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September 22, 2023

What is OnlyFans? And How does OnlyFans work?

GROW MY
ONLYFANS ACCOUNT

Created in 2016, OnlyFans is a social media platform. Users can use it to pay content creators for photos, videos and live streams via a number of different payment options. Users can subscribe to a content creator and pay a monthly fee to access their content.

What is OnlyFans?

OnlyFans is a platform designed to help content creators make more money from their profession by selling images, videos and live streams.

It’s one of the best ways for people to make extra money from their profession, as it charges creators a 20% fee, but they get to keep the remaining 80% - making it hugely profitable for many of its users. 

It was created in 2016 in London and has been hugely popular with sex workers and amateur content creators looking to make extra money from their content. Users can sell and or purchase original content from creators on the platform for a fee set by the creator.

It is incredibly popular and has over 50 million subscribers. It is used by a huge range of different people from different backgrounds and ages, all sharing different types of content.

It works primarily on a subscription based model, whereby users charge their followers a fee to subscribe to their content each month. 

What is OnlyFans used for?

It is used by a number of people from different types of professions ranging from celebs to amateurs who use it as a subsidiary source of income.

Some people use OnlyFans to share adult content, others to share their fitness tips, music and cooking videos. It is used by people from a huge range of different backgrounds and professions and enables them to make more money from their online content on their own terms.

A lot of celebs and high profile influencers use the platform to create more of an intimate connection with their fans.

How does OnlyFans work?

OnlyFans works by using a subscription based model. Content creators charge users (their ‘fans’) a monthly subscription fee to view their content. This is one of the simplest ways creators can make money from the platform but there are several other ways creators can monetise their content including pay-per-view posts, charging for tips and individual fees for live streaming. 

For viewers, OnlyFans works by signing up to view a creator's content you’d like to subscribe to. A subscription fee can start at a low amount per month, for example a few dollars, up to around $50. Your subscription will auto-renew each month until you cancel. 

Some creators do offer free trials so you may be able to access some content for free while on OnlyFans. But, most content you may want to access will likely be behind a paywall. 

How to start an OnlyFans? How to join OnlyFans? 

It’s very easy to create an OnlyFans account and join the platform. All you need to do is be 18+ to set up an account. You’ll also need to be able to link your account to your bank account in order to monetise your content. 

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to start an OnlyFans account:

  • Go onto OnlyFans and create an account
  • Sign up your financial information
  • Verify your identity 
  • Submit your application for account verification
  • Establish your subscription price
  • Start posting your content

It’s important to start growing your account from the get-go to make sure you make the most from having an account. 

One of the best ways to do this is by directing followers from your other social media accounts (Instagram, TikTok and Twitter) to your account. Be sure to check the guidelines of the platforms you post about your OnlyFans on. Another excellent way to earn A LOT of money is by working together with an agency, like MatchingFans. 

Each platform has their own rules around whether you can link directly to your OnlyFans profile. However, there are many ways you can get around this in order to direct friends on other platforms to your page. 

To find out more about how to do this and how to grow your following, read our post on how to promote your OnlyFans account.

How old do you have to be to have an OnlyFans?

Users need to be aged 18+ to sign up and create an OnlyFans account. This is stated in the OnlyFans policy guidelines. 

How safe is OnlyFans?

The emergence of OnlyFans accounts has significantly transformed the landscape of the adult entertainment industry. 

While it provides a platform for adult content creators to share their sexual content and connect with their fans, it has also raised concerns about the potential for the distribution of sexually explicit content, including the illegal sharing of child sexual abuse material. 

Many online sex workers have embraced OnlyFans as a means to control their content and revenue, as it allows them to monetize their work directly. 

However, the platform faces ongoing challenges in moderating and ensuring the legality of its content, highlighting the need for stringent safeguards and vigilant oversight to protect against the exploitation of minors and the distribution of harmful material.

Is there an OnlyFans app?

There was an OnlyFans app in the platform’s early days, but a lot of platforms blocked it from their App Stores as it was being used primarily to share adult content. As a result, most people tend to access OnlyFans through their Safari browser. You can access the site both on desktop and mobile. 


Who uses OnlyFans?

A broad range of different types of people and professions use OnlyFans. This spans from chefs, personal trainers and musicians to amateur and professional pornography actresses. 

On top of this, many users are also influencers and models who also use the platform as an additional income stream. 

Many musicians use the platform to engage with their fans and release new music, whilst creating a more intimate connection with their followers.  

Many notable celebrities also use the platform with big names such as Bella Thorne, Blac Chyna and Cardi B all having accounts since its creation in 2016. Read more about top OnlyFans earners.

A lot of amateur content creators joined the platform throughout the coronavirus pandemic as a way to increase their income. 

How much can you make on OnlyFans?

Content creators make money on OnlyFans by subscriptions and single content requests. There is much potential to make large amounts of money from the platform if you know how. Check out our most on how much you can make on OnlyFans to find out more. 

Some celebrities, such as Bella Thorne, have been known to make millions from the platform in just a few hours. But, for amateur content creators, it can be difficult to make large amounts of money until you grow your subscribers substantially. 

Read our post on how to get more followers on OnlyFans to learn more about how to grow your subscribers. 

While there is the opportunity to make a lot of money on the platform, it all depends on how good your content is and how big your following is.

One of the BEST ways to make money from your account is to work with an agency like MatchingFans who can help you to approach the site strategically.

By providing advice around the type of content to post, when to post it and top tips on how to grow your following fast, we can help you reach new heights on the platform.

An agency like MatchingFans can also manage all the day-to-day running of your account, which involves a lot of interacting with your followers. 

A big part of having a successful OnlyFans account is engaging with your fans and replying to DMs around the clock. This can be very time consuming but essential to keep your fans coming back for more and prevent them from going elsewhere to view content. 

By taking this off your to do list we can free up your time to focus on creating high quality content for your subscribers. 

Frequently asked questions

What does OnlyFans do?

OnlyFans is a social media platform that allows content creators to charge users for viewing their content. This can include everything from adult content, to recipe and fitness videos. It provides a platform where creators can make money from their content and allows people to engage with their followers. 

Why are people joining OnlyFans?

People may choose to join OnlyFans for a variety of reasons, as it offers a unique platform with diverse opportunities. Here are some common motivations for people to join OnlyFans:

Financial Income: One of the primary reasons people join OnlyFans is to earn money. Creators can monetize their content, such as exclusive photos, videos, or other forms of digital content, and charge subscribers a fee to access it. This can be a source of income, especially for creators with a significant following or niche content. As OnlyFans only takes a 20% cut, it’s one of the best ways for content creators to have more financial freedom when it comes to making money from their content. It allows creators to have much more financial freedom than other places online so provides a great way for people to make money.

Content Control: OnlyFans gives creators full control over their content. They can create and share content without the restrictions and censorship often found on other social media platforms. This is appealing to creators who want to share explicit, adult, or niche content without fear of being banned or demonetized.

Direct Interaction: OnlyFans allows creators to interact directly with their fans and subscribers. This one-on-one interaction can be fulfilling for both creators and fans, as it fosters a sense of community and intimacy.

Monetizing Fanbase: For individuals with an established online presence, OnlyFans can be a way to monetize their existing fanbase or followers. They can offer exclusive content to their most dedicated supporters, creating a sense of exclusivity.

Creative Freedom: Creators can express themselves freely on OnlyFans, pursuing their artistic or creative interests without worrying about conforming to mainstream content standards.

Privacy: OnlyFans allows creators to maintain a level of anonymity if desired. They can use pseudonyms or maintain separation between their OnlyFans persona and their personal life.

Diverse Content: OnlyFans isn't limited to adult content. While it initially gained popularity for this type of content, creators from various niches, such as fitness, art, cooking, music, and more, have found success on the platform.

Flexibility: OnlyFans offers a flexible schedule, allowing creators to set their own hours and work from anywhere with an internet connection. This appeals to individuals looking for a side income or those with unconventional work schedules.

Community Support: Some creators enjoy the supportive community of other creators on OnlyFans, sharing tips, advice, and camaraderie.

Empowerment: For some creators, OnlyFans can be empowering as it allows them to take control of their own financial destiny and gain independence in their careers.

It's important to note that while OnlyFans can be a lucrative and empowering platform for some, it may not be suitable for everyone, and there can be challenges and risks involved, such as the need to manage online harassment, maintain privacy, and adhere to platform policies. Individuals considering joining OnlyFans should carefully assess whether it aligns with their goals and values before doing so.

What content is on OnlyFans?

There’s a huge range of different types of content available on OnlyFans. On the platform you’ll find music, recipes, fitness videos and comedy alongside adult photos and videos. 

What is banned on OnlyFans?

OnlyFans has strict policies against any forms of racism or hate speech. Other than these policies, most other types of content are allowed on the site. Users are allowed to post nudity and adult content on the platform. There was a stage in 2021 where nudity was going to be banned from the platform but there was a backlash from sex workers and funds were secured to ensure the policy changes were no longer made. 

Can you be anonymous on OnlyFans?

Yes, you can be anonymous on OnlyFans but you might find it harder to make as much money from your content. Using a fake name is one of the key ways people stay anonymous on the platform. One of the best ways to grow your fans is by linking to your OnlyFans from your other social media accounts – which isn’t possible if you want to keep your OnlyFans anonymous. 

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