How to Build an Age Verification Popup for Your Website in 2026

Need to verify visitor age before showing content? Whether it's alcohol, tobacco, adult content, or other restricted materials, I'll show you how to build a custom age verification popup in minutes - no coding required.

Age verification ensures compliance and demonstrates responsible business practices.

In this guide, I'll walk you through creating custom age verification widgets using AI. If you're new to building custom widgets, check out our complete guide on how to build custom widgets first.

Why Add Age Verification to Your Website?

Age verification widgets serve important purposes:

Legal Compliance: Many industries require age gates
Liability Protection: Document that you attempted verification
Brand Responsibility: Show you take restrictions seriously
Access Control: Protect restricted content from minors

Wineries, dispensaries, tobacco sites, and adult content platforms all need age verification. It's essential for responsible operations.

Building Your Custom Age Verification with Embeddable AI

Creating an age verification popup with Embeddable's AI is incredibly straightforward. No coding, no complex cookie logic - just describe what you want and the AI builds it.

Step 1: Start with Your Verification Concept

Before you begin, think about what your age gate needs:

Age Requirement: 18? 21? Varies by location?
Verification Method: Yes/No? Date of birth? ID?
After Verification: Remember choice? For how long?
Declined Access: What happens if underage?
Branding: Logo, imagery, messaging?

For our example, we're building a 21+ age verification popup for a wine website.

Step 2: Describe Your Age Verification to the AI

Open Embeddable and describe your age gate in natural language. Here's the exact prompt we'll use:

Build an age verification popup for a wine website. Ask "Are you 21 years of age or older?" with "Yes, I am 21+" and "No, I am under 21" buttons. Add a disclaimer about drinking responsibly. If they click No, show a message that they cannot access the site. If Yes, close the popup and remember their choice for 30 days.

That's it! The AI understands what you want and builds the complete age verification with:

Modal popup overlay
Clear age question
Yes/No buttons
Denial message for underage
Cookie storage for returning visitors

Age Verification Prompt Example

Step 3: Provide Your Website URL for Design Analysis

Here's where the magic happens. Give Embeddable your website URL, and the AI will:

Analyze your brand colors and apply them to the popup
Match your website's fonts and typography
Style the modal to feel native and on-brand
Ensure the age gate integrates seamlessly

The result? An age verification that looks like it was built by your design team, not a third-party widget.

Age Verification in Editor

Step 4: Refine Your Age Verification

Once the AI generates your popup, you can refine it through conversation:

"Add date of birth selector instead of Yes/No"
"Include brand logo at the top"
"Add checkbox for 'I agree to terms of service'"
"Show country selector for different age requirements"
"Make the background blur until verified"

Each change happens instantly. The preview updates in real-time so you can see exactly how your age gate will look and work.

You can also use Embeddable's visual editor to make adjustments yourself - change colors, adjust spacing, modify text, or tweak the layout.

Step 5: Test Your Age Verification

Before embedding, thoroughly test your popup:

Test Yes: Verify popup closes and site is accessible
Test No: Confirm denial message appears
Check Cookie: Clear cookies, verify popup reappears
Return Visit: Verify remembered choice works
Check Responsiveness: View on desktop, tablet, and mobile

The preview environment shows exactly how your age verification will appear on your website, so you can catch any issues before going live.

Embedding Your Age Verification on Any Website

Your custom age verification works everywhere. Once you're happy with it, you'll get a simple embed code that works on:

WordPress: Add to theme or specific pages
Shopify: Embed in theme for site-wide
Wix / Squarespace: Add to global footer
Custom websites: Add to any HTML page

The process is the same everywhere:

Get Your Embed Code: Click "Publish" and copy the code snippet
Paste Into Your Website: Add to site header or footer
Publish Your Page: The age gate goes live immediately

Your age verification automatically:

Blocks content until verified
Remembers returning visitors
Handles denial appropriately
Adapts to different screen sizes (mobile, tablet, desktop)
Updates instantly if you change requirements

Types of Age Verification You Can Build

The same process works for any age gate:

Yes/No Confirmation

Simple "Are you 21+?" with buttons. Easiest, minimal friction.

Date of Birth Entry

Visitor enters birthday. More intentional verification.

Country-Specific

Different ages for different regions.

ID Verification

Integration with verification services for high-stakes compliance.

Start with a Template or Build from Scratch

Not sure where to start? Embeddable offers free age verification templates you can customize:

Simple Age Gate - Yes/No buttons
Date of Birth Verification - Birthday entry
Branded Age Popup - Logo and imagery included
Terms Acceptance - Age + terms checkbox
Regional Age Gate - Country-specific ages

Choose a template that's close to what you need, then customize it with AI to match your exact requirements. It's the fastest way to get a professional age verification on your site.

Why Age Verification Matters

Age verification serves critical purposes:

Legal Compliance: Many jurisdictions require it.

Liability Protection: Shows you attempted to restrict access.

Brand Trust: Demonstrates responsible business practices.

Industry Standards: Expected in regulated industries.

Peace of Mind: Protects both your business and minors.

Making Your Age Verification More Effective

Take your age gate to the next level with these additions:

Location Detection

Show appropriate age requirements based on visitor location.

Terms Integration

Combine age verification with terms acceptance.

Exit Intent

For declined visitors, offer newsletter signup or age-appropriate content.

Analytics

Track verification acceptance rates.

Custom Denial

Redirect underage visitors to appropriate content or resources.

Embeddable supports integrations with analytics and compliance tools.

Best Practices for Age Verification

For effective, compliant age gates:

Clear Question: Make the age requirement obvious
Accessible: Follow accessibility guidelines
Mobile-Friendly: Large buttons for touch
Remember Choices: Don't annoy returning verified visitors
Legal Review: Have specific language reviewed by legal counsel

Legal Considerations

Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Consult an attorney for your specific situation.

Requirements vary by jurisdiction
Some industries have specific regulations
Record-keeping may be required
Penalties for non-compliance can be significant

Ready to Build Your Age Verification?

That's it! No developers, no complex cookie logic, no design skills needed. Just describe what you want and AI builds your custom age verification in minutes.

Your age verification will:

Match your website's design perfectly
Comply with your age requirements
Work on every platform and device
Remember verified visitors
Update easily when requirements change

Ready to get started?

Option 1: Start with a Template Browse free age verification templates and customize one to your needs.

Option 2: Build Custom with AI Head to Embeddable and describe your age verification - the AI will build it in minutes.

Need More Widget Ideas?

More Tutorials:

Start protecting your content with custom age verification now!