OnlyFans Basics
WHAT IS A PAYWALL AND HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU MONEY?
If you're building a digital brand or selling content online, you've probably heard the term paywall. But what exactly is it—and how does it help you earn?
In this guide, we break down how a paywall works, what types of models exist, and how you can make real money with it—even from simple views or subscriber traffic. Whether you're on OnlyFans, a blog platform, or using exclusive links, understanding the paywall system is key to scaling your content income.
What is a paywall?
A paywall is a digital barrier that restricts access to online content and forces users to pay for access. You’ve probably tried to read an article on a news website only to be prompted to subscribe after a few lines. This is exactly what a paywall is. It is used by publishers and media houses to generate revenue while funding high-quality journalism.
How does a paywall work?
Access restriction: Users only see part of the content and have to pay to read the rest.
Different models: There are hard, soft and metered paywalls (metered = measured).
Use on websites: Mainly on news portals, magazines and specialized websites.
Types of paywalls
Hard paywall: All content is behind a barrier. Only subscribers have access.
Soft paywall: Some content is free, some only for paying users.
Metered paywall: Users can read a limited number of articles per month for free before they have to pay.
Why use a paywall?
A paywall helps publishers and media companies to monetize their content without having to rely solely on advertising revenue. For you as a reader, a paywall often means access to high-quality and exclusive content that is not otherwise available. Compared to models such as pay-per-view (PPV) or pay-per-article, a paywall offers the opportunity to generate regular revenue and build long-term customer relationships.
Comparison with other models
Advertising: Free access for users, but dependent on advertising revenue, which can fluctuate.
Subscription: Regular income, access to all content, no paywall.
Pay-per-view (PPV): One-off payment for access to exclusive live events or content, often more expensive per event, but with no long-term commitment.
Pay-per-article: You pay for individual articles instead of for the entire access.
Important KPIs for paywalls
In order to evaluate the success of a paywall, certain KPIs are decisive:
Conversion rate: How many users switch from free to paid content?
Retention rate: How many users stay with a subscription after the first month?
ARPU (Average Revenue Per User): The average revenue per user.
Churn rate: The proportion of subscribers who cancel their subscription.
LTV (Lifetime Value): The value of a customer over the entire period of its use.
Calculation example: Costs for a paywall
Suppose you regularly read articles on a news website:
Paywall: A monthly subscription costs €10. For regular readers, this is cheaper than individual purchases.
Pay-per-article: Each article costs €2. If you read five articles a month, you also pay €10.
A subscription is often cheaper for frequent readers. For occasional readers, it can be cheaper to pay for individual articles. The pay-per-view model, on the other hand, offers a flexible payment option for one-off content, such as live events, while paywalls are more suitable for regular readers.
This is a paywall
A paywall is an effective method of monetizing digital content and offers publishers a way to finance independent journalism. It is particularly attractive to users who want to read high-quality and exclusive content on a regular basis, but can be a deterrent if access is too restricted. It is important to monitor the right KPIs to measure and adjust the success and profitability of a paywall strategy.