What is OnlyFans? A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide to the Platform
While OnlyFans markets itself as a hosting platform for content creators, this subscription-based service has become synonymous with sex workers and porn producers in recent years. Launched in 2016, it’s quickly become the most popular platform of its kind, boasting a network of more than 1.5 million creators.
Creators upload content regularly, generating income from monthly subscriptions. They can also make additional income by monetizing individual videos or image galleries (check out our post on how to earn HUGE money on OnlyFans). It’s one of the most-user friendly subscription services around, requiring minimal verification to get started. At its height, OnlyFans was attracting around 8,000 new creators, every day.
What is OnlyFans?
Searching for a simple way to generate some side income? Maybe you’re thinking about capitalizing on previous success as a cam performer. OnlyFans is the way to do it. However, you’re going to be competing with a lot of other creators here. If you want to succeed, our beginner’s guide is essential reading.
History and Background of OnlyFans
OnlyFans was launched in 2016 by brothers Tim and Thomas Stokely. Originally, the platform was intended as a way for content creators to share video clips and photos with paying audiences, with the monthly subscription model being a staple of the business from the get-go. However, it wasn’t until 2018 that OnlyFans’ reputation would become forever entwined with the world of amateur pornography.
This came out when Leonid Radvinsky purchased a majority share of the company. Radvinsky had found success with the cam-performing site MyFreeCams. In no time at all, the focus shifted to content creators putting out explicit videos and images.
Now that OnlyFans had become a home for sexual content, the platform exploded in popularity. Several celebrities also gave OnlyFans the seal of approval, with the likes of Carmen Electra and Bella Thorne both joining in the fun. However, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that contributed to OnlyFans’ peak growth period. Before government-imposed lockdowns became a part of everyone’s lives, less than 8 million people had subscribed to OnlyFans. By the middle of 2020, the platform was welcoming upwards of 200,000 new subscribers every day. By the end of 2021, OnlyFans had brought in revenues of more than $900 million. Not bad for a company that was financed with a float of just £10,000.
While not everyone’s going to make a life-changing fortune on OnlyFans, the potential is there. Bella Thorne became the first content creator to earn $1 million in less than a day. By the end of her first week using OnlyFans, she had doubled that.
Unfortunately, the platform hasn’t been immune to controversies. Some users have been accused of false advertising, promising explicit material to attract subscribers, only to produce content that fell far short. OnlyFans’ less than robust verification process has also been cause for complaint. Many underage users have been found to be using the platform, easily sidestepping the second-rate identity verification requirements.
How OnlyFans Works
Creating an OnlyFans creator account is simple. First off, you’ll need to create an account by registering with a valid email address. You’ll then add one form of identification, along with banking credentials so you can be paid for your content. Your account then needs to be approved. Once that’s done, you can start adding content to your profile. Content creators can share a link to their page wherever they like.
Some creators use Reddit to drum up interest, while others turn to social media channels. Although you can start charging for subscriptions straight away, it’s always a good idea to tease your would-be audiences with a little free content. You’re dealing with a subscription model at OnlyFans. Most amateur creators keep the cost of subscription low, generally charging little more than a few dollars per month. However, A-list users and famous faces have charged considerably more than that.
Some creators charge a single subscription fee for access to all their content. For those offering adult content, this typically covers video clips and photos. However, the more daring user may want to offer live streams. Pay-per-view messages are another feature you can monetize.
Many first-time creators struggle to generate a healthy income from OnlyFans. However, one way to boost your earning potential is to engage with a growing fanbase. By accepting requests for custom content, you can boost loyalty and charge a premium for bespoke videos and photos. What’s more, the OnlyFans referral program allows existing creators to bring new users to the platform. If someone successfully refers a new creator to OnlyFans, they’ll earn a slice of any profits made by the newcomer.
Navigating the OnlyFans Community
Now that OnlyFans is so popular, your first visit to the platform might prove overwhelming. If you’re looking to subscribe or do some research before becoming a creator user yourself, make use of the recommendations feature. There’s a regularly-updated feed on the right-hand side of the screen. Here, you’ll find suggested profiles that OnlyFans mods think deserve a closer look. They don’t generally tend to be tied to your interests and previous views, however.
Many content creators are active on social media. If you’re thinking about making a living with OnlyFans, this social media savviness is an art form you’ll want to emulate. A well-timed Tweet can bring in thousands of new subscribers in a matter of hours.
Although it’s tempting to undercut the competition with lower subscription fees, you should also think about networking. Established OnlyFans creators have valuable insights into what works. Think about reaching out to them for tips or advice. Alternatively, you can pursue collaborations. If you have no qualms about having sex on camera, you can make the jump from solo shows to hardcore scenes with an experienced OnlyFans user. This kind of cross-promotion brings benefits to everyone. For the less established content creator, there’s an immediate uplift in potential subscriber numbers.
Whatever you’ve got planned for your OnlyFans account, you’ll need to adhere to the guidelines. Those putting out adult content had a scare in 2021 when the platform announced that it would be stamping out pornographic material. Thankfully, this announcement was premature and the ban was quietly dropped only a few days later.
It’s easy enough to stay on the right side of the rules when using OnlyFans. Provided performers are over the age of 18, pretty much anything goes. However, it’s against the rules to share accounts or publish content that falls foul of any indecency laws. Product placement is also frowned upon.
Safety and Privacy on OnlyFans
Many people choose OnlyFans because it offers a level of anonymity. By locking your content behind a paywall, there’s less worry that someone you know is going to stumble upon your naked selfies or hardcore sex clips. Robust data protection and strict privacy policies bring added peace of mind. However, OnlyFans does recommend that users go the extra mile and use a stage name, rather than their own details.
User content is also heavily moderated. Subscribers can easily report any illegal content that falls foul of the strict community guidelines. Likewise, content creators can report inappropriate behavior from subscribers.
Critiques and Controversies
When it comes to sex work, OnlyFans is considered a game-changer. There are many reasons to sing the praises of this platform. Adult performers free themselves from the web of porn producers and distributors, making their own artistic decisions and, in theory, keeping a larger slice of the profits they generate. However, others argue that platforms like OnlyFans are only a gateway to darker corners of the adult entertainment industry. Some detractors even suggest that it could be one step towards prostitution for certain users.
Many OnlyFans creators have reported issues with payments in the past. Despite the platform insisting that payments are delivered monthly, many users have been forced to wait twice that long to get their hands on money that’s rightfully theirs. At first glance, the commission that OnlyFans takes from its users seems fairly reasonable. A flat fee of 20% is taken as a commission across every transaction. However, this doesn’t just apply to subscription fees. That 20% cut applies to everything, including discretionary tips made by loyal fans.
While OnlyFans quickly changed tact when it came to banning adult-only content, some users find the platform is a little too restrictive. While it’s completely right that violence and forced consent videos shouldn’t have a place here, those performers playing out role-playing scenarios have expressed frustration with not being able to create and upload intense, but purely fictional, content.
OnlyFans Alternatives and Major Competitions
Looking for an alternative to OnlyFans? There are plenty out there. Patreon is one of the biggest competitors to OnlyFans. It operates with a similar subscription model, although it caters to a far broader type of user, including just about every discipline of the visual arts. Commission is more reasonable here, with the platform only taking 12% of what an artist earns. What’s more, this cut only applies to subscription revenue. While there’s a lot to love about Patreon, it doesn’t have the same reach as OnlyFans. As of 2023, it brings in a relatively modest 3 million users every month.
Another option is Ko-fi. One of the most user-friendly platforms for content creators, Ko-fi makes it easy for people to share their artistic creations with anyone. If someone likes what they see, they can make a small one-off donation to show their support. However, Ko-fi’s reach is relatively small, with around 500,000 active users. What’s more, content guidelines make it clear that there’s no place for sexually explicit material here.
If you’re eager to make some money from adult-only content, think about giving SubscribeStar a try. As with OnlyFans, users can pay for a subscription to access new content from their favorite creators. It also allows for one-time access to newly-uploaded content. Although it’s not as popular as OnlyFans, it does have less restrictive content guidelines than the likes of Patreon.
Getting Started on OnlyFans
Ready to reap the benefits of putting out content on OnlyFans? While the most successful content creators can pocket six-figure sums, every month, this isn’t a realistic goal for first-time users. You’ll need to build a significant fanbase before you can start earning big money. What’s more, this is a saturated platform with a huge number of active users. Standing out from all that competition is almost impossible if you don’t have a niche. Do your homework first to get an idea of untapped niches you can exploit. It might even be worth seeking out an established creator who can serve as a mentor.
Once you’ve gone live with content and started attracting an audience, you need to keep them hooked. A subscriber can cancel at any time, after all. You want them coming back every month. An engaged subscriber is also likely to recommend you to others. A steady stream of fresh content is the best way to keep your audience eager for more. Make the effort to reach out to your audience and be prepared to accept requests for custom content.
To secure even more growth, you’ll need to know how to market yourself. As with any other business, social media is a useful tool here. Twitter will let you update adult content, so there’s nothing stopping you from Tweeting about a new clip you’re adding to your page for subscribers. Think about offering the occasional piece of free content as a reward for loyal fans and an incentive for new subscribers. If you’re looking to give your fanbase a big boost, you could even approach a more established creator to participate in a collaboration.
Can You Make a Living on OnlyFans?
If you’re open-minded to the idea of a career in the adult entertainment industry, OnlyFans is a user-friendly baby step in the right direction. Creating an account is simple enough, but establishing yourself and nurturing a fanbase takes work.
While some people take issue with the level of commission OnlyFans absorbs from transactions, it still remains one of the best platforms of its kind. If you know how to engage an audience and promote yourself, there are hundreds of millions of potential subscribers you can tap into.
For many, OnlyFans will start off as a modest side hustle. However, patience can pay off. If you’re prepared to put in the hours, invest in high-quality content, and are ready to reach out to people who know the business better than you, can trade in your day job in no time.
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