Digital Eros: Growth, Demographics, and the Visibility of Platform-Mediated Sex Work on OnlyFans - A Secondary-Data Research Note Applying the Martinez Eros Architecture

This secondary-data research note examines the growth, demographic visibility, and population context of platform-mediated digital sex work through OnlyFans. Using Fenix International corporate filings, U.S. Census population estimates, and published creator research, the study distinguishes observed data from derived estimates and projected values. OnlyFans creator accounts increased substantially between 2021 and 2024, while annual growth rates declined over the same period. The study develops a transparent 2025 creator-account projection and uses sensitivity analysis to examine the possible prevalence of female digital sex work within the U.S. adult female population. The findings emphasize an important distinction between cultural visibility and population prevalence. Even deliberately expansive demographic assumptions produce modeled participation below one percent of U.S. adult women. The study therefore examines how technological platforms can make a comparatively limited behavior economically significant and culturally conspicuous. The analysis applies concepts from the Martinez Eros Architecture, particularly Economic Eros, Technological Eros, and the Validation Loop. It also identifies personality, values, attitudes, virtues, identity development, relationships, validation, sexual behavior, and occupational socialization as areas for future longitudinal research.