Apple has set a new deadline of November 1, 2026 for all Patreon creators to switch from Patreon's legacy billing system to the App Store's in-app purchase system in the Patreon app on the iPhone and iPad, as reported by TechCrunch. Note: This image has been edited to include a pile of cash. Patreon is a platform where creators such as YouTubers can receive payments from fans, which can be a valuable revenue stream alongside ads and sponsorships.
I wouldn’t say these services are nothing. Are they worth 10%? Eh.
A 90/10 split for content creators who otherwise wouldn’t know how to build and operate their own platform doesn’t sound like a terrible deal. It’s not amazing but if there were better options, Patreon may not be so popular.
Edit: I want to clarify. Patreon is a for profit company who has apparently tried raising prices already and back tracked. Eventually, Patreon will try and squeeze out more profit from the creators and the user base will be big enough that Patreon will have the leverage to do so; we’ve all seen it before. I’m not saying Patreon is a good company, I’m not saying they won’t be dicks in the future, I’m not saying the system as it is, is good. I’m only saying 10% isn’t a bad deal when so many other options are worse (ex. Apple taking 30%)
It’s always getting fleeced with you guys and being fine with slightly less fleecing, when that is just a way to entice and reach a point where they can monopolize the market and fleece like the big dogs.
And then a new company with slightly less fleecing appears, with board members from previous company.
Rinse and repeat.
I understand your view and sympathize deeply but there is a lot wrong in the world today and if I have to divert energy somewhere to try and change something, Patreon’s 10/90 split is at the bottom of the list for me at the moment. Regular working class people aren’t getting that good of a deal at the jobs they work at. I’m not even talking 90/10, just getting their .01% of the profits in a 1000 person org for their contribution would probably be life changing.
You are right but our frames of reference are different.