Britany Clara You’ve probably heard of AdultFriendFinder, also known as AFF.com. But did you know the story of its creation goes way back? In 1994, Andrew Conru launched Web Personals, the first online dating site ever. Two years later, after selling Web Personals, he created Friend Finder—one of the earliest social networking platforms.
Almost immediately, Conru noticed a trend: users were posting mostly naked photos and explicit pleas for hookups. Naturally, the internet was—and still is—a playground for this kind of content.
To address this, Conru launched a “release valve” for Friend Finder. In 1996, AdultFriendFinder.com was born—the first adult-oriented social networking site, years before Myspace or Facebook existed. These are the naughty beginnings of social media that few people talk about.
So, if you’re the type who slides into high school crushes’ DMs at 2 a.m., it might be time to stop embarrassing yourself on Facebook or Instagram and give Adult Friend Finder a try.
A Big Player in Online Dating
You’ve probably heard of AFF at some point. Its main competitors are Match.com, Tinder, and OkCupid—meaning it’s up there with the big players. In fact, in 2007, Adult Friend Finder was listed as one of the 100 most popular websites in the U.S. It’s recognizable not just from porn popups but also from awards: XBIZ named it Dating Program of the Year in 2010, and About.com voted it best adult dating site in 2012.
Beware: Billing Issues
Before we talk about features, there’s a serious warning. Numerous complaints have surfaced over the years about continued billing even after cancellation. Former employees have admitted this was company policy, not an error, and many customers don’t notice the charges for months.
This is especially concerning on a site where almost every action requires payment. While you can sign up for free, accessing profiles, sending messages, or even reading them usually requires a credit card. If you try AFF, monitor your bank account closely.
The Temptation of Adult Friend Finder
Once you sign up, the site is designed to make you want to pay. You’ll see tons of hot profiles and even get messages within minutes—but you can’t read them without paying. It’s a classic hook.
Tons to Do, If You Pay
Adult Friend Finder offers a lot:
- Private messaging
- Chat rooms
- Webcams
- Blogs and webzines
- Sending “flirts” (like Facebook pokes)
- Commenting and liking posts
Without paying, you’ll only see tiny parts of profiles and notifications that someone messaged you. Are those messages real? Maybe. But chances are, new users are targeted with bots to entice payments.
Design and User Experience
The site is well-designed. Think Facebook-style layout: a menu at the top, options down the left, messages on the right, and a news feed in the center. It’s easy to navigate, even for first-time users.
Camming and Live Broadcasting
Where AFF stands out is its live cam options. Some streams are free in public mode; others require payment. Users can even broadcast their own cams to earn tips. The catch? Almost everything costs money, and the rates aren’t cheap.
Final Thoughts
If money isn’t an issue, AFF offers plenty of women to chat with, tons of features, and more activity than most adult dating sites—even in smaller cities. Credit card issues have been addressed over the years, but proceed with caution.
If you can afford it, Adult Friend Finder may surprise you. If nothing else, it’s a fascinating peek into the naughty origins of social media.
