Patreon Unveils Discovery Feed and New Social Features in Bid to Dethrone Mainstream Social Media Platforms
Patreon, the membership service for creators, has been positioning itself as an alternative to algorithmic social media platforms. Now, the company is adding a discovery feed and new social features that will allow its users to grow their audience without relying on mainstream platforms.
The discovery feed, dubbed "Quips," allows creators to share non-paywalled updates with their patrons, including text, photos, or videos. Quips can be browsed through by patrons via the app's redesigned "home" feed, which includes recommended posts from creators they're already following - but also has an option for users to see only posts from creators they're subscribed to.
CEO Jack Conte says Patreon is competing with social media platforms that have failed to deliver on their promise of artist-friendly experiences. "I don't think of it as competing with Instagram," he said in a recent update. "I feel like we're competing with what Instagram should have and could have become, but did not."
The new features are aimed at giving creators an alternative to social media platforms that prioritize engagement over creator well-being. The company is walking a fine line between offering a discovery feed and becoming another algorithmic platform.
Despite the caution, early signs suggest that Quips will be beneficial for creators. Conte reported that beta testers have seen a significant rise in new free memberships from the feature. Paid subscribers have also shown promise, with around 5-10% of new members coming from Quips.
Patreon plans to roll out these updates slowly, with full availability expected sometime next year. Creators who want access to Quips sooner can join a waitlist for the beta version.
Patreon, the membership service for creators, has been positioning itself as an alternative to algorithmic social media platforms. Now, the company is adding a discovery feed and new social features that will allow its users to grow their audience without relying on mainstream platforms.
The discovery feed, dubbed "Quips," allows creators to share non-paywalled updates with their patrons, including text, photos, or videos. Quips can be browsed through by patrons via the app's redesigned "home" feed, which includes recommended posts from creators they're already following - but also has an option for users to see only posts from creators they're subscribed to.
CEO Jack Conte says Patreon is competing with social media platforms that have failed to deliver on their promise of artist-friendly experiences. "I don't think of it as competing with Instagram," he said in a recent update. "I feel like we're competing with what Instagram should have and could have become, but did not."
The new features are aimed at giving creators an alternative to social media platforms that prioritize engagement over creator well-being. The company is walking a fine line between offering a discovery feed and becoming another algorithmic platform.
Despite the caution, early signs suggest that Quips will be beneficial for creators. Conte reported that beta testers have seen a significant rise in new free memberships from the feature. Paid subscribers have also shown promise, with around 5-10% of new members coming from Quips.
Patreon plans to roll out these updates slowly, with full availability expected sometime next year. Creators who want access to Quips sooner can join a waitlist for the beta version.
... Like, have you seen their new "Quips" discovery feed? It's just gonna end up being another algorithmic thingy 
... I mean, I get it, creators want control over their content and audience, but it feels like they're trying too hard to be different. And what's with the name Quips? Sounds like a fancy way of saying "random posts from patrons"... 
... Maybe Patreon's onto something here. And I gotta admit, their stance on prioritizing creator well-being over engagement is kinda refreshing 
... Just don't expect me to join the waitlist or anything 
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I'm literally so hyped about Patreon's new discovery feed Quips 
for creators. They're finally giving them the tools to share their passion with the world without having to beg for attention on Instagram 
. And can we talk about how cool it is that they're not just trying to compete with the big boys, but actually creating something better? 
Like, who needs algorithms when u can have genuine human connection 
? I'm all about supporting my fave creators and this feature is gonna make it way easier for me to do so 
. Fingers crossed it rolls out soon! 
, and i think its a good move because most social media platforms are more focused on keeping us engaged than actually helping creators out 
. i mean who needs endless scrolling when you can have people sharing their actual art and passions? 
anyway i've been using Patreon for years and its always been great, the discovery feed sounds like a game changer for new artists trying to get discovered 
! It's like they're finally giving creators a chance to take control of their own content and connect with fans on their own terms. The fact that it's not just another algorithm-driven platform is huge for me, I mean, who doesn't want to support the people making the stuff we love without all the drama 
. Quips seems like a game-changer for artists and creators, it's gonna be sick to see them thrive on this new platform 
. And 5-10% of paid subs coming from Quips is already proof that it's working... now let's get it out to everyone ASAP! 
. On one hand, it's awesome that they're trying to level up and give creators more control over their content. The discovery feed sounds super useful, and it's cool that patrons can support creators without having to shell out for a paid subscription.
. Creators need more options and better working conditions, and if this feature helps them grow their audience without relying on mainstream platforms, then I'm all for it 
. Fingers crossed they can pull off the whole "not being a soulless social media platform" thing 
... it feels like they're caught between being too transparent and still relying on the same old engagement metrics. Can't they just stick to what they do best: giving creators a platform to share their work without the noise? 
. I've seen some of my favorite creators struggle with the pressure to constantly post content that gets engagement, but never actually resonates with them. Quips seems like a game-changer for those who want to share their passion without being tied to clicks and likes 
It's about time we see platforms prioritizing creators over algorithmic engagement 
Where's the originality? 
. I'm excited to see how this will impact our regional creators! 
Maybe we'll even start seeing more local talent getting featured? 
. i mean, who doesn't love seeing their fave artists and musicians share new content without all the noise of algorithmic feeds? 
it's like, we're tired of those platforms prioritizing engagement over actual artistry 
. patreon is giving us a chance to support the people we actually want to see creating stuff 
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like, it's this whole new way of sharing non-paywalled updates with our fave creators. i'm already imagining all the behind-the-scenes peeks into my favorite artist's life 
Still, fingers crossed for Patreon and their attempt to shake things up! 
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. Let's hope they keep it organic and creator-focused, rather than getting sucked into the mainstream social media vortex 
. The fact that they're trying to create a discovery feed that's more about the content than the algorithm is EVERYTHING. I mean, who needs likes and followers when you can just get your favorite creators in front of you without all the noise? And that CEO, Jack Conte, is like a genius