OnlyFans is a subscription service platform where creators can earn an income by making exclusive content for fans. Millions of content creators have signed up to the platform since its inception in 2016. The membership platform is designed to connect creators with their most dedicated followers. But become widely known for its adult content and is used extensively by many online sex workers to publish adult content. Content creators receive recurring fees in exchange users get access to paywalled content. This may include pictures, recordings, videos, emails, direct messages, or even products

Who is OnlyFans for?

OnlyFans is designed for creators who share their craft via videos, photos, writing, live streams, or voice notes. While it’s open to anyone, creators will experience the best results if they already have a following on another platform where they can promote their page. 

However, the most successful content creators on OnlyFans generally publish NSFW content. Because of the platform’s more relaxed community guidelines, sexual content is the most prevalent type being posted and why most users make an account to begin with.

How does OnlyFans work?

OnlyFans provides creators with the ability to paywall content and in turn get money to be able to support the production of premium quality content. Creators can set the site as free or paid and the fan pays for the exclusive content. A creator can create an account for free.

Creators earn an income by offering subscription plans for their fans to choose from. Subscriptions range from $4.99 at the lowest to $49.99 at the highest and come in multiple tiers. The creators set each tier at a different price and offer extra rewards to incentivize fans to sign up.

OnlyFans creators can also receive tips and donations, take commissions and requests for personalized content, and offer paid private messaging to subscribers.

OnlyFans pays 80% a share of their earnings and retains 20 percent as an additional charge. Since many of onlyfans.com's creators offer sexually explicit content users must be 18 or over and must have a legal ID to be able to signup. Each author's brand-related content has been secured with OnlyFans to keep this information confidential.

How do OnlyFans payments work?

OnlyFans payout schedule consists of automatic daily payments on a 7-day rolling basis. So all earnings from the 1st of the month will be received by creators on the 8th. However, OnlyFans does require a minimum balance of $100 for creators to access their funds. In addition, OnlyFans takes a commission fee of 20%, so creators get to keep 80% of their earnings from subscriptions and donations.

The amount that creators get paid varies depending on the price of their subscription plans and the number of subscribers they have. However, many creators make enough money on the platform to fully financially support themselves, and the site's top creators have managed to earn millions of dollars.

To help creators better understand what their paychecks will look like, OnlyFans has a sliding scale on their website that shows projected earnings based on subscription prices and follower count. According to the image below, creators can earn between $1,499 and $7,455 per month with 10,000 subscribers and $14.99 subscription fees. This estimate doesn’t even include how much can be made from tips and paid messages.

How to use OnlyFans - for creators

The first step to making an OnlyFans is setting up an account, which requires going to the website and clicking ‘Sign up for OnlyFans.’ Then, enter a name, email, and password to create your account. Next, add your banking details into the “Add Bank Account” tab and choose between recurring weekly/monthly payments or manual transfers.

Then, set up subscription plans with multiple tiers for fans to choose from. By offering different prices and rewards, creators will have more success in retaining paying fans and attracting new ones. Next, it’s time to start regularly posting high-quality exclusive content that users will be willing to pay for.

To get fans interested, creators should also promote their OnlyFans page across multiple social medial platforms. This will move followers who already know and engage with your work over to OnlyFans, where they can check out your page and pay to see more.

How to use OnlyFans - for fans

Fans have to make an account to view content on OnlyFans just like creators do. After creating an account, fans can search for their favorite creators with the search bar on the top right of the home page. Then, find the desired account, click to get on their page, and press the “Subscribe” button on the right. Once you’re subscribed, you’ll have access to all the content at the tier you’re paying for. It’s that simple!

OnlyFans explained: What you need to know about the NSFW site

OnlyFans was first popularized when sex workers started using it at the COVID lockdown in Spring 2020. Currently, subscription-based platforms have become part of a whole new world where artists, entertainers, sex workers, and other people can monetize their influence. In a recent pandemic as social media smashed down on a demon era, Onlyfans became one of the largest adult websites in Asia. The growing list of celebs including Cardi B and Bhad Bhabie capitalized on fans and sold NSFW material. OnlyFans announced that it was eliminating sexual content from its platform by 2021.

But despite its reputation, OnlyFans is a service all creators interested in putting their content behind a paywall can use. Home to over 50 million users and 1 million creators, OnlyFans is one of the most popular online platforms on the market for content creators right now.

What is OnlyFans and why did it backtrack on banning porn?

OnlyFans has a total of approximately 130 million users and initially set out to compete against Patreon. It's probably the most controversial membership platform because they have allowed creators to upload porn and hide it under a paywall for years. OnlyFans existed since 2016 but are known for being used by sex workers although some celebrities have also used them for money.

OnlyFans caused quite a stir in the online sex worker community when it announced it would ban sexually explicit content. The UK-based company announced on 19 August 2021 that it planned to ban the posting of any content containing sexually explicit conduct, citing a need to comply "...banking partners and payout providers", according to a statement provided to the media. The statement elaborated: "In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the platform, and to continue to host an inclusive community of creators and fans, we must evolve our content guidelines".

OnlyFans has made a few attempts at going public, in order to do so the Company needed to clean its image. Furthermore, according to a news story published by Axios OnlyFans has struggled to find outside investors. As of 2022 OnlyFans is still a privately held company but has been rumored to be in discussions with multiple blank cheque companies, SPACS about a possible merger to take it public.

Another likely reason for the attempted ban of X-rated content is that OnlyFans is only available on the web which has limited its expansion plans to mobile platforms. Both Apple and Google's terms of service prohibit adult-related apps from being published on their app stores.

Shortly, after the announcement, creators publicly criticized the decision and fled in droves to competitors like Fansly.com. OnlyFans days later backtracked on its decision. Here's the reason why, plus what you need to know about OnlyFans.

Are there any alternatives to Onlyfans?

• Fansly offers similar functionality and become increasingly popular as an alternative for many sex workers. Check out this: comparison of Fansly vs OnlyFans.

• Patreon is home to over a million content creators and is arguably the OG in the creator membership platform space and is worth considering and permits some limited adult content. Check out this: comparison of OnlyFans vs Patreon.

OnlyFans FAQ

Does OnlyFans have an app?

Unfortunately, these contents mean Onlyfans isn't available in any Appstore. It requires onlyfans.com to use the browser for desktop and mobile devices. Mobile users will save this page on their desktop computer screen. It creates an app icon for the home screen and allows only fandom to be used as an app.

What can I do with an account on OnlyFans?

An OnlyFans account with a subscription enables followers to gain access to pictures, recordings, videos, emails, direct messages, or even exclusive merchandise.

Tell me the purpose of OnlyFans and how does it work?

OnlyFans is an internet platform that is increasingly gaining popularity after corona virus censorship began this summer. The platform is also highly popular amongst sexual and sex workers because of its ease of access. OnlyFans became so popular in the wake of the lockout many women are finding the industry saturated. Some creators report more earnings during the lockdown and others report fewer earnings as fans face financial hardship and saturation in markets.

How do OnlyFans content creators get discovered?

OnlyFans has little to no discovery on its site, unless a user is logged in then the platform suggests other creators. For the most part, creators are expected to attract and promote traffic to their pages using social media platforms. OnlyFans creators use the following social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc... Instagram account is one of the most popular tools used by creators to attract new users to their Onlyfans pages. The use of social media platforms is an integral part of OnlyFan's business model and monetary success. Sex workers who work in the adult entertainment industry will promote their pages on popular freemium adult sites featuring explicit videos such as PornHub.com.

What are the top features used by an OnlyFans content creator?

• Paid private messages

• Paid subscription tiers (charged on a monthly basis)

• Ability to upload photos and videos

Is OnlyFans legal?

OnlyFans requires a user to be over 18 years of age to use this platform and view content. It also requires users to have a valid government issued id.

Does OnlyFans support sex workers?

Not officially but most of the money the platform makes comes from professional sex workers. OnlyFans has in the past closed down a number of controversial accounts in an attempt to sanitize the platform.

What sort of content is on OnlyFans?

OnlyFans attracts largely for adult content but many people have used the site for varying reasons. In spite of popular belief, the platform is used by a diverse creator community which includes food & fitness influencers that share high-quality recipes and workout tips for paying clients.

I am interested in joining OnlyFans — what does the feed look like? 

The feed resembles and follows the same design elements that can be found on Instagram and Twitter feeds. 

The takeaway: should I make an OnlyFans?

Video creators, photographers, writers, and creators-of-all kinds should consider making an OnlyFans, especially if they already have a following on another platform. OnlyFans is an excellent website for creators offering extra content to fans willing to pay subscription fees. And if you’re interested in creating sexual content in particular, the choice to make an OnyFans is even easier. OnlyFans is the best platform for adult entertainers trying to make a living online and is the platform most associated with NSFW content.