London-based OnlyFans, the subscription-based content platform that has reshaped digital entrepreneurship, has reached a staggering milestone in its payouts to creators.
According to Bloomberg, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Keily Blair, announced that OnlyFans has distributed a total of $25 billion to content producers since its inception in 2016. This figure underscores the platform’s explosive growth and its pivotal role in the burgeoning creator economy, where individuals from diverse backgrounds can monetise their talents directly with global audiences.
Founded as a versatile space for creators to share exclusive material—ranging from fitness tutorials and culinary tips to artistic photography and more intimate offerings—OnlyFans quickly gained traction amid the economic disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. As reported by Business Standard in early 2024, the site had already disbursed nearly $15 billion to its community by that point, with annual payouts climbing steadily. By October 2024, Bloomberg noted that the cumulative total had surged to $20 billion, serving over four million active creators. The latest revelation from Blair, shared during a Bloomberg Tech London event, highlights an additional $5 billion injected into creators’ pockets over the past year alone, reflecting a 19 per cent year-on-year increase in gross payments to $6.63 billion for 2023, as detailed in Subscription Insider’s coverage of the company’s financial disclosures.
This rapid escalation in earnings is not merely a testament to OnlyFans’ business acumen but also to the ingenuity of its users. The platform operates on a creator-friendly model, allowing producers to retain 80 per cent of subscription fees, tips, and pay-per-view content revenue, while the company takes a modest 20 per cent cut. Such terms have democratised income streams, particularly for those in creative fields often overlooked by traditional media. For instance, Investing.com highlighted Blair’s recent comments on the platform’s appeal, emphasising how it fosters genuine human connections that artificial intelligence struggles to replicate. She pointed out that subscribers crave authentic interactions, which has helped OnlyFans maintain its edge against emerging tech-driven competitors.
Beyond the numbers, the platform’s evolution reveals broader societal shifts. Launched in a pre-pandemic world with modest ambitions, OnlyFans now boasts more than 239 million registered fans and 3.1 million creators, according to figures cited by Business Standard. Its 2023 pre-tax profits reached $658 million—a 25 per cent rise from the prior year—fuelled by diversified content categories that extend well beyond adult entertainment. Initiatives like OFTV, the ad-free streaming service featuring non-explicit videos from musicians, comedians, and wellness experts, have broadened its reach and addressed regulatory scrutiny over age verification and content moderation. As Variety reported in 2022, gross revenue had already doubled to $4.8 billion by late 2021, with creators earning $3.86 billion that year alone—a 115 per cent jump from 2020.
Critics, however, continue to debate the platform’s societal footprint. Concerns persist around the concentration of earnings among top performers and the potential for exploitation in a hyper-competitive environment. Business Insider’s 2022 analysis of high-earning creators revealed that while a select few, such as model Blac Chyna, reportedly amassed fortunes exceeding $20 million annually, the majority navigate fierce rivalry, with over 50 million users but many accounts attracting few subscribers. Moreover, as Subscription Insider observed, owner Leonid Radvinsky’s substantial dividends—totalling nearly $1 billion over three years—raise questions about wealth distribution in the gig economy. Yet, proponents argue that OnlyFans empowers marginalised voices, offering financial independence in an era of stagnant wages and economic inequality.
Looking ahead, Blair’s optimism signals sustained momentum. During the Bloomberg event, she dismissed fears of AI encroachment, asserting that the irreplaceable essence of human creativity will keep creators at the forefront. With regulatory landscapes evolving—particularly in the UK and EU, where stricter online safety laws loom—OnlyFans is investing in enhanced verification tools and community guidelines to safeguard users. As the platform approaches its tenth anniversary, its $25 billion payout odyssey not only celebrates creator triumphs but also spotlights a digital frontier where innovation meets aspiration, promising even greater opportunities for the next wave of entrepreneurial talents.