When Was OnlyFans Invented? 2016 Explained

💡 Quick Why You Care

If you’ve ever wondered, “When was OnlyFans invented?” — you’re not alone. A lot of folks type that into Google when they see a headline about creators using the platform, or when an influencer mates content with business chat. Knowing the origin story isn’t just trivia; it helps you understand how a tiny startup turned into a cash machine for creators, and why platforms like this exploded during the late 2010s and early 2020s.

This article walks you through the timeline (spoiler: 2016), who built it, the ownership changes that mattered, and how OnlyFans’ identity shifted from niche to mainstream. We’ll also show earnings snapshots, platform pivots, and local Aussie-flavoured takeaways so you can make sense of what that date actually means for creators, marketers, and curious people who want the real picture — not just clickbait.

📊 Timeline & Growth Snapshot

This table pulls together the core timeline: OnlyFans truly began in 2016 under Guy and Tim Stokely. The big turning point came in 2018 when Leonid Radvinsky (via the holding company Fenix International) took a controlling stake — a move that preceded a big acceleration in growth, especially during the pandemic years. By the year ending 30 November 2023, Fenix reported a profit of roughly $485,500,000, about 20% up from the prior year — and public filings showed Radvinsky received over $1 billion in dividends across the last three reported years. Those numbers are the kind of hard receipts that explain why the platform is investing in more mainstream creators (trainers, comedians, singers) rather than just adult content.

Why it matters: the origin date (2016) tells you the platform isn’t some overnight viral app — it was built with a subscription-first model that later found product-market fit as creator monetisation blew up. The ownership change in 2018 set the commercial engines running, and the profit/dividend figures show the platform’s monetisation machine is mature.

😎 MaTitie SHOW TIME

Hi, I’m MaTitie — the author of this post, a bloke who loves a good deal and doesn’t mind poking around the web’s seedy corners for the right scoop. I’ve tried lots of VPNs and seen how platform blocks and geo-restrictions can wreck a creator’s day.

Here’s the short version: if you want privacy, faster streaming, and fewer “not available in your region” headaches while browsing creator platforms, a solid VPN helps. For Aussies, speed and reliability matter — and I’ve found NordVPN ticks the boxes.

👉 🔐 Try NordVPN now — 30-day risk-free. It’s helped me access content reliably, keep my browsing private, and avoid messy ISP throttling.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, MaTitie might earn a small commission.

💡 How OnlyFans’ 2016 Start Explains Today’s Platform Moves

OnlyFans’ founding in 2016 matters because it was designed from the start as a subscription-content platform, a model that later matched perfectly with creator-first monetisation. Unlike ad-driven social networks, OnlyFans let creators charge fans directly — a simple idea, but one that became priceless when content creators needed direct revenue streams in 2020–2022.

The takeover in 2018 by Leonid Radvinsky (owner of Fenix International) provided capital and a different growth playbook: tighter monetisation, payouts, and a tolerance for the adult content economy that many platforms shied away from. Those policy choices made OnlyFans the default for many sex workers and adult creators, but the platform didn’t stop there. Recent strategy shifts are explicit: OnlyFans has been recruiting trainers, comedians, and singers to diversify the creator base and soften its single-niche image.

This pivot shows up in the money. Fenix’s accounting — a reported profit of roughly $485.5 million for the year ending 30 November 2023 and a ~20% increase versus the prior year — tells you the platform’s business model is more than just headlines. The owner’s dividends (over $1 billion across three years) indicate strong cash extraction for shareholders, which in turn funds expansion efforts.

On campus and in media, the platform still generates debate. Recent coverage highlights both the appeal (fast cash for students, creator autonomy) and the problems (safety, stigma, legal concerns). For example, reporting shows a surge in student sign-ups on college campuses seeking quick revenue — a trend that reignites discussions about regulation and support systems for young creators [Fox News, 2025-09-07]. At the same time, creators from other fields praise the platform’s direct-pay setup and its treatment of creators versus legacy services [Know Your Mobile, 2025-09-07].

There are human stories too: some creators credit OnlyFans with career rescues or second acts — a sentiment reflected in feature pieces like ABC’s profile on Renee Gracie, who said the platform helped restore confidence and bankroll a motorsport return [ABC News (AU), 2025-09-06].

Prediction time: expect more mainstream creators and brands to test subscription tiers on OnlyFans-style platforms, while regulatory scrutiny and platform policy will keep evolving. Platforms that started with adult-first reputations will keep trying to broaden to reduce reputational risk and build sustainable ad and partnership opportunities.

🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ When exactly did OnlyFans start, and who created it?

💬 Answer: OnlyFans launched in 2016, founded by British father-and-son entrepreneurs Guy and Tim Stokely. The model—subscription-based direct payments—was central from day one.

🛠️ Who owns OnlyFans now and why does that matter?

💬 Answer: Leonid Radvinsky, via Fenix International, became the majority owner in 2018. That ownership change accelerated commercialisation and growth, and company filings show significant profits and dividends in recent years.

🧠 Is OnlyFans still mainly adult content or is it diversifying?

💬 Answer: OnlyFans is diversifying — the platform has been actively recruiting trainers, comedians and singers to broaden its creator mix. But adult content remains a sizable and influential part of the user base, so the platform sits between niches and mainstream by design.

🧩 Final Thoughts…

OnlyFans was invented in 2016 and evolved quickly from a niche subscription site into a major player in the creator economy. The 2018 ownership change set the stage for sharp growth, and by late 2023 the platform’s holding company reported hefty profits. For creators and marketers, the lesson is simple: the subscription model works when you own your fan relationships — and platforms born from that model will keep shaping income paths for creators worldwide. Watch for continued diversification, regulatory conversation, and new payment/engagement tools over the next 24 months.

📚 Further Reading

Here are 3 recent articles that give more context to this topic — all selected from verified sources. Feel free to explore 👇

🔸 OnlyFans model offers ₹88 lakh to find a husband, ₹2.64 crore for ‘impregnation deal’
🗞️ Source: Hindustan Times – 📅 2025-09-07
🔗 Read Article

🔸 Drea de Matteo releases first fully nude OnlyFans photographs – to highlight ‘geoengineering’
🗞️ Source: PerthNow – 📅 2025-09-06
🔗 Read Article

🔸 Amber Rose lobt OnlyFans als sichere Stripclub-Alternative
🗞️ Source: promiflash – 📅 2025-09-07
🔗 Read Article

😅 A Quick Shameless Plug (Hope You Don’t Mind)

If you’re creating on OnlyFans, Fansly, or similar platforms — don’t let your content go unnoticed.

🔥 Join Top10Fans — the global ranking hub built to spotlight creators like YOU.

✅ Ranked by region & category

✅ Trusted by fans in 100+ countries

🎁 Limited-Time Offer: Get 1 month of FREE homepage promotion when you join now!

📌 Disclaimer

This post blends publicly available information (including company filings) with reporting and a little bit of editorial analysis. It’s intended for informational and discussion purposes, not legal or financial advice. If anything needs correcting, hit me up and I’ll patch it — promise.