patreon

Patreon is a membership platform that enables creators to receive recurring financial support from fans, or patrons. It is used by artists, writers, podcasters, video creators, and other independent workers to monetize their work by offering exclusive content and rewards in exchange for monthly or per-creation pledges.

On Patreon, a creator builds a page, sets up subscription tiers with corresponding rewards, and posts updates and content. Patrons choose a tier, make a pledge, and gain access to the promised benefits. The platform handles payment processing and distribution of funds. Patreon charges a platform fee that varies by plan, plus payment processing fees on each successful pledge. Creators can communicate with patrons, publish posts behind paywalls, and access analytics to manage growth.

Patreon was founded in 2013 by Jack Conte and Sam Yam in San Francisco. It launched as a way for creators to cultivate ongoing support from fans, reducing dependence on traditional advertising. Over time, Patreon expanded to a broad range of creators worldwide, supporting multiple currencies and adding features such as live streams, member-only content, and creator tools.

Patreon has influenced how independent creators fund their work by enabling predictable income and direct fan relationships. It has also faced criticism regarding fees, the risk of platform dependence, and changes to policy or terms affecting creators. As a major platform in the creator economy, Patreon competes with other subscription services and alternative monetization models.