Napier Lopez is an American writer. He is interested in tech, science and photography and he likes to yo yo (show all). Napier Lopez is a New York City-based writer. He is interested in all things tech-related, including science and photography, and enjoys yo-yoing in his spare time. Follow him on Twitter
OnlyFans is not something I have used, as with Tumblr. You don't have to be on these platforms to see the obvious: banning porn is dumb.
Today, OnlyFans (via Bloomberg) announced that creators will be prohibited from posting explicit material beginning in October. Although nude photos and videos are still allowed, this move is misguided and a rebuke to the sex workers who helped build the platform.
No matter how you use the app or not, OnlyFans is synonymous to porn. Although there is a variety of content available on the app, OnlyFans thrives on being an open platform for those who want to post explicit content. It is its sex workers that are responsible for the app's brand recognition and user influx, which has allowed it to reach a reported valuation exceeding $1 billion.
OnlyFans stated that in order to ensure long-term sustainability and to continue hosting an inclusive community, creators and fans, it was necessary to update its content guidelines. Bloomberg said the company would provide additional guidance on the policy later.
The company acknowledges that the decision was made in response to pressure from banks and payment providers. OnlyFans believes it can survive without porn. Otherwise, it would not have succumbed to the pressure. To see the possibility of history repeating itself, one only needs to look at Tumblr's example.
Statista reports that Tumblr had more than 520 million monthly users before the 2018 porn ban. This number fell to 370 millions in just a few months.
The number of users on the service, which now has 320 million, has continued to drop over the years. Tumblr is unlikely to be engaging in much of the social media conversation, as it rarely enters the public discussion about social networks.
Tumblr was purchased by Yahoo for a mere $3 million dollars in 2013. Tumblr was purchased by WordPress parent Automattic in 2019 for $3 million. This is less than what it would cost to purchase a NYC-style shoebox apartment.
I don't know if OnlyFans' value will drop that much. Its business model (it takes 20% of sales) makes it easier to monetize than Tumblr.
It wouldn't surprise me if Tumblrs decline was followed by it. The internet loves porn. Do not give the internet porn, and then take it.
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