Should You Jump to the New 70–85% Payout Platforms? A Tactical Playbook for Creators (Jan 23, 2026)

Why this matters now — quick context (what I checked today)

How to read “70–85%” claims: 5 questions you must ask

Platform math: compare the headline splits (real examples)

Below is a practical comparison you’ll use when modeling revenue. Numbers are pulled from public announcements, press coverage and platform docs where available (Jan 2026).

Why the gap matters

Practical playbook — what to do in the next 30 / 90 / 365 days

30 days — fast experiments (low cost, high optionality)

• Join betas + reserve your username: sign up for controlled invites (many new platforms open limited creator slots in Jan–Feb 2026). If they offer higher splits, claim your handle and verify identity. (This costs time, not money.)
• Run a conversion control: send identical traffic to your main income stream and a new platform test page. Track conversion %, AOV, and retention for 30 days.
• Negotiate for promotional support: new platforms need launch content — ask for front‑page placement, promo credits, or co‑marketing (these are often more valuable than a slightly better split for newcomers).

90 days — validate unit economics

• Model cash flow (gross revenue × platform split − payment fees − taxes − marketing) for 3 scenarios: conservative (50%), baseline (70–80%), aggressive (85%). Use real conversion data from your 30‑day test.
• Watch payment mechanics: fast payouts beat small % improvements if you need working capital. Check hold periods and minimums (OnlyFans holds 7 days currently; pay processors like PayPal/Stripe impose fees). For example, PayPal’s merchant rates in the U.S. are ~2.9% + $0.30 on card transactions — factor that into net. ^[8]
• Diversify where fans pay you (email + payment links + platform): don’t put revenue on a single new bet until you’ve proven retention and chargeback rates.

12 months — scale, own the flywheel

• Move high‑LTV fans into owned channels (email list, SMS, private community) — even platforms that promise 85% rarely give you audience portability by default.
• Build productized offers that fit the platform strengths: live shows with tipping/gating work best on live‑first platforms; serialized premium episodes are a natural fit for subscription platforms.
• Negotiate revenue guarantees or marketing commitments for traffic if you’re bringing a sizable audience — market power reduces platform risk.

Red flags — when to run (or pull back)

Playbook checklist: a one‑page due diligence flow

Case study (quick, realistic numbers)

Final verdict — play smart, not fast

Actionable next steps (one‑click checklist)

• Today: request access to the platform beta and read their payout T&Cs (if you’re on a waiting list, claim your handle).
• 7–30 days: run a paid traffic test (email or paid social) to the platform and your control page — measure 30‑day retention.
• 30–90 days: reconcile actual payouts to promised splits; track chargebacks and support responsiveness.
• 90–365 days: design an exit/backup plan (email list, Stripe/PayPal funnels, membership site) so your business survives platform policy changes.

Tip: a better split only matters if you can keep the customer longer than your CAC payback window. Don’t chase % without verifying LTV. 🔍