In a surprising shift in British sexual appetites, the humble kiss is experiencing a remarkable resurgence as a standalone fetish. New data reveals that searches for kissing-related content on adult platforms have skyrocketed, with the term 'kissing fetish' seeing a dramatic 67% increase over the past two years on marketplace Clips4Sale.
The Anatomy of a Modern Snog
Contemporary kissing preferences have evolved beyond traditional pecks, with Brits increasingly seeking what might be described as 'sloppy' or 'wet' encounters. Search terms indicate a growing fascination with 'smokey' kisses, 'erotic' embraces, and even 'SFW (safe for work)' variations that maintain a more restrained intimacy.
Online communities have become hotbeds for this discussion, with Reddit's dating forums featuring enthusiastic endorsements of what users describe as 'sloppy and wet make-out sessions.' One contributor expressed their yearning for such encounters, while another celebrated 'spit swapping, tonsil wrestling, tongue tied make-out sessions' with evident enthusiasm.
Psychological Roots of Kissing Fascination
Sex therapist Courtney Boyer explains this phenomenon through psychological and physiological lenses. "Kissing sits right at the intersection of emotional intimacy and physical arousal," she notes. "The lips are packed with nerve endings, so even light contact can send strong sensory signals through the body."
Boyer emphasises how multiple sensory elements combine to create powerful erotic triggers: "Throw in eye contact, anticipation, scent, and emotional connection, and it becomes a powerful erotic trigger. This is often more psychologically charged than overt sexual touch."
The appeal of particularly wet kissing styles, sometimes humorously described as 'washing-machine' technique, relates to auditory elements according to experts. "Sound and sensation amplify arousal," Boyer explains. "Wet kissing noises can heighten realism, and signal a mutual desire and immersion in the moment."
From Kissing to Spit-Play
The fascination with wet kissing naturally intersects with related practices like 'spit-play,' where partners consensually exchange saliva in more deliberate ways. This practice has gained visibility through mainstream media, including notable scenes in productions featuring actors like Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld.
Sex psychotherapist Gigi Engle contextualises this development within broader sexual dynamics: "By letting someone spit in your mouth, you're consensually submitting to the other person. It also ties into humiliation play. Some people will enjoy the degradation because spitting on someone is culturally demeaning, so during sex it has an erotic charge."
Engle notes that while spit-play might seem newly fashionable, it represents a longstanding element within certain relationship dynamics that's simply receiving increased media attention and public curiosity.
The Spectrum of Kissing Preferences
Interestingly, the kissing fetish spectrum accommodates diverse preferences, from intense encounters to gentler expressions. The popularity of 'SFW' search terms indicates substantial interest in more restrained, emotionally grounded kissing that prioritises connection over explicitness.
"Despite an increase among the younger generation in more aggressive acts like choking, there is also a growing appetite for softer intimacy," observes Boyer. "Kissing that feels affectionate, slow, and emotionally grounded rather than overtly sexual. In times of stress or digital overload, people often crave comfort, safety, and nostalgia."
Gender Dynamics and Cultural Shifts
While kissing fetishism spans all genders, research suggests women may be particularly drawn to eroticising kissing due to stronger associations between arousal and emotional connection. However, experts emphasise that men share this fascination, especially when kissing represents mutual desire or romantic conquest.
Relationship professionals highlight kissing's unique intimacy, with some therapists considering it "an incredibly intimate act, sometimes more so than sex" - a perspective famously illustrated in cinematic portrayals like Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman establishing a 'no kissing' rule.
Post-Pandemic Psychology and Digital Culture
The dramatic increase in kissing fetish interest over the past two years connects to broader societal shifts. Experts point to pandemic-related isolation as a significant factor: "Periods of isolation heightened our awareness of touch deprivation," explains Boyer. "Kissing, intimate but accessible, became symbolic of reconnection."
Simultaneously, dating culture has been recalibrating toward "slower, more intentional intimacy," while digital platforms have facilitated niche content discovery. "Particularly, it's the growth of searchable, niche content over the past decade," Boyer notes. "As people realise their specific turn-ons are shared by others, interest and visibility increases."
This convergence of psychological need, cultural recalibration, and digital accessibility has transformed kissing from a romantic prelude to a central focus of sexual exploration for growing numbers of Brits seeking meaningful connection in an increasingly disconnected world.
