Patreon Report Highlights Challenges for Creators in the Age of Algorithmic Feeds

Based on internal data and a survey of 1,000 creators and 2,000 fans, the membership platform highlights key trends in the creator economy, shedding light on the impact of algorithmic feeds on content visibility.

The findings suggest that over half of creators, 53%, believe it is harder to connect with their followers now than it was five years ago. This sentiment resonates across the creator community, from rising stars to established figures. Even celebrities like the Kardashians have struggled to navigate social media’s shift to video-centric, algorithm-driven feeds. If high-profile influencers like Kylie Jenner are feeling the effects, the challenge is even more daunting for creators who don’t have massive followings.

The survey also points to a growing frustration among fans with social platforms’ increasing emphasis on short-form video content, popularized by TikTok, and the ever-present “For You” feed. Although these formats have reshaped the way people consume content online, they have also made it more difficult for creators to maintain their audience’s attention. According to the survey, 52% of fans prefer long-form content, finding it more valuable. Additionally, fans expressed a willingness to pay for this type of content, which typically generates higher ad revenue on platforms like YouTube, where monetization for short-form videos remains a challenge.

This growing tension in the creator economy reflects a fundamental issue: While platforms like TikTok and Instagram have made it easier than ever for creators to build an audience, the algorithmic feeds often obscure those connections. Once a creator captures a fan’s attention, maintaining that relationship becomes an uphill battle. Even if a fan follows a creator, they may not see the majority of the creator’s posts due to the overwhelming volume of algorithmically served content from people they don’t follow.

As a result, creators are shifting their priorities. Many are now focused on cultivating deeper, more meaningful connections with their fans, rather than obsessing over traditional metrics such as follower counts, likes, and views. This marks a noticeable departure from the emphasis on these metrics five years ago.

Patreon CEO Jack Conte echoed this sentiment during an interview with TechCrunch in 2022, following Instagram’s significant algorithm changes. “When you focus on the platform mitigating the relationship between the creator and the subscriber, what you’re essentially doing is giving the platform the power and the responsibility to decide what to send to whom, when,” Conte said. “And that’s the part of it that makes me angry as a creator. Because I’ve spent years, decades building communities on these platforms.”

With more creators than ever trying to build a sustainable career online, finding a clear path to connect with their audience has become essential for monetizing their content. Yet, the dominance of algorithms presents a significant obstacle. The report found that 78% of creators feel that “The Algorithm” influences what they create, while 56% admitted that it has discouraged them from pursuing their true passions and interests.

This struggle is compounded by the growing instability of social media platforms themselves. With TikTok facing legal challenges, Meta (formerly Facebook) overhauling its content moderation policies, and X (formerly Twitter) hosting fringe extremist content, creators are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the state of social media. Platforms like Patreon, Substack, and OnlyFans offer creators greater control over their content and monetization, yet even those platforms are not immune to the challenges of connecting with the right audience.

Patreon creator Karen X. Cheng, who participated in the survey, expressed her frustration with algorithm-driven platforms, stating, “‘The Algorithm’ doesn’t measure what people want. It measures what people pay attention to.”

These insights underscore the ongoing struggle for creators in an increasingly algorithmic and fragmented digital landscape. As social media platforms continue to evolve and face growing scrutiny, creators are exploring new avenues to connect directly with their fans and maintain more control over their content.

While the future of the creator economy remains uncertain, one thing is clear: creators are more determined than ever to build authentic relationships with their audiences and find sustainable ways to monetize their work. The dominance of algorithmic feeds may be reshaping the industry, but it has also sparked a renewed focus on community-build.