Does OnlyFans Show Up On A Background Check?

OnlyFans (OF) is a (mostly) adult-oriented social media platform that allows users to post pictures and videos of themselves, usually behind a subscription wall. In some ways it is similar to other platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, with two main key differences:

• OnlyFans allows users to make money by charging people to view their content
• This site is very much adult-oriented with anywhere from 75% to 98% of content on their adult-oriented in nature, depending on what sources you trust 

Originally a platform for celebrities and niche experts to connect more with their fans, the platform evolved to be so oriented towards sex work that even non-adult channels will be assumed to be adult-oriented by anyone who hears about them.

This creates an understandable fear that OnlyFans will show up frequently on any future background checks whether for housing, a new job, or even a bank loan.

So the big question: Does OnlyFans show up on a background check?

This can be a bit complicated but the short answer is: OnlyFans won’t show up on most very basic background checks, however it will almost certainly be discovered with any type of in-depth or thorough search.

The varying results come because there are many different types of checks. There are criminal background checks, employment background checks, and credit checks, to name a few.

So I’ll go over each check, how they might catch an OF account, and why it is safer (and reasonable) to assume any background check will find out about your OnlyFans.

Let’s take a deeper look!

What Is OnlyFans, and How Does it Work?

OnlyFans has experienced a significant increase in popularity in recent years because it offers a platform where anyone can make money from uploading content and they have heavy control over pricing and setup, and can make income without needing technical skills.

This is also one of the main platforms where freelance adult performers can reliably get attention and income while controlling their own business.

While private information will be needed for those signing up to be a creator on the platform, that person gets to choose what name they use that others will see when signing up.

The overwhelming majority of people creating content on OF use an assumed or stage name of some kind as opposed to their real name…but that doesn’t mean the identity will stay safe.

Given the sheer popularity of the site and the very picture and video-oriented nature of most channels, it is pretty easy for a creator to be recognized by someone they know.

Does OnlyFans Show Up on a Background Check?

In most cases, an OnlyFans account will be discovered with most standard background checks. Especially if you have ever earned enough to have filed taxes on those earnings, which starts at only $600.

Any potential lender or employer would be able to see the income information from taxes, which would connect you to OF as a performer.

This means that future potential employers would almost certainly find out about your OF at most jobs you apply to, assuming they did any kind of vetting. Which most jobs do.

While that activity isn’t going to automatically set off red flags, it is information that is going to come out.

Another major reason for this is that even with people who try to hide their identities, not show their face or a well-known location associated with them, Google does a remarkable job of connecting the real person with the account.

Even with many precautions taken, the chances that “Your Name OnlyFans” in the search engine bar will bring up the right account is quite high.

Sometimes even just a plain Google search of your name will cause a prospective employer to find your account and, fair or not, that may affect prospective job options in the future.

While most background checks are more interested in finding criminal history or searching for past bankruptcies, just because this is the main focus doesn’t mean they aren’t going to do vetting beyond the basics.

If your OnlyFans account has content, is in any way tied to any other of your online social media sites or information Google associates with you, or you have made $600+ then it will come up on most checks.

On the other hand, if the background check is only for criminal records, you have no content on OF or you’ve never made enough to file chances, there’s a decent chance that some lighter surface-level checks will miss it.

There is nothing that should give away an OF account as a consumer – only for those who are actively posting on it or have in the past.

In Summary: In the majority of cases your OnlyFans account will show up in a background check in some form, and it may affect future employment opportunities.

Will OnlyFans Affect Future Employers’ Hiring Decisions? 

If you have a potential employer find out about an OF account, will that affect their decision on who gets the job and who doesn’t?

The unfortunate reality is that in many cases it will. Future employers in an “at will” employment state can simply choose to not hire you, or can fire you for any reason.

Even in states that aren’t “at will” employment, it’s always possible that this can result in firing under the guise of other reasons. A company’s culture might be open to an OF side career but it’s also possible that others will treat you differently or even harass you.

Unfortunately, there are many stories of this happening and even when OF wouldn’t show up on a standard background check, people still found out and it’s likely not if, but when.

You should assume this will affect future job opportunities.

Tips on Keeping your OnlyFans Account Private

There’s only so much you’re going to be able to do, but if you want to give creating content on OnlyFans a shot and want to keep as much privacy as possible, the following tips will give you the best chance to do so.

Keep your profile private.

It is possible to make your OF profile private, allowing you to control who has access to the information you have posted there. This is an effective method of keeping your account information confidential. 

This will mean it won’t show up in searches, which also means you won’t create the large money-making following that most who go on the platform hope to build. 

This will not, however, prevent it from popping up when a background check pulls data that reveals 1099 tax information. 

Use a different email address.

In the registration process for OnlyFans (and other social media accounts), you will be given the option to use a different email address from the one you use for your other social media accounts. 

An investigator looking into your background would be less likely to come across your OF account if you use a different email, especially if it was used only for OF registration and nothing else.

This will only help if they are explicitly searching for your email address. If they search for your name, your OnlyFans account could very well still show up.

Don’t post personal information.

OnlyFans asks for your personal information like your full name, date of birth, and phone number when you sign up. You may also need to provide more information to confirm your identity.

However, you don’t have to share this on your public profile, and you shouldn’t. Don’t use your real name or a nickname you use in real life.

Be careful about letting things slip like the city you live in or doing any type of chat where you let slip something about your childhood.

These can provide clues that let people figure out who you are even if you take other precautions to try to hide your identity. 

So, if you’re not comfortable with your boss seeing your account, don’t post anything that could potentially give away your identity.

Be careful about what you post.

Even though OnlyFans is a social media platform, you should use caution when posting content to it. Anyone who has access to your profile will be able to view anything that you post on the Internet. 

Many try to hide their identity by not showing their face, and while this can make it easy to keep your privacy, keep in mind that someone might eventually recognize a tattoo, moles, birthmarks, or even the background of your apartment and/or house.

If you want to try to keep your OF under wraps, you need to be very conscious of how you film and how you stage any filming area. 

Many employers conduct background checks, so make sure that anything you post won’t come back to haunt you later on.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money can I make with an OnlyFans account?

Some top OnlyFans earners have made millions on the platform, but this is rare. However, many more creators make several hundred or even a few thousand dollars a month.

The amount you earn depends on how much content you produce and how many followers you have. Many fans are willing to pay for exclusive content.

How do I sign up for OnlyFans?

Click on the “Sign Up” button in the top right corner of the page to begin the process of registering for an account. Additionally, you will be required to enter your date of birth, provide your email address, and select a password.

As soon as you have created your account, you will begin following other users and posting content. OF also gives you the option of selling access to exclusive content and receiving payments directly from fans through the platform’s payment processing system.

What are the privacy settings on OnlyFans?

There are a few different privacy settings that you can choose from on the platform. For example, you can choose to make your profile private so that only people you approve can see it, or you can choose to make your posts public so that anyone can see them.

You also can share your posts with just your followers or share them with everyone.

Can I do OnlyFans without showing your face?

Yes. Many people want to try OF but don’t want to show their faces. This is understandable considering the focus on adult content, and many people have made this work.

Can an employer not hire you for having an OnlyFans?

In many states, it is legal for an employer to pass you over for a job simply for having an OF account. This is important to keep in mind before deciding on whether or not to proceed.

How Will OnlyFans Affect Employment: Final Takeaways

Now that we know what OnlyFans is, does that mean your account will appear on a background check? The answer to that question remains: it depends. 

OF does not have an exhaustive database of all its users, and it isn’t illegal or directly financial so it may not show up. However, a 1099 from them will, and any check that goes beyond the basics has a very good chance of discovering your page.

However, if someone conducts a full-scale search, including social media platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn, they may find your OnlyFans account. 

So there you have it – everything you need to know about OnlyFans and whether or not it shows up on a pre-employment vetting.