tv on a stand sowing Disney+ on screen,
Koozai > Blog > Subscription fatigue is showing up in search data

Subscription fatigue is showing up in search data

| 2 minutes to read

At Koozai, we keep a close eye on search behaviour because it’s often the earliest signal that people are changing what they buy, cancel, or avoid. One trend that’s becoming hard to ignore is the growing interest in cancelling major subscription and streaming services.

Using Google Trends, we reviewed UK search interest over time for cancellation-related terms across five big services: Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+, NOW TV and Sky. Google Trends doesn’t give absolute search volumes, but it does show relative interest (indexed from 0 to 100), which is ideal for spotting shifts in consumer intent.

Bar chart showing UK Google Trends interest in searches for cancelling streaming subscriptions. Amazon Prime and Netflix show consistently high interest, while Disney+, NOW TV and Sky have much higher recent peaks compared with lower typical interest levels.
Searches for cancelling streaming services surge for some platforms

What the Google Trends screenshots show

Two services show consistently high cancellation interest over time: Amazon Prime and Netflix. That’s not necessarily a sign of mass cancellations on its own. Bigger customer bases tend to create more “how do I cancel?” searches simply because more people have the service in the first place.

The more interesting pattern appears with Disney+, NOW TV and Sky, where the trend shows sharp spikes after long periods of relatively stable interest. Search behaviour like this usually suggests intent: people don’t tend to Google “cancel” unless they’re seriously considering it.

Cancel Amazon Prime

Google Trends screenshot showing UK search interest for 'cancel Amazon Prime' over time
Google Trends: UK search interest for “cancel Amazon Prime” (relative index).

Cancel Netflix

Google Trends screenshot showing UK search interest for 'cancel Netflix' over time
Google Trends: UK search interest for “cancel Netflix” (relative index).

Cancel Disney+

Google Trends screenshot showing UK search interest for 'cancel Disney+' over time
Google Trends: UK search interest for “cancel Disney+” (relative index).

Cancel NOW TV

Google Trends screenshot showing UK search interest for 'cancel NOW TV' over time
Google Trends: UK search interest for “cancel NOW TV” (relative index).

Cancel Sky

Google Trends screenshot showing UK search interest for 'cancel Sky' over time
Google Trends: UK search interest for “cancel Sky” (relative index).

The simple takeaway

Streaming isn’t disappearing. What’s changing is the tolerance for “subscription stacking” — paying for multiple services at once and not thinking too hard about it. These search patterns suggest people are becoming more selective about what stays and what goes.

That’s useful for marketers because search data doesn’t just reflect demand; it also reveals friction and value reassessment. Cancellation interest rising can be an early indicator that retention and perceived value are under pressure.

The table below summarises what the Trends screenshots show.

ServiceTypical interest (2021–2023)Recent peak interest (2025)Trend direction
Amazon PrimeHigh and steady (40–60)High (60–70)Steady, elevated
NetflixHigh and steady (50–70)High (70–80)Steady, elevated
Disney+Low to moderate (20–30)Sharp spike (90–100)Rising sharply
NOW TVLow (15–25)Sharp spike (90–100)Rising sharply
SkyModerate (30–45)Sharp spike (90–100)Rising sharply

What this means for digital and subscription brands

  • Intent is shifting: rising cancellation searches suggest people are actively reviewing what they’re paying for, not just grumbling about it.
  • Retention can’t rely on habit: “set and forget” is becoming “set and regularly audit”.
  • Value messaging matters: brands need to justify the monthly cost consistently, not only at sign-up.
  • Search is the early warning system: when people start searching for exits, it’s time to review onboarding, communications, and retention journeys.

Methodology

We reviewed Google Trends data for the United Kingdom using cancellation-related search terms for Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+, NOW TV and Sky. Google Trends reports relative interest on a 0–100 index rather than absolute search volumes, which makes it useful for identifying changes in intent over time.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sophie Roberts

Managing Director

As Managing Director at Koozai, Sophie Roberts keeps the agency on course, overseeing a diverse portfolio of clients. With a BA [Hons] in Marketing & PR and with more than 30 years of experience in marketing, Sophie has delivered impactful solutions for household names including Golden Wonder, Airfix & Humbrol, and Victorinox Swiss Army Knives. Since joining Koozai, she has continued this track record of excellence, guiding high-profile clients such as Travelbag, Trevor Sorbie, Red Funnel, and Côte Brasserie through digital strategies that have delivered measurable results. Her leadership style combines empathy and clarity, making even the most complex digital strategies accessible and actionable for clients and colleagues alike. Sophie’s career began in PR, where she quickly stood out by leading memorable, results-driven campaigns, notably the BBC’s “Service!” programme, which won a Catey Award for Best Independent Marketing Campaign and boosted engagement across the front-of-house profession. Her experience extends strongly into the hospitality sector, but she has also delivered innovative digital strategies for clients in construction and beyond. A passionate advocate for work-life balance and positive team culture, Sophie champions an environment where people thrive. A self-confessed foodie and proud geek, she treats every day like a school day, always eager to learn and improve. She has a particular interest in harnessing technology and AI to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and strategic innovation across marketing disciplines. Sophie’s insights and expertise have been featured in publications including The Business Magazine, Portsmouth News, The Daily Echo, Yahoo News, The Caterer, and HVP Magazine.

Sophie Roberts Read more about Sophie Roberts
aspect-ratio
SEO spelt out on a white background
Liam Fernie

Getting started in SEO without the sales pitch

Liam Fernie
24th Feb 2026
SEO Blog
aspect-ratio
Roast beef being sliced
Sophie Roberts

The Great British Sunday Roast Index

Sophie Roberts
@hospitalitysoph

aspect-ratio
Future Proofing SEO - Edge Birmingham - September 2013
Isobel Walster

20 Predictions for the Future of Digital Marketing

Isobel Walster
20th Feb 2026
aspect-ratio
Kelly-Anne Crean

Bing Webmaster Tools Launches AI Performance Reporting

Kelly-Anne Crean
13th Feb 2026
SEO Blog

Digital Ideas Monthly

Sign up now and get our free monthly email. It’s filled with our favourite pieces of the news from the industry, SEO, PPC, Social Media and more. And, don’t forget – it’s free, so why haven’t you signed up already?