Who makes it and how is it distributed? Pornography is typically sold or rented through stores and websites--just like any other genre of media. However, since one must be over 18 years old to buy it, it is often kept out of sight in an "adults only" room or restricted online by credit card and age verification. Mainstream distributors such as amazon.com sell erotic stories and sex guides that some people consider pornography. Businesses that specialize in pornography are known as the "sex industry."