According to Executive Digest, between January and November 2024, the Portuguese spent approximately €22 million on the OnlyFans platform, an increase of 12% compared to the same period in 2023.

A turning point

The OnlyFans platform was launched in 2016 with the aim of monetising the work of artists, influencers and even educators among their fans. The goal was to provide a direct monetisation platform, with viewing fees or monthly fees if users wanted to follow a specific account.

However, during the pandemic, the platform began to be used for sexual purposes, without any advertising to that effect having been done by the social network. From then on, the OnlyFans platform grew and, if in 2019 it had 13.5 million users, by 2024 the number had risen to 377.5 million. In the same period, spending on the app increased from €199 million to €6 billion.

Daniel Cardoso, a lecturer at Lusófona University, told Expresso newspaper that changes in how platforms such as OnlyFans are used show how online relationships have become normalised, mainly due to time constraints and the faster pace of daily life.

Parasocial relationships

Despite being popularly linked to pornographic content, OnlyFans users report that the platform is important for creating parasocial relationships. In other words, those who pay to watch certain content, sexual or otherwise, will acquire more than just images, as it creates a fantasy of an emotional connection, made through a contract.

Mariana Branco, author of a thesis on OnlyFans, cited by Executive Digest, states that most creators are women who sell the girlfriend experience. In other words, a simulation of virtual dating. According to the author, the connection becomes difficult to break, especially for users who live in solitude. However, these relationships can reinforce the idea that women should be submissive, the author reveals.

Associated risks

According to Executive Digest, a Reuters investigation conducted in 2024 revealed that cases of sexual abuse and exploitation had been identified through the platform.

In Portugal, according to Antas da Cunha Ecija, a lawyer, the Digital Services Regulation requires users to be identified and tracked. In Portuguese cybercrime law, mechanisms for investigation and cooperation with authorities are provided for, if necessary.

Low profits

Although the overall figures are high, creators earn little compared to the platform's earnings. Executive Digest reveals that the €6 billion spent by users globally was distributed among 4.6 million creators, which corresponds to about €130 per person per month. However, some people manage to earn higher amounts by being active on other social networks.