At its core, OnlyFans is an online platform where creators can publish paywalled content and chat with subscribers. A creator’s followers can access the content by subscribing to their account. Most subscriptions cost a few dollars a month, but some accounts are free.

The platform has grown exponentially since it was founded in 2016 – and there’s a lot of opportunity for creators. For example, model Bryce Adams made history as the first star on the platform to reach 10 million likes out of her 1 million subscribers.

The company’s most recent tax filings show that OnlyFans users spent over US$5.6 billion on the platform in 2022, and there were over 3 million registered creators for almost 250 million fans.

Why is OnlyFans controversial?

OnlyFans also stoked the ire of sex workers when it tried to ban explicit content in the summer of 2021. It reversed the decision almost immediately.

Security concerns have also been raised about OnlyFans. For instance, a 2021 BBC investigation found that underage people had published explicit content there after finding ways to bypass the platform’s age-verification system.

Another major issue for OnlyFans is “revenge porn”. A 2024 Reuters investigation found that over 120 people had filed complaints with the US police because they were included in explicit content published on OnlyFans without their consent.

Creators on the platform who publish content that is not safe for work also say that content leaks are frequent. OnlyFans has put measures in place to prevent screenshotting and downloading pictures and videos to try to limit this practice.

OnlyFans did not respond to a request for comment on the issues outlined above.

Another source of controversy, particularly among subscribers of adult content creators, has been ghostwriting. Some creators have outsourced chatting to assistants or outside agencies to keep up with the high volume of interactions with their subscribers.

How much does OnlyFans cost?

The price of an OnlyFans subscription can vary widely depending on the creator. Many creators set their price at a few dollars a month, but some also charge up to US$25 or US$30, while others keep their pages free of charge. Some models maintain multiple profiles at different price points to cater to different audiences.

“I was absolutely in the dark,” said creator Morgan Edwards, who uses the pseudonym “Kitty K” online, about establishing the price of her page on the platform. “One of the things that I did was really just sit back, observe, and sort of do what others did.”

OnlyFans takes a 20 per cent cut of each page’s earnings, while the remaining 80 per cent goes to creators.

On top of subscriptions, there are a variety of other services creators can offer for additional charges, like personalised videos or texting sessions. Some create “tip menus” listing the types of content they provide for subscribers, and how much they cost.

How much money do OnlyFans creators make?

The amount of money OnlyFans creators make can vary – it usually starts small, but many creators are able to build up their incomes. Their yearly earnings range from US$143,000 to US$5.4 million.

A popular and lucrative way creators monetise is via private messaging with their subscribers. The relationships OnlyFans creators build with their subscribers rely heavily on monetary exchange. Some models, like Swedish Amber Sweetheart, have been able to earn millions of dollars by selling “connections” with their fans.

How content creators make money on OnlyFans

There’s a lot of opportunity on OnlyFans, and many creators have been able to build their income to US$10,000 a month. According to experts, the key to growing a subscriber base on the platform is ensuring traffic from outside sources, like other social media platforms, because OnlyFans does not have a discovery algorithm.

For some of the more popular creators, another lucrative income stream is offering promotional “shoutouts” to smaller accounts in exchange for a fee. Creators collectively spend millions of dollars each month on this marketing practice.

Why so many OnlyFans users stay anonymous

It’s not uncommon for OnlyFans creators to publish adult content without showing their faces. Farrah, a former healthcare worker-turned-adult entertainer, has been able to make over US$1 million in revenue without revealing her identity. One of the key ways she uses to promote her account is by posting regularly on Reddit.

Mrs Robinson is another creator who began posting on the platform without showing her face. She relies on the “hot teacher” persona she’s built online and charges extra to reveal her face to subscribers in pay-per-view messages.

What is not allowed on OnlyFans?

The platform’s terms and conditions list several types of prohibited content. These are some of the forbidden elements:

• Violent content, including firearms, sadomasochistic content and bondage

• Content including minors

• Body fluids

• Drug-related content

• Tobacco content

• Public sex content

• Fully AI-generated content and deepfakes

• Content that contains any form of advertising, commercial activities or sales