OnlyFans to Ban Sexual Content Starting in October…But to What Extent?

As first reported by Bloomberg earlier today, OnlyFans—the hugely popular content creation platform that many sex workers rely on for income—has released a statement noting that starting October 1st, the platform will “prohibit the posting of any content containing sexually-explicit conduct.”

The company noted that more details would be shared in the coming days, and that the changes are being initiated “to comply with the requests of our banking partners and payout providers” (as noted by Lucas Shaw of Bloomberg, OnlyFans is trying to raise money from outside investors at a valuation of more than $1 billion). Here is the full statement from OnlyFans, as shared on Twitter by Axios Business Editor Dan Primack:

“In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of our platform, and continue to host an inclusive community of creators and fans, we must evolve our content guidelines,” wrote the company. It’s another step in the company pivoting away from porn, following the launch earlier this year of its SFW/non-nude content mobile app.

Performer Roman Todd posted this communication with an OnlyFans rep on Twitter today, with the rep noting that they “do not plan on moving away from adult content”:

What kinda bull shit is going on? Someone is full of shit! pic.twitter.com/lXRzy0YAaL

— ROMANTODD, LLC (@RomanToddNYC) August 19, 2021

Performer Ricky Larkin responded to Roman, noting he thinks many performers won’t be affected by the changes:

It’s highly probable that the changes are worse than Todd and Larkin are conveying, and that the OnlyFans rep who responded to Todd is just giving a canned reply as the company itself hasn’t offered anything more specific (and since it isn’t October 1st yet, the terms technically haven’t changed). And the platform will still allow nude photos, so in that sense it would still be some adult content.

Part of the confusion stems from conflicting reports in the media about exactly what is being eliminated. One article stated:

“Users will still be able to post nude photos and videos as long as they adhere to company policy, which states that content creators cannot show, promote or advertise: Incest, bestiality, violence, rape, lack of consent, hypnosis, intoxication, sexual assault, torture, sadomasochistic abuse or hardcore bondage, extreme fisting, or genital mutilation. Also included are: escort services, sex trafficking, or prostitution, revenge porn, necrophilia, or urine, scatological, or excrement-related material.”

Falcon|NakedSword Exclusive Cade Maddox shared this with The Sword after communicating with another industry insider: “From what I understand, they are not blocking explicit content that is uploaded CREATORS—in other terms, individuals who have verified their account. However, they will be blocking content by individuals who do not have a verified account.” (That would make it similar to what Pornhub did late last year.)

Performers weighed in on Twitter with varying degrees of reaction:

It’s always good to have a rough idea of planning ahead, but I’m not weighing in until I read official news from OF itself (as opposed to online articles by Variety, CNET, etc.)

— Griffin Barrows (@griffinbarrowsx) August 19, 2021

There is a difference between nude and being "sexually explicit." The OF Statement clearly say no sexually-explicit videos. This means you can be NAKED in a photo or video but not having sex. Unless this is clarified or back tracked, the platform is DEAD.

— Owen Hawk (NYC 9/2-9/12) (@OwenHawkXXX) August 19, 2021

https://twitter.com/CalvinBanksxxx/status/1428480441581977602

I feel like this happens every few months. Every single time they change there terms. I’m so over it at this point. Everyone! Please check out my @4myfansofficial page. Link in bio.

— Brock Banks (@Brock_Banks_) August 19, 2021

Faced with the reality that OnlyFans may no longer allow explicit content, Falcon|NakedSword Exclusive Beau Butler told this to The Sword: “I am definitely a little gutted and scared. I would be more scared if JustForFans wasn’t as established as it is. I will be funneling my energy into JFF, Pornhub, 4my.fans and possibly Patreon. I feel like the amateur porn movement is bigger than any one platform, so I hope OnlyFans competitors step their pussies up and seize the gap in the market.”

JustFor.fans founder Dominic Ford released this statement on the news:

“The adult industry is sadly used to companies cutting their teeth on the adult market and then abandoning them once they reach critical mass. JustFor.fans was founded and built by and for sex workers and its staff is 100% comprised of sex workers and people who have been in the porn industry for many, many years. We are a porn site. That will never change and we have no interest in ‘mainstreaming.’ JustFor.fans is number two in traffic to OnlyFans, and we are well-poised to make sure adult content creators are not abandoned. We welcome them all to our website. We believe we have the most innovative platform out there, and are constantly evolving to meet the needs of our community. We welcome everyone to check us out.”

4myFans creator and acclaimed porn performer Austin Wolf also shared this message on Twitter, encouraging sex industry workers to copy their OnlyFans content to other services as soon as possible:

The end of #onlyfans adult content is here. We welcome you all at #4myfans https://t.co/liCf3qxde6 https://t.co/liCf3qxde6 pic.twitter.com/g4XKsO4le7

— 4myFans Guys (@4myfansofficial) August 19, 2021

As we wait for more information, and assuming that the worst possible scenario is indeed happening, what do you think of the development? Do you have many OnlyFans subscriptions? Do you think other similar platforms will be faced with similar struggles at some point?