What Is It?

Fanvue is a subscription-based social media platform that allows creators to earn money for their content in exchange for a percentage of those earnings. It was founded in 2020 – perhaps to harness the digital confines of the pandemic – and has since grown to 60,000+ creators. It is the partner of this year’s ‘Miss AI’ – the world’s first beauty pageant for AI-generated models and is considered one of OnlyFans’ main rivals. Adult creators make up the majority of its users, although artists, chefs, and fitness gurus also use it to reach their most loyal following. And, like OnlyFans, Fanvue takes 20% of a user’s revenue. So how does it differ from the competition? Let’s take a look. 

AI-Generated Content

Fanve welcomes AI-generated content on its platform, with some AI models amassing millions of followers and thousands in revenue, including Aitana Lopez, whose creator is on the judges panel for ‘Miss AI’. Another AI model, Emily Pellegrini, reportedly has famous footballers and billionaires sliding into her DMs – with Fanvue claiming she earned $10,000 in six weeks. 

OnlyFans allows AI-generated content on its platform but in a much stricter capacity, almost deterring creators from using it. Fanvue, on the other hand, encourages AI-generated content from its community. 

“Fanvue welcomes and embraces the use of AI-generated or enhanced media, it's quickly becoming part of our daily lives, and it's here to stay.” – Fanvue

AI To Increase Earnings

The ‘always on’ requirements for many creators on these platforms is something that prevents them from earning big money – it’s not easy to constantly keep in touch with fans, personalise responses and give each one the ‘girlfriend treatment’. Fanvue has taken advantage of this by using AI to ‘increase earnings’; creators can utilise instant AI-generated voice notes and 24/7 messaging – giving the illusion of always being there, even when they’re not. 

This feature stands out in comparison to OnlyFans, where creators spend a lot of time personally nurturing their fanbase, although an argument could be made that instant voice notes and messages swindles fans who are paying for personalised and intimate care when there isn’t actually a person on the other side of the screen. 

What’s The Age Verification Like?

Age verification on Fanvue varies between creators and fans. While all users must be 18+, creating an account to observe others only requires a tickbox. This means minors could potentially be exposed to adult content, although, like with most subscription services, a debit/credit card must be provided to view creators. 

To post content, Fanvue requires enhanced age verification through facial recognition. Many adult subscription-based services are criticised for verification inaccuracy, creating a gateway for predators and putting teens at risk of child sexual abuse. We are concerned that Fanvue takes the same half-hearted approach by using age verification that only takes a ‘few minutes’ – giving the impression that it uses AI to review identification. Without a real person double and triple checking, there is a likelihood of minors turning to Fanvue – a platform designed for adults – through fake identities. There is also the risk of AI-generated content using the likeness of a real person – although Fanvue tries to combat this through its ‘Reasonable Person's Test’, which is conducted by three or more members of the moderation team. Still, we can’t expect this to be 100% accurate, turning Fanvue into a potential pipeline for deepfakes and revenge porn.

To Conclude

Just like OnlyFans, Fanvue is not an appropriate platform for children and teens. And as OnlyFans becomes increasingly under spotlight, we expect more challenger services like Fanvue to crop up. While we welcome Fanvue’s pragmatic approach to AI, we have serious reservations about the platform’s optimism for positive usage – is it really possible to weed out all the deep fakes and likeness? Is content removal or account bans enough to keep culprits at bay? Only time will tell.