OnlyFans
OnlyFans is a social media and influencer platform. It is based in London, England, United Kingdom. The OnlyFans service can be accessed from devices with Internet connection, like smartphones, tablets and personal computers. After registration, users can create and share content on a subscription basis.[1]
The platform mimics the business model of Twitter. Therefore, it is also called the “Twitter that you pay for.”[2] It is popular within the adult entertainment industry, but also hosts content creators from other genres such as fitness experts and independent musicians.
Currently, the company is facing intense backlash over loose content sharing policies and over content that some users find offensive.[3][4]
| OnlyFans | |
|---|---|
| Type of Site | Membership Platform |
| Headquarters | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Alexa Ranking | 4233 (January 2019)[5] |
| Launched | March 2016 |
| Current Status | Active |
Contents
History
The company was launched in 2016 by Fenix International Limited as a website for social media performers to connect with their fans and to allow their followers to subscribe for a monthly fee to see clips and photos.
In the past two years, the platform has expanded as different celebrities and social media personalities joined the platform. For example, in 2017, Che McSorley, English reality television personality started charging fans for pictures of bikini shot in Dubai.[6] In the same year, Courtney Stodden urged followers to sign up for monthly subscription to her updates.[7] Moreover, Chloe Khan and Katie Salmon signed up to the platform in 2017.[8] In 2018, Love Island's Megan Barton-Hanson posted naked videos of herself online for monthly subscription.[9]
Business Model
Unlike Facebook, which only permits nudity in art or “as a form of protest, to raise awareness about a cause, or for educational or medical reasons"[10], and ”Instagram, which only permits “nudity in photos of sculptures and paintings,”[11] OnlyFans deliberately lacks restrictive content policy and permits users to share revealing or completely nude pictures of themselves in exchange for monthly membership fee.[12]
The main competitor web platforms are:[5]
- manyvids.com
- fancentro.com
- justfor.fans
- erome.com
- lpsg.com
Criticism
One of the main criticisms on OnlyFans is that it has been regarded as mainly a porn website.[3]
Despite only launching in 2016, the website has turned out to be beneficial tool for sex workers. It has been alleged that some creators merely use the app/website to share explicit photographs for pocket money, while professional sex workers employ it to produce more profits.[13]
Another major criticism on OnlyFans is from anti-LGBT groups and clubs which criticize this website for helping in democratizing gay porn.[4]
References
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