MyFreeCams: An In-Depth Review

If you’re already working as a model, chances are you’re familiar with MyFreeCams (MFC) — and if you are just thinking of getting started on cam and are exploring your options, chances are you’ve at least come across mention of the site.

MFC claims it is the “original free web cam community.” There are over 12,000 cam models on the site, which is approximately a shit-ton. According to MFC, on average, 142 models join a day. Are you going to be one of them?

Let’s review some key parameters that you should consider before joining any cam site as a model.

Setup & First Broadcast

Starting up is pretty easy and relatively quick. MFC provides a super helpful Wikipedia page that walks future models through the setup. You just fill out an application and send them photos of yourself and a valid ID. The documents are for age and identity verification purposes and are kept confidential. They usually respond to you within 24 hours, which is pretty amazing.

Once everything is set up and ready to go, you can go live whenever — so you should go live as often as possible those first couple days. Especially because you want to keep you CamScore up.

New models start off with a set CamScore of 1,000. The CamScore is some magic algorithm based on your performance, which determines where you’re placed on the homepage. The higher your score, the higher you are on the homepage. A CamScore of 1,000 brings you close to the top, which means you get a higher chance of traffic going through your cam room. This helps new models build a clientele from the second they hit the play button.

The CamScore drops a couple days later to reflect how you are actually doing on the site, so take advantage those first couple days.

Platform Ease of Use

MFC can be difficult to navigate at first, especially if you didn’t peruse their Wiki page before you start. It also doesn’t help that the entire website looks like it hasn’t had an update in years.

The main homepage can be overwhelming with its bright green border, photos of  thousands of models online and MySpace-esque feel, but models also have their own “homepage.” You can go online with a click of a button, check your emails, view your tokens and update your profile. It’s fairly easy and straightforward. A bit of an eyesore, but easy.

Payment

Models receive tokens from customers for certain services or as a “tip.” These tokens are converted into cash (1 token = .05 US cents).

There are several payment options: direct deposit, check by mail, Payoneer, etc… Payments are made biweekly on the 1st and 16th of every month. MFC is pretty good about being on time with payments, and they’ll always let you know if there’s going to be a delay.

Privacy & Piracy

A cool thing about MFC is you can block entire states and countries. Don’t want your next door neighbor finding you on the site? Block your state. Do you have family in Iceland and don’t want to risk them finding you? Block the country! MFC keeps all your personal information confidential, so it’s up to you to maintain your privacy.

Now obviously, some things are out of your hands. Piracy is unfortunately rampant in the cam world. MFC keeps piracy at a low because they do not record private sessions, however, there is no way to stop a client from using a third-party recording device during a session.

Understand the risks of being a cam model and know what to do if you find your content on a piracy-based “free porn” site.

Traffic

MyFreeCams is one of the oldest cam sites online. They have legions of loyal members who have been on the site for years and refuse to leave. Buying traffic is also something many (most?) big cam networks do, so there is likely a bump that way too.

You have thousands of potential clients waiting for you at any time of the day, but — like any cam site — MFC has slow periods. Try going online early in the morning (clients love chatting with girls and doing private shows before work) or late at night.

Inclusivity

The biggest qualm we have about MFC is their lack of inclusivity.

This is an old site, with older clients, so it’s not a surprise they have some outdated practices. They only accept “natural-born female models,” which is problematic because it bars men and trans women from being models on the site. Although they allow models of any sexual orientation and accept “female-female” couples, I don’t think this is for the sake of social progress or women’s rights. Instead, I believe it is their way of capitalizing on the fetishization of queer and lesbian women.

Sum Up

We know that’s a lot of information, so here’s a summary list of the sites pros and cons of MFC as we see them:

Pros

1. Quick and easy setup
2. A boost in CamScore the first week
3. Platform is easy and straightforward
4. Direct deposit
5. Biweekly payout
6. Block entire states and countries
7. Good amount of traffic

Cons

1. Very outdated-looking website
2. Can be overwhelming and confusing at first
3. No men models
4. No trans women models

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Ariane Torres is a writer who says funny things on occasion. Email her at ariane@ynotcam.com and find her on Twitter at @tofulumpia.