OnlyFans’ proposed ban of explicit content

You may have seen the recent news from popular website OnlyFans, about its plans to ban sexually explicit content on its platform from October 1, 2021. The company is one of the world’s fastest-growing social platforms, and it involves members paying a fee to view a creator’s posts.

OnlyFans currently has more than 30 million registered users and more than 450,000 content creators. The latter can post different kinds of content that appeals to their audiences. The site, however, has earned its reputation as a hotspot for influencers to post sexually explicit photos and videos.

Recently, the company stated that it was to ban the explicit content that has made the site so successful. The decision was apparently due to pressure from partners Mastercard and Visa, who no longer wished to support the site due to the content it sported. In response to OnlyFans’ announcement, thousands of creators who make a full time living from the site frantically looked for other platforms that would allow sexually explicit material to be posted and purchased. OnlyFans’ competitors have therefore been gearing up for an influx of new members.

There are a number of OnlyFans’ creators who don’t attract lots of subscribers, through one reason or another. Though they earn enough to pay their bills, they’re likely to struggle to attract followers on platforms on which they’re not already active. The famous saying ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’ is relevant here. If your business/income is reliant on just one form of social media, what would happen if that platform was to move its goalposts? It can take a while to build up your following to the same level on another site, and your business may suffer as a consequence.

Different social media channels are better positioned to carry different types of content. They can all benefit your business in different ways, and you should research them all thoroughly before forming your social media marketing strategy, to ensure it’s as effective as possible.

OnlyFans saw a huge backlash because of its announcement, and it’s therefore no surprise that it decided to ‘postpone’ its ban on sexually explicit content. It’s not clear exactly what the company wants to change or enforce instead, as it’s only put forward brief statements on the subject. This hasn’t been enough to stop creators joining other social media sites, though—just in case OnlyFans changes its mind again. In the creators’ minds, the sooner they set up alternatives, the easier it will be for them to keep their fans.

Creators have lost trust in OnlyFans, so it’s little wonder that they’re preparing a ‘Plan B’. For this reason, and in any business, it’s a good idea to create multiple income streams.