INTERDEPENDENT PLATFORMS: ONLYFANS AS NSFW SOCIAL MEDIA LAYER

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of 200 memes about content subscription platform OnlyFans to discover that the platform imaginary is of heterosexual women posting adult, or Not Safe For Work (NSFW) content. This platform imaginary contrasts with OnlyFans' corporate communication, which insists that OnlyFans is for influencers of all kinds. This challenges the platform imaginary, revealing two main strategies for this emerging platform. First, that it would like to be known as a broader platform than just for NSFW content creators – despite the platform imaginary that sets up an expectation of seeing nude and lewd content. Second, that OnlyFans is not a “home base” or core platform from which to create a profile and make connections. OnlyFans does not act as an independent social media platform, but as one of many layers.