Patreon’s latest State of Create report sheds light on the trends in the creator economy, leveraging internal data to support its ongoing crusade against algorithmic feeds. This effort has garnered support from creators who are seeking a more authentic and engaging way to connect with their audience.

The report’s survey of 1,000 creators and 2,000 fans reveals a notable trend: 53% of creators believe that reaching their followers has become more challenging over the past five years. This finding is hardly surprising, given the well-documented struggles of celebrities like the Kardashians with Instagram’s algorithmic feed, which prioritizes video content over other formats.

The shift towards short-form video and the “For You” feed, popularized by TikTok, has left fans frustrated. According to Patreon’s survey, fans are now seeing more short-form content than long-form content on social media. However, a significant 52% of fans value long-form content more and are willing to pay for it. Moreover, long-form content tends to generate more income via ad revenue share on YouTube, as platforms continue to grapple with the challenges of monetizing short-form content.

The creator economy is currently plagued by a fundamental tension: while platforms like TikTok have made it easier for creators to build an audience, the sheer volume of algorithmically served content makes it difficult for creators to maintain their fans’ attention. As a result, fans may not see the majority of a creator’s posts, even if they follow them, due to the overwhelming amount of content from other accounts.

In response, creators are now prioritizing quality and deeper connections with their fans over metrics like follower counts, likes, and views – a significant shift from five years ago. This change in approach is driven by the need for creators to build meaningful relationships with their audience, rather than simply chasing algorithmic validation.

Patreon CEO Jack Conte has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with algorithmic feeds, stating that they “mitigate the relationship between the creator and the subscriber” and give platforms too much power to dictate what content is seen by whom. Conte’s comments came in response to Instagram’s major algorithmic feed changes in 2022, which highlighted the need for creators to have more control over their content and audience.

As the number of creators trying to make a living online continues to grow, finding effective ways to connect with fans is crucial for monetizing their businesses. However, the dominance of algorithms often hinders this process, forcing creators to adapt their content to fit platform preferences. The report found that 78% of creators feel that “The Algorithm” impacts their content, while 56% admitted that it has discouraged them from exploring their passions and interests.

The challenges faced by creators are further compounded by the instability of social media platforms themselves. With TikTok facing legal issues, Meta overhauling its content moderation policies, and X struggling with fringe extremism, creators are becoming increasingly frustrated with the current state of social media. Direct-to-consumer content platforms like Patreon, Substack, and OnlyFans have provided creators with more control over their content and revenue, but it is becoming harder for them to connect with their target audience in the first place.

As Patreon creator Karen X. Cheng aptly put it, “The Algorithm doesn’t measure what people want, it measures what people pay attention to.” This sentiment highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to content recommendation, one that prioritizes the needs and preferences of both creators and their audiences.