OnlyFans is changing its business model and it could put a lot of people out of business.
So OnlyFans is stopping sexually explicit content from being on the platform. To be honest it’s a bold move on the part of ownership. Seeing how the platform gained notoriety and popularity through its offering of sexually explicit material, to now ban said content is a major risk. But since the company wishes to go mainstream, it appears that they are intent on “cleaning up” their image.
With that said, how will this shift in focus affect those in the fitness industry?
Let’s face it, there are plenty of individuals in the fitness space that have OnlyFans accounts. Many of them are bodybuilders in the bodybuilding community and have leveraged their physiques to make additional or even full time income with OnlyFans. Some have specifically done that through creating sexually explicit material, muscle worship coming to mind in this case.
The platform banning this content will put many sex workers out of a job and will also affect a segment of the fitness community negatively. While it’s possible that certain raunchy imagery may still be allowed on the platform, explicit content will certainly not be allowed.
Fitness Influencers On The Platform
Not everyone who uses the platform however posts explicit content. In fact there are a great deal of individuals that use the platform to connect directly with their fans. DJ, producer, and fitness entrepreneur James Haskell uses the platform to his advantage. It’s an opportunity to connect with his fans in a different space. Former boxing world champion Tony Bellew also uses the platform much in the same way. Women’s fitness influencers Jennifer Tavernier and Erica Fontaine also use the platform to their advantage.
This includes none other than the current reigning UFC middleweight champion himself Israel Adesanya.
The enigmatic and popular UFC champion has been on the platform since January of this year and has used it to his benefit. Israel Adesanya has posted content that many of his fans wouldn’t see otherwise all through the lens of safe for work content. But even Adesanya had a thing or two to say about the new direction of the OnlyFans platform.
The UFC Champ Shares His Thoughts
“So no more sexually explicit content…lol ok.
“I think it’s BS, but I get why they have to if OF wants to go mainstream. The biggest network online is the porn network. They’ve dictated the trends for a long time.
“I’m still here though, just dropping likkle gems from time. I still got plenty in the archives…stay tuned ????”
“So no more sexually explicit content…lol ok.This shift in business practices may not completely implode the platform. After all, many athletes and celebrities will still find a way to monetize through OnlyFans.
But for those who relied on the network to pay their bills through explicit means, this shift in focus has been a devastating blow. As time moves forward, we’ll see just how much this change to OnlyFans will affect the fitness and bodybuilding community.
Honestly, big sweeping moves like this by corporations can be extremely harmful to the very people they want using their invention. In a way it’s understandable that they want to shift their image. In another it takes away income and autonomy from people looking to make a living.
But we could look at things through a different lens as well. Perhaps removing the stigma of sec could help fitness influencers thrive with training programs. If the public views the site in a different light it could perhaps bring more mainstream attention and more eyes to the platform. More eyes on the platform means more possibilities for non sex related creators to thrive.
What do you think of OnlyFans shifting focus? For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
