OnlyFans, the internet content subscription service that became known for adult content, jumped further into the spotlight around two years ago, when COVID-induced lockdowns inspired many who had relied on in-person revenue, such as sex workers, entertainers, and artists to find new ways of reaching their audience. 

But what’s transpired since then? And who continues to use the platform–either as a contributor or a subscriber? 

CivicScience data show just under half of the U.S. adult population has heard of OnlyFans. While just 2% of respondents are OnlyFans creators, 4% plan to be. Slightly more respondents (4%) are subscribers, with another 4% planning to become subscribers as well.  A good portion of respondents used to contribute or subscribe but don’t anymore.

While OF tends to distance itself from adult content, the site is largely synonymous with it. In general, CivicScience data show that roughly half of U.S. adults look at adult content online, excluding those who prefer not to say.

Looking at OnlyFans subscribers by frequency of adult content consumed, more than half of current subscribers surveyed say they view adult content daily or weekly.

Demographics of OnlyFans Creators and Subscribers 

When looking at age data you see just how much OnlyFans is dominated by the youngest population. The largest percentage of contributors and subscribers are 18-24 years old, making up nearly half of these groups, respectively. Those who plan to subscribe are most likely to be 25-34, thus suggesting a potential broadening age range among those who use the platform. 

While current contributors, current subscribers, and intended subscribers are slightly more likely to be male, the gender split is pretty even, perhaps bucking the idea that just men consume adult content. Those who plan to be contributors are more likely to be female. It’s worth noting, however, that 57% of those who used to be contributors are women, suggesting that something about their contributor experience didn’t support their using the platform for the long term. 

Profiling OnlyFans Contributors

When looking specifically at the contributor experience, we can see that current contributors are most likely to work in an office, while those who plan to become contributors are unemployed. So while some may turn to OnlyFans as a creative outlet outside of their regular gig (and pay), others may be turning to it out of financial need or an alternative main gig.

Whatever the reason for getting started, OnlyFans contributors are happier than any of their counterparts. This could be in part due to the fact that the majority of current and former OnlyFans contributors report being financially better off than they were before the pandemic. So while the pandemic may have brought on a need for contributors to find alternate income streams, this necessity seems to have potentially led to an increase in joy. 

The Psyche of the OnlyFans Subscriber

Further data connects subscribing to OnlyFans and boosted self-esteem. OF Subscribers are much more likely to think of themselves as more attractive than their peers. Is the direct, more personalized interaction with your adult content provider that the content platform provides a replacement for confidence?

This boost could translate to overall wellbeing and happiness, too: subscribers tend to experience a lot of happiness, though not quite as much as contributors report. Another correlation we see that is also observed in the contributor data above is those who aren’t interested also report high levels of happiness.

It’s clear that OnlyFans is growing both in contributors and subscribers, and it’s not only helping creators financially, but potentially boosting the self-esteem of its user base, too. Will OnlyFans be the future of adult content? The future may already be here.