender, nationality, age, and service offerings play significant roles in shaping rates and popularity within the commercial sexual services industry.