Content Sharing Platforms – The Elephant in the Room
For many Gen Zers and millennials, there’s no better career choice than being a content creator and spreading the word about your brand. Influencers are vital in everything from marketing to thought leadership, with almost 80% of businesses now utilizing their power for their marketing tactics.
In today’s digital space, influencers have access to various platforms where they can share their ideas, content, brand deals, daily blogs, and even x-rated material for adult audiences. However, many of these platforms now face scrutiny and even bans.
One of the most recent platforms to face scrutiny is TikTok, the Chinese-created social media platform that has raised questions about privacy and user data. Some states have already banned the platform on government-issued and school-issued devices.
Platforms like TikTok and Meta, which were once popular and profitable for content creators, are now facing uncertainty due to issues such as layoffs and lack of customer service for influencers. Fanfix is stepping in as a unique alternative, specifically targeting Gen Z creators.
What is Fanfix?
Fanfix is similar to Patreon, a platform where creators from YouTube and other outlets, such as Twitch, can host exclusive content and charge users a monthly fee for early access to unique videos, blogs, and more.
Fanfix is much the same, and was created in 2021 by Harry Gestetner, Simon Pompan, and Cameron Dallas. Dallas himself is a 28-year-old YouTube and Vine influencer from California.
In 2022, SuperOrdinary acquired Fanfix, a platform that helps bring together brands, creators, and consumers. This acquisition has helped elevate the content creator marketplace and has also aided in spreading the word to other influencers.
Today, Fanfix claims to have 10 million users and 3,000 creators (and growing). Some of the many benefits this platform offers to creators include:
- The ability to earn tips on posts
- Set your own subscription prices
- Set your own tip to DM prices (money from private messaging)
- 80% of all earnings (with 20% taken byFanfix to cover costs for running the platform)
What really sets Fanfix apart for a lot of users is the vibe—yeah, “vibe” isn’t scientific, but you get it. There’s a sense that Fanfix is trying to keep things clean and, honestly, less predatory-feeling than some of the alternatives. It’s kind of refreshing to see a platform market itself as intentionally age-friendly, since that isn’t always the case in the wild west world of online content. Some creators have talked about appreciating the transparency from the team, too—little things like better support or fewer weird algorithm changes go a long way, even if there’s no perfect platform.
And while Fanfix does take a 20% cut, it sticks to its own lane instead of shifting rules every ten minutes. That consistency is part of its draw. Several creators who’ve jumped ship from other sites have pointed out how exhausting it is when the revenue model gets yanked out from under you, or policies flip overnight. Fanfix doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but right now, its lane is pretty predictable. At least as predictable as anything gets out here.
Fanfix and Age-friendly Materials
Perhaps the biggest difference between Fanfix and other platforms, such as Onlyfans and Patreon, is the lack of nudity and other NSFW material on the platform.
Both Patreon and Onlyfans allow nudity on their platforms, which might lead Gen Z creators to feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
Fanfix is attempting to appeal to Gen Z audiences by providing a safer alternative to these platforms, while still allowing them to earn quite a bit of money and interact with their audiences more exclusively.
All DMs (personal messages) and content are viewed by a moderator, ensuring that this platform is free of users who might want to take advantage of younger content creators.
Why Gen Z Continues to Choose Fanfix
Another factor that might be influencing Gen Zers to flock to the platform is that it is still quite competitive to earn their spot on the platform. All creators on Fanfix must have a minimum of 10,000 followers on their social media accounts.
If you own a Fanfix, you can inform others that you already have a following and want to boost user engagement by hosting pay-walled content.
Speaking of paywalls, Gestetner told Forbes in a recent interview that Gen Zers do, in fact, appreciate exclusive content. Imagine growing up in a world where all the shows you want, from Netflix series to YouTube videos, were free with the click of a button.
This is the world Gen Zers were born into, and one that valued exclusivity over accessibility in terms of content.
Fanfix and the Future
Of course, only time will tell if Fanfix is here to stay, or if other more well-established paywall content platforms will continue to overshadow it. Meanwhile, Gen Zers now have their pick of platforms to create, share and, of course, consume content.
