« OnlyFans – this is behind the new porn hype

jentimfluencer – this is the name of many users who post their photos and videos on OnlyFans for a fee. Tom Stokely started the social network about four years ago. In the meantime, the platform has become a haven for the erotic and pornographic content that everyone is talking about right now – also because more and more people outside the porn industry are using it.

Like rapper Cardi B. When she released her new single “WAP” (for “Wet Ass Pussy”, translated into German as “fucking wet pussy”), she signed up for relationships at the same time public with OnlyFans. The song provoked as if it were pre-programmed – not only through the lyrics, but also through the music video and Cardi B's presence on Instagram porn, as some now call it. OnlyFans. However, the rapper does not show any pornographic content on her account, but according to her own statement, she wants to use various behind-the-scenes clips to show how laborious such a video shoot is.

OnlyFans as a public relations tool? Cardi B's decision at least shows how important the medium has become in certain scenes and that thanks to aggressive marketing from platforms like Pornhub, porn has become part of pop culture. And it goes even further: OnlyFans could revolutionize sex work. The reason the network attracts pornstars like a magnet has a simple reason: unlike most social media, it allows pornographic and erotic depictions.

Here's how it works OnlyFans

According to his own information, OnlyFans currently has over 25 million registered users worldwide, of which approximately 500 offer paid content. Around 000 users come from Germany – and the trend is rising. Fundamentally, OnlyFans is only slightly different from Instagram. However, if you want to become a member, you must first specify a payment method. Because only those who pay can see more than their name, profile picture and information.

There are three possibilities for this: Either you take out a monthly subscription, similar to Netflix. The content creator whose content you want to see decides how much it costs, but the minimum price is four dollars, which is equivalent to approximately 3,36 euros. Those who opt for a longer subscription usually get a discount. Or you pay extra for each content – ​​this template is probably for anyone who is just curious or a little ashamed to be with OnlyFans.

Additionally, the social media app has another feature particularly popular with sex workers: tipping. Those who find something particularly good can voluntarily pay a bonus. OnlyFans retains 20% commission, 80% goes to content providers.

For the first time, intimate fluencers have their business in hand

Another advantage of the exclusive network: porn producers and actors are more accessible with OnlyFans. Many also seem much looser compared to Pornhub, x-Hamster and other sexy platforms. For money, you can even send private messages, like on Instagram and Facebook. It lifts the taboo, makes many pornstars more likable and thus attracts an audience of millions.

Thanks to OnlyFans, anyone who wants to make money from erotica no longer needs a big studio or a marketing agency. You do it yourself and directly reach the people who want to see you. A novelty in the industry, which for decades has been shaped by the dirty image and dependency of actors on their studios and directors.

Urban artist OnlyFans offers a platform for all those who have not yet had the opportunity to present themselves appropriately in pornography: queer people and transsexual erotic actors. And the network also opens doors and doors for people in the general public who are on the frontier of the porn industry.

A million dollars in 24 hours

An extreme example of how much money can be made through OnlyFans is the recent case of American actress Bella Thorne. She became known through several roles in Disney productions. For several years she has been trying herself as a director of porn films. His first work, the short film "Her & Him", was produced by Pornhub. A former Disney star who shoots progressive porn and also openly markets it – the company can't imagine anything better.

When Thorne opened a channel on OnlyFans on August 19, 2020, the rush was so great that the platform did not collapse for a short time. But the actress claims to have made over a million dollars in just 24 hours. A subscription to their profile costs around $20 per month.

When Thorne sent her fans "sexy pics" for an extra $ 200, she claims she made an extra $ 1 million in one week. However, this offer was angry with others. Because in the photos, the actress was not naked, but always wore a bikini. Many angry subscribers then demanded reimbursement. Other intimate fluencers saw themselves at a disadvantage in the competition.

A paywall for porn

Shortly after, OnlyFans changed the terms of service and introduced a tip limit of $100. Also, a private message can now cost no more than $50. As a result, however, many providers ofOnlyFans were even angrier than before because it drastically cut off an important source of income for them. However, the network stressed that the innovations were not due to the Thorne case alone.

The example shows how much potential there is in OnlyFans, but also how many gray areas are hidden behind them. In many countries where sex work is partially or totally illegal, the UK-based company is the only chance for many to earn money without taking too much risk. Thorne pointed out on Twitter that she was mostly featured on OnlyFans to break the stigma. The future will tell if she will really succeed.