Can OnlyFans Finally Go Mainstream?
Bloomberg Originals pulls back the curtain on a platform famous for adult content and the challenges it faces in making a multibillion-dollar pivot.
A neon OnlyFans sign in the window of the company's offices in London
Photographer: Jose Sarmento Matos/BloombergIn a relatively short period of time, the website OnlyFans has gone from adult content curiosity to internet behemoth, becoming a lucrative destination for individuals selling their content to subscribers with the platform taking a healthy cut. In the process, it’s allowed a wide swath of people to make a living online—and turned its media-shy owner into a billionaire.
Recently the site has been attempting a pivot toward the mainstream in an effort to broaden its reach beyond its pornographic roots, including offerings such as OnlyFansTV and a growing number of creators who keep their clothes on. There’s even been a deal floated to sell itself for $8 billion. But given years of controversy tied to allegations of illegal material being posted on the platform, it’s an open question as to whether OnlyFans can turn the corner.