Understanding Cam Terminology
The cam industry has developed its own vocabulary over the years. Whether you're a new model learning the ropes or a viewer trying to understand how platforms work, this glossary covers the essential terms you'll encounter.
Payment Terms
Most cam sites use virtual currencies like tokens or credits. Viewers purchase these from the platform and send them to models as tips. The split between platform and model varies, typically 50-70% going to the performer. See how these translate to real earnings on our top earners rankings.
Show Types
Models can perform in public free chat (earning through tips), private shows (one-on-one paid sessions), or group shows (multiple paying viewers). Each format has different earning potential and audience dynamics. LiveJasmin specializes in private shows, while Chaturbate and Stripchat are built around free public shows with tipping.
Building an Audience
Success in camming often comes down to building regulars — loyal viewers who return frequently. Whales (high spenders) can provide significant income, but a base of moderate-spending regulars is more sustainable long-term. Models with the strongest audiences show up on our most-watched rankings.
CamRankings Metrics
CamRankings introduces several metrics to help compare models: Consistency Score measures schedule reliability, Viewer Trend identifies rising stars, and Marathon Streaming highlights performers who stream the most hours. Browse models by tags on our tag index pages.