Aylo
Aylo is a Canadian-owned international adult-entertainment and online pornography company operating major video platforms, production studios, and creator services.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Aylo is a Montreal-based international adult-entertainment company formerly known as MindGeek and, before that, Manwin. It owns or operates a large portfolio of online pornography platforms and adult-content studios, including Pornhub, YouPorn, RedTube, Tube8, Brazzers, Digital Playground, Reality Kings, Men.com, Sean Cody, and other specialized services. Its activities span user-uploaded video distribution, premium subscriptions, advertising, content production, licensing, affiliate marketing, mobile services, and creator monetization. The business developed from several connected ventures established during the 2000s. Mansef, a Canadian holding company associated with Stéphane Manos and Ouissam Youssef, operated adult websites and affiliate services, while Pornhub was launched in 2007 through the related Interhub structure. German entrepreneur Fabian Thylmann built a separate portfolio around NATS, an affiliate-tracking system, and acquired additional adult websites. In 2010, Thylmann acquired the assets of Mansef and Interhub and combined them under Manwin, beginning a rapid period of consolidation. Manwin expanded through acquisitions and partnerships. It bought or incorporated services such as YouPorn, Twistys, GayTube, SexTube, TrannyTube, Digital Playground, Reality Kings, and RedTube, while also managing online properties connected with Playboy, Wicked Pictures, and Really Useful Ltd. The group consequently controlled both production assets and major distribution channels. This vertical integration, together with the scale of the Pornhub Network, made the company one of the most prominent operators in online adult entertainment and led to criticism that it held excessive market power. In 2013, Thylmann sold his interest to senior management, including Feras Antoon and David Tassillo, and the company adopted the MindGeek name. During the MindGeek period, the group continued developing streaming, mobile, search, affiliate, and studio businesses. It also faced sustained criticism over content moderation, age verification, non-consensual imagery, and material connected to alleged sexual exploitation. In December 2020, Pornhub removed unverified videos after intensified public and institutional pressure. Ethical Capital Partners acquired MindGeek on March 16, 2023. The transaction followed leadership changes, including the departures of Antoon and Tassillo in 2022, and the release of a documentary examining controversies associated with Pornhub. In August 2023, the company announced the Aylo name, describing the change as a new phase focused on innovation, inclusion, trust, and safety. Under the Aylo identity, the group launched UViU, a creator-oriented service allowing direct sales, subscriptions, tips, and messaging. Aylo remains a private company with headquarters in Montreal and a multinational corporate structure involving entities in several jurisdictions. Its business has historically included companies and subsidiaries registered in Canada, the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and other locations. The company continues to operate a broad network of free and paid adult-content destinations, while its public profile is shaped both by its market reach and by legal, regulatory, and safeguarding obligations.
History
Aylo's corporate history originates in the consolidation of several adult-internet businesses during the 2000s. Mansef was established in 2004 by Concordia University graduates Stéphane Manos and Ouissam Youssef and became a holding structure for adult websites and affiliate operations. Pornhub was launched in 2007 through the related Interhub structure. During the same period, Fabian Thylmann developed NATS, an affiliate-tracking system used in adult internet marketing, and acquired additional websites. In March 2010, Thylmann acquired the assets of Mansef and Interhub and combined them under Manwin. The company pursued rapid expansion through acquisitions, partnerships, and the development of new websites. It acquired YouPorn in 2011 and expanded into specialist video services, including Twistys, GayTube, SexTube, and TrannyTube. It also entered arrangements involving Wicked Pictures and Playboy's online and entertainment operations. The acquisition program was financed partly through substantial debt and later external investment. Manwin continued its vertical expansion in 2012 by acquiring Digital Playground and completing a transaction involving Reality Kings. In 2013, the group acquired RedTube. The combination of production studios, subscription services, free tube sites, advertising channels, and affiliate infrastructure gave the company influence across much of the adult-content supply chain. Critics argued that ownership of several highly visited services created a concentration of market power. In October 2013, Thylmann sold his stake to senior management for a reported amount and the business changed its name to MindGeek. Under MindGeek, the company continued operating and expanding the Pornhub Network, which included Pornhub, RedTube, YouPorn, Tube8, GayTube, and other services. It also operated or owned studios such as Brazzers, Digital Playground, Reality Kings, Sean Cody, Men.com, Twistys, Mofos, and Babes.com, while managing selected third-party entertainment properties. The company developed mobile services, affiliate tools, search products, streaming distribution, and connected-device initiatives. It launched PornMD, a search service aggregating material from its network, and introduced interactive features showing search trends. MindGeek also entered distribution and television arrangements in Europe and accepted cryptocurrency payments for certain services. From the late 2010s onward, MindGeek faced growing legal and public scrutiny. Critics and plaintiffs alleged that its platforms hosted non-consensual pornography and child sexual-abuse material, and that moderation systems did not respond adequately to warnings. Litigation in the United States and Canada included claims relating to content associated with GirlsDoPorn and alleged exploitation of victims. In December 2020, Pornhub removed non-verified videos, a major change to its platform policies. Leadership changed in 2022 when chief executive Feras Antoon and chief operating officer David Tassillo resigned. On March 16, 2023, Ethical Capital Partners acquired MindGeek. In August of that year, the company announced that it would operate under the Aylo name, presenting the rebrand as a fresh start and emphasizing trust, safety, innovation, and inclusive adult content. Aylo subsequently launched UViU, a creator-focused platform intended to give performers and other creators additional direct monetization tools. Today, Aylo is a privately owned multinational adult-entertainment company headquartered in Montreal. Its corporate structure spans multiple jurisdictions, while its operating portfolio remains centered on online video, premium memberships, studio production, advertising, affiliate services, and creator platforms. The company remains commercially significant but operates under heightened expectations concerning consent, age assurance, content verification, privacy, and platform governance.
- 2023
Acquisition by Ethical Capital Partners
[1]Ethical Capital Partners acquired MindGeek.
- 2023
Aylo rebrand and UViU launch
[1]MindGeek adopted the Aylo name and launched UViU for creator monetization.
- 2020
Removal of unverified Pornhub videos
[1]Pornhub removed unverified videos amid intensified criticism of platform moderation.
- 2013
RedTube acquired and MindGeek name adopted
[1]The RedTube acquisition was followed by the transition from Manwin to MindGeek.
- 2012
Digital Playground and Reality Kings expansion
[1]The company expanded its studio holdings through Digital Playground and Reality Kings transactions.
- 2011
YouPorn acquired
[1]Manwin acquired YouPorn and broadened its network of major adult video platforms.
- 2010
Manwin formed
[1]The assets of Mansef and Interhub were combined under Manwin.
- 2007
Pornhub launched
[1]Pornhub was created through the Interhub structure associated with Mansef.
- 2004
Mansef established
[1]Mansef was formed as a holding company for adult websites and affiliate operations.
Products and positioning
A large-scale, vertically integrated adult-entertainment company combining global video distribution, premium content, studio production, advertising, and creator tools. Since the 2023 rebrand, Aylo has emphasized trust and safety, diverse content, and creator participation.
Online adult video network
Pornhub Network
A group of adult video-sharing and search services operated by Aylo. Its best-known properties include Pornhub, RedTube, YouPorn, Tube8, GayTube, and PornMD. The network combines free streaming, advertising, user uploads, search, traffic referrals, and premium services.
Adult video platform · 2007
Pornhub
Aylo's flagship adult video platform, combining user-uploaded and professionally produced content with advertising, premium access, creator tools, and international distribution. It has also been the principal focus of the company's content-moderation and safeguarding controversies.
Creator monetization platform · 2023
UViU
A creator-oriented service introduced in 2023 that enables direct content sales, subscriptions, tips, and messaging. It was designed to give creators more direct control over monetization and to connect with related Pornhub account tools.
Adult film studio and premium website
Brazzers
A major adult-production and subscription brand within Aylo's studio portfolio. It represents the company's professionally produced premium-content business alongside its free video platforms.
Adult film studio
Digital Playground
An American adult film studio acquired during the Manwin expansion period and retained as part of the group's professionally produced content portfolio.
Adult film studio and website
Reality Kings
A production and subscription brand brought into the group through a 2012 transaction. It has also been used in television and distribution initiatives in European markets.
Adult video platform
YouPorn
An adult video-sharing website acquired by Manwin in 2011 and operated within the broader Pornhub Network.
Adult video platform
RedTube
A major adult video-sharing website acquired by the group in 2013 and integrated into its global platform network.
Controversies
2023
GirlsDoPorn litigation and settlement
Aylo agreed to pay a $1.8 million fine plus additional compensation to GirlsDoPorn victims and accepted independent review of its content-moderation processes for three years.
2020
Non-consensual and exploitative content allegations
Pornhub and its parent company faced sustained criticism and litigation alleging that non-consensual pornography and child sexual-abuse material had been uploaded and insufficiently removed. Pornhub responded in December 2020 by removing non-verified videos.
Brand decisions
2023
Sale of MindGeek to Ethical Capital PartnersM&ABackground
The transaction occurred after executive departures and during heightened attention to controversies surrounding Pornhub and MindGeek.
Action taken
Ethical Capital Partners acquired the privately held company.
Aftermath
The ownership change was followed by a corporate rebrand and a stated emphasis on trust, safety, innovation, and inclusion.
2023
Rebrand from MindGeek to AyloStrategyBackground
The company said it wanted a fresh identity after years of controversy and organizational change.
Action taken
MindGeek adopted the Aylo name and presented trust, safety, diverse content, and innovation as strategic priorities.
Aftermath
The rebrand established the current corporate identity and accompanied the launch of additional creator-focused services.
2023
Launch of UViUProduct launchBackground
Aylo sought to diversify its business beyond advertising and platform traffic by giving creators more direct monetization options.
Action taken
The company launched UViU with tools for content sales, subscriptions, tips, and direct messages.
Aftermath
UViU extended Aylo's creator-economy offering and was integrated conceptually with the wider Pornhub account ecosystem.
2020
Removal of unverified user-uploaded videosStrategyBackground
The decision followed criticism and legal claims concerning non-consensual pornography, exploitation, and the difficulty of verifying uploaded material.
Action taken
Pornhub removed non-verified videos from its platform and tightened the conditions governing uploads.
Aftermath
The measure represented a major shift in platform governance, although scrutiny of moderation and safeguarding continued.
Recent events
Clips4Sale and MindGeek partnership set to end[2]
Reported:
Clips4Sale's current partnership with MindGeek was announced to end at the close of 2021; the article describes this as a future plan, not a completed termination.
Sources2 sources
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