OnlyFans initially received mainstream attention after sex workers began using the site during the COVID lockdowns of spring and summer 2020. The subscription-based platform has since ballooned into a world of its own, where artists, entertainers, sex workers, and others can monetize their influence.
Throughout the pandemic, as platforms like Instagram cracked down on demon time, OnlyFans became the center for all things adult—and more. A growing list of celebrities, Cardi B and Bhad Bhabie among them, capitalized on OnlyFans, selling content that, while not NSFW, wasn’t available elsewhere.
Many people now ask: is OnlyFans porn or something more?
What is OnlyFans?
OnlyFans is an online platform and app created in 2016. With it, people can pay for content (photos, videos, and live streams) via a monthly membership. Content is mainly created by YouTubers, fitness trainers, models, content creators, and public figures in order to monetize their profession. It is also popular with adult content creators.
Since the start of the pandemic, the streaming platform has grown by over 553%. And it isn’t slowing down.
Creators share various types of content on OnlyFans, from not-safe-for-work (NSFW) videos to ordinary posts about daily life. These span many niches and interests, including fashion, cosplay, fitness, cooking, and more.
Photos and videos are the most common types of OnlyFans content. You can share these on your main feed, through direct messages, behind paywalls, and more. Most adult content creators mix up their types of content to attract wider audiences and boost revenue. Additionally, pay-per-view (PPV) content and direct messages can protect your content by letting you limit and track who accesses it.
OnlyFans CEO has disclosed the amount the subscription-based platform has paid creators since 2016.
Speaking at the Bloomberg Screentime conference in LA late last week, Ms Blair said the UK-based company had paid out over $US20 billion in the past eight years.
Is There Porn on OnlyFans?
Behind every OnlyFans success story lies a world of surprising statistics that often goes unnoticed. Who are the creators? How many subscribers are there? And how much money is flowing through the platform?
- Right now, the platform has over 305 million users worldwide.
- When it comes to active accounts, the stats get more interesting. Not every registered account remains active, but the platform experiences daily activity from tens of millions of users, whether they’re subscribing, tipping, posting, or simply scrolling. But that’s not all. In January 2024, OnlyFans saw approximately one billion monthly website visits from users worldwide.
- There are more than 4.11 million OnlyFans creators.
Out of the 305 million users, approximately 4.5 million accounts are creators. This OnlyFans data tells us that for every creator account, there are approximately 74 fans, giving a 1:74 ratio. - OnlyFans isn’t just popular in the U.S.—it’s global. The U.S. makes up a significant portion of its user base, but other countries, such as the U.K., Canada, and Australia, aren’t far behind.
So, is there porn on OnlyFans? Yes—but it’s not the whole story. Porn on OnlyFans is a popular segment of the platform, but it coexists with content in categories like fitness, music, wellness, and education.
From platforms built specifically for adult content creators to more mainstream options that cater to artists, influencers, and video creators, you’ve got several options. However, not all platforms work the same way, and it all depends on what kind of content you create and how you want to use it.
- FanCentro empowers creators to monetize their social media presence by offering exclusive content to subscribers. One of FanCentro’s standout features is its robust suite of tools designed for fan management, earnings tracking, and personalized experiences.
- JustForFans is a subscription-based platform focused on adult content creators, offering features like live streaming and fan messaging. It provides a space for creators to share exclusive content with their subscribers in a secure environment.
- ManyVids is a well-established platform tailored for adult content creators looking to monetize their videos, photos, and live streams. It functions as an online marketplace where creators can sell video clips, subscriptions, custom content, and physical products.
- Patreon is one of the most popular platforms for creators across all industries, including artists, musicians, educators, and adult content creators. Unlike OnlyFans, Patreon is not specifically designed for adult content.
- OKFans is a fan subscription platform that caters to content creators in both mainstream and adult industries. It operates similarly to OnlyFans, allowing creators to share exclusive content with paying subscribers.
- SunRoom is a fan subscription platform designed specifically for female and non-binary creators. It focuses on empowering content creators by offering a safe and inclusive space for monetization.
Perspectives on OnlyFans and Pornography
Last year, a teacher in Arizona lost her job after filming for an OnlyFans account on on school grounds; her husband, a substitute teacher, lost his, too. More recently, a former OnlyFans creator who was making $20,000 a month spoke to Business Insider about quitting the platform, saying, “It got to the point where the money wasn’t worth it.”
The platform has become increasingly popular for people who have become unemployed during the pandemic, but it is also popular among sex workers. With a subscription, anyone can find and view sex workers and pornographic actors without ever visiting a porn site. So yes, does OnlyFans have porn? Absolutely. But again, that’s not all it has.
Many OnlyFans creators don’t focus on adult topics at all. Instead, they highlight their daily lives, hobbies, and careers. Even adult-focused creators often include non-adult content to spotlight their niches and keep their profiles active.
Non-adult OnlyFans photos and videos include:
- Before and after photos
- Wardrobe photos
- Food pics
- Tutorial videos
- Fitness videos
- Vlogs
- BTS (behind-the-scenes) content
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The phenomenon of “OnlyFans leaked” content also raises ethical questions regarding privacy and consent. The sharing of private content without consent is not only a violation of trust but also an act that can cause emotional and psychological harm to creators.
Porn on OnlyFans has also led to broader discussions on creator protection.
- Fee Structures and Payout Issues: OnlyFans charges creators a significant percentage of their earnings, often around 20%. Moreover, the platform has faced criticism for sudden changes in its fee structure, affecting the income stability of content creators.
- Inadequate User Protection: The platform has been criticized for not doing enough to protect content creators from piracy and unauthorized distribution of their content. Once content is purchased, it can easily be shared or leaked without the creator’s consent.
- Privacy Concerns: OnlyFans requires users to provide personal information for verification purposes. Concerns have been raised about the platform’s ability to secure this sensitive data, considering the potential consequences if it falls into the wrong hands.
- Lack of Moderation: OnlyFans has faced challenges in moderating and overseeing the content uploaded to its platform. This lack of oversight has resulted in instances of illegal or non-consensual content being shared, posing risks to both creators and consumers.
The Impact on Society and Culture
Understanding how the adult entertainment industry has evolved in recent years means taking a deeper look at the new kid on the block: OnlyFans.
Many porn stars have migrated to OnlyFans to be in control of their monetization options, often choosing to shoot less for traditional channels. That’s part of why porn on OnlyFans has grown so rapidly.
Performers are eager to manage their careers independently, opting out of traditional revenue-sharing models that dilute their earnings.
Jess West, a porn-star-turned-OnlyFans-Creator, points out that the platform “benefits the performers much, much more” by facilitating a more direct and rewarding connection with their audience. The personal interaction element—something traditional porn doesn’t deliver—adds even more value for fans who can now enjoy a more interactive experience.
As top-performers migrate to OnlyFans to capitalize on better monetization opportunities and total creative freedom, traditional studios are seeing a significant dip in both talent and viewership.
In its new report– ‘OnlyFans and Young People: Exploitation or Empowerment’ – VoiceBox explores both the opportunities and harms of this subscription-based platform phenomenon.
It finds evidence that OnlyFans has, for some, offered financial opportunities and empowerment during the hardest days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, it also finds that for many – particularly young women – there are also major issues around addiction, loss of self-esteem, difficult or risky working conditions, and concerns around privacy and age-verifications.
Most worryingly, it also finds even more evidence of the grooming of minors by adults to share naked images and videos. These dangers can be especially present when porn on OnlyFans is produced and consumed without proper safeguards.
Conclusion
In the digital age, OnlyFans has emerged as a prominent platform, often synonymous with adult content. However, this perception overshadows the diverse range of content and communities flourishing within its ecosystem.
OnlyFans provides a platform for creators to monetize their content directly, offering more control over their work and a closer connection with their audience. The platform’s flexible content policies allow creators to explore various niches and interests, making it an attractive option for those looking to share diverse content. This support enables creators to thrive, fostering a community that values authenticity, creativity, and inclusivity.
Most of us probably heard about OnlyFans because of people using it for adult/porn content. That is what has blown the site up in the media.
It isn’t that OnlyFans is a porn site, but that they will allow people to host adult content.
So if you’re wondering, is there porn on Only Fans? Yes. But there’s so much more, too.