SWR Data: Cam Models Moving Toward New Platforms, Tech

“We’re seeing a real shift in how creators approach streaming,” said Mike Stabile, co-founder of SWR Data. “Five years ago, cam platforms were one of the only games in town for adult streaming, but our data show that large numbers of creators are rapidly embracing both fan site streaming tools and non-adult tech like Zoom, Skype and Teams.”

In a report published late last year, SWR Data found that adult creators “particularly those in the high-value US market” are “moving toward subscription and fan site models.”

“Just 43% of creators now say they regularly stream as part of their adult work, down from 51% in 2022,” SWR Data noted. “Of those who do stream, 21% use a platform like Skype or Zoom, roughly the same percentage that stream using a fan platform.”

To better understand the shift in platform usage, SWR Data said their team “looked more deeply into the data from its surveys of hundreds of creators over multiple years and then engaged more directly with creators about the role of streaming in their business model.”

The result of SWR’s deep dive is the “2025 State of Cams” report, which SWR said “uncovers a changing creator marketplace for streaming platforms.”

SWR added the report “paints a detailed, data-driven picture of the current cam market for creators, breaking out income levels, platforms usage, technology adoption and retention issues among various creator communities.”\

In what SWR described as a “more recent, targeted survey of highly engaged creators,” the data firm found that “86% of creators were open to camming, though the sector’s time-sensitive nature was the key hurdle.” Creators also said, however, that “increased payout percentages and increased traffic were potential draws to increased camming.”

“Adult creators love the idea of streaming, but want more flexibility,” said MelRose Michaels, co-founder of SWR Data. “We’re running complex businesses with multiple revenue streams. Platforms that understand what makes creators successful will ultimately be successful with creators. State of Cams is a critical tool to help platforms understand what’s happening in the creator community.”

SWR Data said the firm “will be releasing additional data and insight from the report in the coming weeks.”

To learn more about the State of Cams report and keep up with SWR Data’s other ongoing projects, you can register for updates here.