Creators are actively shifting away from algorithm-dependent platforms as they seek more direct control over their audience relationships, according to Patreon‘s 2025 State of Create report, a company-sponsored study of the creator economy.
The research, which surveyed 1,000 creators and 2,000 fans in the United States through research partner Newton X, reveals that 78% of creators say algorithms impact what they create, while 56% report that algorithms prevent them from exploring their creative passions and interests.
Why does this matter? The study found that 70% of creators report unpredictable monthly incomes on major platforms and 75% say platforms punish those who aren’t constantly publishing work.
“The algorithm doesn’t measure what people want. It measures what people pay attention to,” said Karen X. Cheng, creative director and visual artist, quoted in Patreon’s report.
This sentiment appears to reflect broader industry trends, as 67% more creators report earning from direct fan revenue streams compared to five years ago.
Platform Control vs. Creator Access
Patreon’s study finds that 53% of creators say it’s harder to reach their followers today than five years ago, with major platforms showing declining creator-to-follower connection rates.
On Instagram, only 24% of users’ time is spent viewing content from creators they follow, while YouTube and TikTok show marginally better rates at 32% and 38% respectively. The research indicates that 60% of creators say Instagram does not always show fans their most important work.
Patreon notes that 75% of creators say platforms punish those who aren’t constantly publishing work, while 78% report that burnout impacts their motivation to create.
Source: Patreon
Direct-to-Fan Revenue Growth
Patreon’s internal research indicates a significant shift toward direct monetization channels. Creators report earning 40 times more annual revenue per fan on Patreon compared to TikTok.
The average annual income per fan on Patreon is $52, while income per paying member reaches $110. According to company estimates, the direct-to-fan market is projected to grow from $194B in 2025 to $237B by 2027.
The report states that direct-to-fan revenue now comprises over 55% of the total creator economy value, encompassing ticket sales, courses, livestreams, and paid memberships. This shift appears particularly significant as 81% of creators express a desire for direct communication channels with their fans.
Creator Priorities and Platform Trust
Patreon’s study reveals shifting creator priorities over the past five years:
Previous Priority Areas (2020):
Follower count
Likes, comments, and shares
Views, listens, and watch hours
Viral growth metrics
Platform-specific engagement rates
Current Priority Areas (2025):
Quality of creative work
Building fan relationships
Financial stability
Community development
Long-term sustainability
Platform confidence metrics in Patreon’s research show creators’ trust varies significantly:
72% of creators are confident fans will see their work on Patreon
56% express confidence on YouTube
53% report confidence on TikTok
48% indicate confidence on Instagram
Fan Behavior and Platform Usage
The company’s research tracks considerable differences in fan engagement across platforms. When asked about their confidence in seeing content from creators they follow:
95% express confidence on Patreon
78% report confidence on YouTube
69% indicate confidence on TikTok
67% state confidence on Instagram
Additionally, Patreon’s data shows that 94% of fans feel a deep sense of community with other fans on their platform, compared to 75% on YouTube, 74% on TikTok, and 68% on Instagram.
Source: Patreon
The study, based on Patreon’s research conducted in August 2024, sampled creators across various sizes and categories. The research encompasses creators at different career stages, with 35.4% working full-time, 43.4% part-time, and 21.2% creating as a hobby. In terms of tenure, 41% have been creating for less than 5 years, 38% for 5-9 years, and 21% for over 10 years.
Cecilia Carloni, Interview Manager at Influence Weekly and writer for NetInfluencer. Coming from beautiful Argentina, Ceci has spent years chatting with big names in the influencer world, making friends and learning insider info along the way. When she’s not deep in interviews or writing, she's enjoying life with her two daughters. Ceci’s stories give a peek behind the curtain of influencer life, sharing the real and interesting tales from her many conversations with movers and shakers in the space.
Creators are actively shifting away from algorithm-dependent platforms as they seek more direct control over their audience relationships, according to Patreon‘s 2025 State of Create report, a company-sponsored study of the creator economy.
The research, which surveyed 1,000 creators and 2,000 fans in the United States through research partner Newton X, reveals that 78% of creators say algorithms impact what they create, while 56% report that algorithms prevent them from exploring their creative passions and interests.
Why does this matter? The study found that 70% of creators report unpredictable monthly incomes on major platforms and 75% say platforms punish those who aren’t constantly publishing work.
“The algorithm doesn’t measure what people want. It measures what people pay attention to,” said Karen X. Cheng, creative director and visual artist, quoted in Patreon’s report.
This sentiment appears to reflect broader industry trends, as 67% more creators report earning from direct fan revenue streams compared to five years ago.
Platform Control vs. Creator Access
Patreon’s study finds that 53% of creators say it’s harder to reach their followers today than five years ago, with major platforms showing declining creator-to-follower connection rates.
On Instagram, only 24% of users’ time is spent viewing content from creators they follow, while YouTube and TikTok show marginally better rates at 32% and 38% respectively. The research indicates that 60% of creators say Instagram does not always show fans their most important work.
Patreon notes that 75% of creators say platforms punish those who aren’t constantly publishing work, while 78% report that burnout impacts their motivation to create.
Source: Patreon
Direct-to-Fan Revenue Growth
Patreon’s internal research indicates a significant shift toward direct monetization channels. Creators report earning 40 times more annual revenue per fan on Patreon compared to TikTok.
The average annual income per fan on Patreon is $52, while income per paying member reaches $110. According to company estimates, the direct-to-fan market is projected to grow from $194B in 2025 to $237B by 2027.
The report states that direct-to-fan revenue now comprises over 55% of the total creator economy value, encompassing ticket sales, courses, livestreams, and paid memberships. This shift appears particularly significant as 81% of creators express a desire for direct communication channels with their fans.
Creator Priorities and Platform Trust
Patreon’s study reveals shifting creator priorities over the past five years:
Previous Priority Areas (2020):
Current Priority Areas (2025):
Platform confidence metrics in Patreon’s research show creators’ trust varies significantly:
Fan Behavior and Platform Usage
The company’s research tracks considerable differences in fan engagement across platforms. When asked about their confidence in seeing content from creators they follow:
Additionally, Patreon’s data shows that 94% of fans feel a deep sense of community with other fans on their platform, compared to 75% on YouTube, 74% on TikTok, and 68% on Instagram.
Source: Patreon
The study, based on Patreon’s research conducted in August 2024, sampled creators across various sizes and categories. The research encompasses creators at different career stages, with 35.4% working full-time, 43.4% part-time, and 21.2% creating as a hobby. In terms of tenure, 41% have been creating for less than 5 years, 38% for 5-9 years, and 21% for over 10 years.
Read the full report here.