Why Do I Need an Age Verification Popup on My Website?

Websites that sell or promote age-restricted products—such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or adult content—must comply with regulations requiring businesses to verify a visitor’s age before granting access. This protects minors and limits legal liability.

An age verification popup, also known as an age gate, acts as a first line of defense by requiring users to self-declare their date of birth. While it does not replace robust age-checking methods where legally mandated (such as ID validation), it demonstrates a brand’s good-faith effort to restrict access and follow applicable laws.

Failing to include one can result in legal penalties, especially in regulated markets like the United States, Canada, Australia, or the EU.

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Is an Age Verification Popup Legally Required?

Yes, in many countries, websites promoting age-restricted products are required to implement an age verification system to prevent access by minors. Expand to learn how different industries and countries apply these rules.