The Most Popular Fetishes in the UK’s Cities and Boroughs – What’s Your Kink?
It’s 2024 – there’s no need to be embarrassed about your kinks, fetishes, and preferences in the bedroom any more. Many fetishes might seem unusual to most, but exploring them healthily can be an important part of one’s sexual development.
As long as everything’s safe and consensual, it’s perfectly normal to wonder (to quote Tinashe’s hit song “Nasty”): “Is somebody going to match my freak?”
Besides, it’s impossible to ignore that fetish and kink content is more accessible than ever. We’re approaching the ten-year anniversary of the release of the Fifty Shades of Grey film, which helped bring BDSM culture into the mainstream. And then there’s the internet – one quick Google search can broaden your entire sexual perspective.
We decided to have a closer look at what’s being searched across the United Kingdom, to uncover the various types of kinks and fetishes that people are Googling. The results offer a fascinating glimpse into the private lives of British bedrooms.
Key Findings
- The most popular fetish searches in the UK include “BDSM,” “furries,” and “pegging.”
- “Furries” is the most searched fetish in cities like Edinburgh and Liverpool, while “pegging” is especially popular in areas such as Birmingham and Plymouth.
- Larger cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol, have higher average monthly search volumes for fetish-related keywords, suggesting a more open attitude towards exploring non-traditional sexual interests.
- More adventurous fetishes like “erotic asphyxiation” and “cross-dressing” are prominent in London boroughs such as Wandsworth and the City of London, respectively.
Understanding the Fetishes
Hold on, what exactly do these terms mean? Here are some brief definitions of fetish terms that seem to be piquing the interest of folks across the UK:
- Anal Play: Sexual stimulation of the anus.
- BDSM: Sexual practices involving bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, and masochism.
- Bondage: Tying or restraining someone for sexual pleasure.
- Cross-Dressing: Wearing clothing traditionally associated with the opposite gender.
- Cuckolding: When a person derives pleasure from their partner engaging in sexual activity with someone else.
- Dominatrix: A woman who takes the dominant role in BDSM activities.
- Erotic Asphyxiation: Restricting oxygen for sexual arousal.
- Fisting: Inserting a hand or fist into the vagina or anus.
- Furries: People who enjoy dressing up in animal costumes, sometimes as part of a larger fandom.
- Pegging: When a woman penetrates a man anally with a strap-on dildo.
- Roleplay: Acting out specific scenarios or roles.
- Spanking: Striking the buttocks.
- Swinging: A lifestyle involving consensual sexual activities with partners outside the primary relationship.
- Voyeurism: Sexual arousal derived from watching others engage in intimate behaviours without their knowledge or consent.
A Look at the Most Searched Fetishes Across UK Cities
Across the United Kingdom, the most popular fetish searches certainly cover a broad spectrum. In particular, certain fetishes like “furries” and “pegging” appear more concentrated in specific regions. Could this mean that there are certain communities in the UK that are more open to these fetishes?
Birmingham: The UK’s Pegging Capital
Birmingham tops the list for “pegging” searches, with an astounding 21,050 average monthly searches. The high volume of searches suggests that Birmingham might be more accepting or curious about this particular kink.
Glasgow: Swinging in Scotland
The Scots have a reputation for enjoying a bit of banter, and it seems their bedroom preferences are no different. Glasgow stands out with 6,200 searches for “swinging,” making it the top city in Scotland for the swinging lifestyle.
Edinburgh and Liverpool: Embracing the Furries
Both Edinburgh and Liverpool lead the way in searches for “furries,” each with 15,650 monthly searches. The furry fandom, which involves dressing up in animal costumes, often with a sexual component, might seem niche, but these cities prove that it has a solid following in the UK.
Newcastle: Party Central with a Twist
We all know that just about anything goes in Newcastle. It’s no surprise then that the city has a significant interest in fetishes like “fisting,” with 5,300 searches.
Oxford and Cambridge: Posh but Kinky
With 1,250 searches for “fisting” in Oxford and 1,200 searches for “cuckolding” in Cambridge, these posh cities prove that behind the academic facade lies a curiosity for more unconventional sexual experiences.
A Map of Popular Fetishes in London Boroughs
London’s sheer size and diversity mean it’s home to a range of fetishes, with each area displaying its own distinct flavour of kink!
For instance, “cross-dressing” is most commonly searched in the City of London, the historic and financial heart of the capital. Meanwhile, “erotic asphyxiation” has a significant following in Wandsworth.
Who can ignore the appearance of cuckolding in the City of Westminster? We don’t know what they’re getting up to in the Houses of Parliament. However, we can say we’re not surprised “furries” is the top fetish in Islington. Those posh young professionals can’t don their fancy suits all the time, can they?
In the table below, you’ll find the full data used in this study, including the average monthly search volume for fetish keywords and the most searched fetish in UK cities and London boroughs.
Wrapping It Up (Literally)
Nearly everyone turns to the internet to learn more about themselves and the world around them. It’s only natural that we would extend that curiosity to sexual preferences and fetishes, especially since they are less openly discussed in other areas of life.
What’s most important is practising safe sex, communicating openly with your partner, and exploring your desires in a consensual and respectful manner.
Methodology
The data was sourced from Google Ads Keyword Planner, focusing on the average monthly search volume of popular terms related to fetishes across various UK cities and London boroughs from October 2023 to October 2024.
Disclaimer: The data assumes that search volume correlates directly with interest and does not account for individuals who may be searching out of curiosity rather than personal interest.
Fair Use
Looking to share this data or use the infographics? You’re welcome to use either for any non-commercial purposes. Please be sure to include a link citing this page.
