Why do customers hate PPV?

PPV (pay-per-view) content has sparked a lot of debate among OnlyFans Creators. While PPV offers a chance to earn additional revenue beyond the standard subscription fee, many subscribers are frustrated by the extra costs. 

Discussions across various Reddit threads reveal mixed feelings about PPV. Many users express frustration over having to spend more than the base subscription, with a common sentiment being a preference for creators who offer a no-PPV policy.

/u/StarDollyLuna writes, “One thing I've noticed especially recently is how much guys hate PPV. It’s a very commonly mentioned thing in review subreddits and I even gained subs who said no PPV made them subscribe” 

In this article, we'll dive into the controversy around PPV, explore insights from Reddit, and suggest strategies for balancing free and premium content effectively.

Why some subscribers dislike PPV content

Let’s explore why some subscribers are hesitant when Creators introduce PPV content.

Expectations of full access

Subscribers often expect that their monthly fee covers all the content you offer. When they’re faced with additional costs for PPV content, it can lead to frustration. They may feel that they're not getting the full value they were promise and become dissatisfied and disengaged. 

Feeling left out

PPV content might make some subscribers feel left out if they're unable or unwilling to pay more. This can create a sense of division between Creators and their audience, potentially harming the relationship over time.

 Misleading tactics

Some Creators use misleading tactics to lure subscribers into paying for PPV content that ultimately wasn't as exclusive as promised. This has led to skepticism among many fans about the true value of what they're purchasing. Subscribers don’t want to pay extra for content that’s similar to what’s already available to them. 

“In my experience, I think PPV keeps more people away from Onlyfans or other subscription services because they feel scammed. I always think about it from my perspective. If I subscribed to someone and it didn’t get me any more than what they post elsewhere or just a couple of pictures, I wouldn’t come back or stay around. Especially if I had to pay more money to buy the good content.” writes /u/Bbwcreator.

“PPV was ruined by people who abused it and that is why it’s universally hated. No one, absolutely NO ONE likes PPV heavy accounts” writes /u/ToTheRigIGo.

Complexity of the user experience

Another hurdle when it comes to PPV content might involve how it affects users’ experience on the platform. In a nutshell, it might just make it more complex.

Paying a single fee to access all content is a no-brainer compared to weighing the pros and cons of paying extra for PPV content.

Subscribers may feel overwhelmed and less inclined to even bother engaging with the platform anymore. 

The advantages of offering PPV content

While some Creators are anti-PPV, others make it a key part of their strategy., /u/RumorMillie swears by it, saying “Those that are willing to pay for quality content will gladly pay for PPV. I started out strong, getting tips from about a half a dozen new subs only for that to dwindle off and I was left with just the subscription fee as my only income. I had vowed to my subscribers to not do PPV and that was great for promoting myself. At the end of the day, PPV is the only way to really make it worthwhile.”

Many Creators argue that releasing all of their content for a small subscription fee isn’t worth the hassle.

“Of course they don't want to pay anything extra apart from the subscription fee. But giving away all your content for one small fee is not the choice of many.” writes /u/AspenMey.

Some feel that a no-PPV policy only works for established Creators who are able to make a significant monthly income from subscriptions.

/u/VampiressBlair explains, “The no PPV with full-length videos on feed could only ever work for a huge creator, imo. Unless you really don't care about the money. Get 50k people paying you $5-10 a month, and I’d completely understand not worrying about the hassle of selling PPV”.

At the end of the day, /u/777mika explains, while subscribers may not love having to pay more, they do want access to your exclusive content, saying, “They obviously hate to pay but do it anyway, because they want to see more than what they have to pay for.”

How to decide if PPV content is right for you

Once your following grows, you’ll come to understand what works best for you and your fans. As your fan base changes, so should your strategy. Listen to your subscribers and mix up different content types and monetization strategies. 

Creator /u/Jeanslookgood changed their strategy over a few months: “I upped my price last August on OF from 7.99 w PPV 2x a week to 15.99 W no PPV and advertised no PPV. 2 months later my account took off. Late November I took the wording “NO PPV” out of my bio. Late December I started selling PPV again.” 

Understanding your audience’s preferences and listening to their feedback can help you tailor your strategy to create content that makes your fans stick around. 

Opting out of PPV

Some Creators find that a no-PPV model works best for them. Creators who opt to skip PPV content focus on subscription fees, tips, and custom requests. They’ve noticed that fans aren’t happy with paying for paywalled content, so they prefer to use this strategy. 

Here’s what works for /u/AccountFrosty313: “I don’t do PPV on my account, just make money off of subs, tips and customs. I’ll admit I could probably make way more by selling PPV but you’re right, it does piss a lot of people off and I’m 100% sure I’d have less subs if I did that.”

/u/AccountFrosty313 focuses on tips and custom requests as PPV content doesn't seem to work for them: “I do make sure to add a tip goal under all videos and my more generous and long time subs tip if they enjoyed the video. I feel like it’s just a better way to do things, giving them the choice makes the interaction much better. If your subs like you they stick around and treat you.”

Balancing the pros and cons of PPV content

PPV content on OnlyFans can be both a lucrative opportunity and a delicate balancing act. 

While it has the potential to increase earnings, overusing paywalls can frustrate subscribers, leading to trust issues and decreased engagement. On the other hand, offering your content for just a small subscription fee might not be worth the hassle.

There’s a general feeling that subscribers don’t like PPV content, yet for many Creators, it’s still a significant revenue stream. 

To maintain a loyal fanbase, finding the right mix between paywalled and freely available content is crucial.