LATEST DEVELOPMENT
Patreon's 2025 State of Create report reveals fundamental shift in creator priorities amid algorithmic challenges, with direct-to-fan relationships becoming crucial for success.
INDUSTRY TALK
āSocial media algorithms push you towards whatās ātrending,ā and before you know it, youāre creating not from the soul but from some sense of āwhat works.āā
PATREON
BY THE NUMBERS
53% of creators say reaching followers is harder than 5 years ago
78% report "The Algorithm" impacts what they create
56% feel algorithms prevent creative exploration
81% want direct communication channels with fans
$52 average annual income per fan on Patreon (vs. social platforms)
PLATFORM PROBLEMS
75% feel punished for not constantly publishing
57% of TikTok time spent watching unfollowed creators
52% of fans find long-form content more valuable
51% say building communities is harder than 5 years ago
Majority report unpredictable monthly income
CREATOR EVOLUTION
Quality over quantity
Fan relationships over follower counts
Financial stability over engagement metrics
Direct-to-fan revenue growing rapidly
Creator economy projected to reach $231B+ by 2027
THE BOTTOM LINE
Despite social platform challenges, creator economy thrives as priorities shift from viral metrics to sustainable fan relationships. Direct-to-fan businesses offer stability as creators build owned audiences rather than renting platform attention.