Apple is forcing Patreon to end per-post subscriptions
Added 2024-08-13 01:22:37 +0000 UTC...And that's really, REALLY bad for this setup I've got here. I'm hoping some workarounds or decision-reversals might miraculously happen, but it's looking like I may have to consider non-Patreon options.
But I know that I personally have decided not to follow an artist I'm subscribed to, onto another platform I'm not currently signed up to, like SubscribeStar, because it's more work to sign up for a new platform than just click "Subscribe" on Patreon. So I'd hardly hold it against any of my patrons for doing the same, ya know?
Just for my information, I'd really like to know what you all would feel, if that came to pass. I'm seriously not looking for reassuring, supportive words, or asking for some sort of a loyalty test or anything; I really need some realistic information, to help me make a few decisions.
So: If I were to cease posting on Patreon, and sign up on a different platform like Subscribestar...
Comments
Late to seeing this conversation, but I'll give my thoughts. I signed up for Patreon specifically for you, so if you leave, I would literally have zero people I'd be pledging to. I'd be perfectly fine signing up with SubscribeStar or something else, or doing a fixed monthly rate here (since if I'm not mistaken, you've been pretty solidly at four posts per month for quite a while, so it wouldn't be very different). I'd been considering starting a Patreon for my own work, but I wouldn't be comfortable doing anything but a "per post" setup, so I guess I won't be using it at all if this goes through.
Typhin
2024-09-11 20:07:34 +0000 UTCSo would I because I don't want the story to just end.
Delfi
2024-08-16 20:44:32 +0000 UTCI’d be fine switching to a new platform or switching to a monthly rate, whichever you opt for. Honestly, between this, the fact Apple is apparently going to start charging for the privilege of accessing Patreon through the app, and Patreon being subjected to PayPal censorship, going somewhere else might be a good idea anyway.
Varyon
2024-08-14 13:49:17 +0000 UTCSeriously fuck Apple. Just one more reason not to touch their overpriced trash. I'd be willing to go to another site.
Delfi
2024-08-14 08:58:15 +0000 UTCIt would take me a bit of time because Im slow sometimes, but Id eventually follow ya to a new service. I take pains to support creators I love. You are no exception wonderful Val :) Sucks that patreon is taking options away
SpecialSpoon
2024-08-14 04:04:04 +0000 UTCIf its what you gotta do its what you gotta do.
Bine
2024-08-14 03:17:50 +0000 UTCthat's a fair point Is there a way to use subscribestar without having to use my own personal credit cards? I really prefer to avoid it as much as possible for security reasons
Raan
2024-08-13 16:56:17 +0000 UTCthere isn't an option for "would *strongly* consider it;" think of mine as a "maybe but probably yes" vote. also, I suspect other creators I follow are going to be looking for other venues as well, so I might be signing up for subscribestar anyway.
green
2024-08-13 16:26:40 +0000 UTCThis isn't on Patreon, really. It's about Apple refusing to work with anyone that won't conform to their payment system (which has no option for per-post). Patreon now faces a choice between getting its app booted from the store and screwing over its users, and well...
Matthias Preissl
2024-08-13 16:20:08 +0000 UTCThe problem here is that paypal demands compliance with paypal's content policies in order to work with any site. Which means any content that paypal's owners deem inappropriate (and given who they are and their political and religious views, that's a LOT) can get your service terminated. SubscribeStar survives as an alternative to Patreon because its niche is explicitly "content that any PayPal-linked service would block".
Matthias Preissl
2024-08-13 16:00:24 +0000 UTCStrange as it may sound, this isn't about money for Apple. It's about conformity. Every single thing even tangentially linked to Apple's ecosystem has to use exactly the same rules and procedures, and Apple's internal system doesn't recognize a "per-post" payment option so that's gotta go. Likewise the move to force Patreon to do all payments through Apple's system (with the 30% cut) isn't really motivated by greed but by paranoia about anything on an iOS device existing outside the very strictly controlled Walled Garden they've set up.
Matthias Preissl
2024-08-13 15:57:04 +0000 UTCI have subscribestar anyway
Lazy_Fangs
2024-08-13 15:39:43 +0000 UTCPersonally, I would follow you to SubscribeStar as I already have an account with them, but probably not elsewhere.
Golnor
2024-08-13 15:20:58 +0000 UTCMonthly subscription or new platform, either work for me. (Sod Apple.)
Richard Weir
2024-08-13 14:46:21 +0000 UTCOriginally the entire point of their model was that they charged on the 1st of the month only so that there was a single credit card transaction for your entire Patreon, and they didn't have to pay as much to credit card processors.
Thomas Halpin
2024-08-13 14:23:23 +0000 UTCI'm here to support you the artist. If you move to a monthly plan here, I would have no problem with that either.
Fox Starwing
2024-08-13 14:22:02 +0000 UTCMonthly (on the first of the month) used to be the only way. Then they added per-post. Now, they're regretting both choices, and trying to force creators into monthly (based on the DAY the person subscribed). That gives Patreon a more steady stream of income, but it screws over artists who don't know when they're getting paid through the month. It's also bad for the user, since you might be subscribed to multiple people on different days of the month, so those charges are hitting your card throughout the month.
Kesh
2024-08-13 13:59:12 +0000 UTCI'm already on subscribestar too so I'd follow you over there no problem.
Zw
2024-08-13 12:19:21 +0000 UTCMaking a new account on a new site is certainly a barrier, but I already have a Subscribestar because I followed another artist I support there, so it's not an insurmountable one!
Stevolteon
2024-08-13 11:54:08 +0000 UTCTbh I would love to keep supporting you and I have no problem in doing that. I didn't post in the poll cause to me the most important thing is that if you were to move WHICH platform would you be moving to? In all honesty what you move to is probably more important than the fact you would be moving.
Teether
2024-08-13 10:18:40 +0000 UTCInertia's a powerful force on any Internet platform (just look at the amount of people still using Twitter) -- I'd personally support you with whatever options you make avaiable, but it'd be a hard call for a lot of folks, I think.
Avi (yinglet)
2024-08-13 08:56:48 +0000 UTCAs far as I know, this is not really fault of Patreon but Apple wanting extra 30% cut on top. non-apple payments wouldn't rise and... per post payments would go away from apple users, not website or android. so you could apply payments through website and browse benefits through app and pay NOTHING to apple. Considering other platforms, they have problems like: no anonymity. (no one on patreon I support gets my details) supports Paypal, which while not amazing payment processor, allows me to gather 99% of things online to ONE place. spreading CC numbers left, right and center to all platforms is not something I would like. Ko-fi supports paypal and monthly and possibly? doesn't give my details forward. the term "transaction information" is dubious and can be understood in many ways. They do give out email though and all other information you enter if/as you create account.
Little_me
2024-08-13 07:08:20 +0000 UTCGo where you need to go! I love your work and will support you. Patreon is getting crappier by the month and I'm really hoping enough leave that it collapses and something better becomes the standard
Inq Variae
2024-08-13 06:32:14 +0000 UTCThe problem for me is that subscribestar doesn't support paypal payment :< I really hope I will be able to continue supporting the comic on patreon, or if at another site, at least one that supports paypal :o
Raan
2024-08-13 06:21:16 +0000 UTCTo hell with apple, your better than this, I love you, I love your art but I really don't want to bend to apple's arbitrary bullshit
DickNixon69
2024-08-13 06:17:14 +0000 UTCBehold the eternal war waged by corporations against us all. When will we rebel? I guess never.
Russet
2024-08-13 06:02:12 +0000 UTCIf you move to SS, I'll have a reason I can't overlook for starting a new account there. Probably pick up a few other subscriptions that I'd been holding off on, too. And I'd rather do that than deal with the new forced model.
Xanthos
2024-08-13 04:32:49 +0000 UTCI will do whatever I can to support more yingy content. If that means a different place, then to a different place I shall go.
Jarylan Blackwell
2024-08-13 04:08:58 +0000 UTCI'd probably be willing to shift over, but I would also be happy to stay here on a monthly subscription - $10-15 a month or something like that.
Rain Shadow
2024-08-13 03:14:01 +0000 UTCThat’s what I thought.
Super Shanko
2024-08-13 03:10:17 +0000 UTCI’d definitely join your new platform or just switch up my payment tier here if it came to it.
Super Shanko
2024-08-13 03:09:14 +0000 UTCI thought monthly was the norm, unless I’m confusing it for just collecting the specific used amount monthly based on posts?
Super Shanko
2024-08-13 03:07:04 +0000 UTCI have a subscribestar account so that's not such a big deal, but still dissapointed that switching to monthly isn't even an option. I know I wouldn't mind if you kept to your usual publishing schedule (or lack of same) in spite of the regular recurring payments and I think you'd be surprised at how many here would be okay with that as well.
Molly McAllister
2024-08-13 02:53:55 +0000 UTCI would prefer to pay you monthly anyway, but if you still want to do the pay per post thing, I will keep tolerating it wherever you go as long as they don't suck too bad. Kofi I'm already on, subscribestar I am not, but I haven't got any horror stories
Thomas Halpin
2024-08-13 02:39:50 +0000 UTCThe fee only applies to new subscribers according to what I read. If you adjust, cancel then rejoin then the fee applies. You can avoid it by using the website to Patreon to subscribe or update. I did that and my choice works on the App. So far….
Vet
2024-08-13 02:29:22 +0000 UTCI've already signed up for subscribe star for another creator who had problems with Patreon. No biggie for me. BTW, while Patreon are blaming Apple, there's more to it than it looks. https://www.jwz.org/blog/2024/08/patreon-screws-me-over-says-a-big-apple-did-it-and-ran-away/
Cheshire Noir
2024-08-13 02:27:17 +0000 UTCI'm already on SubscribeStar, so that wouldn't be a barrier for me. I would also be fine with a switch to a fixed-price model. I think you are actually the only person I support on here that does a per-image payment model.
Shyster
2024-08-13 02:23:13 +0000 UTCI'm already on SubscribeStar, so it wouldn't be a huge deal to move my subscription there.
Vicroc4
2024-08-13 02:16:07 +0000 UTCI thought it's only for the Apple app users? I do not and never will own any i-things.
jay maechtlen
2024-08-13 02:10:45 +0000 UTCI’ve also heard that SubscribeStar can be difficult for people to get on. As in, if Val goes there, they might not approve it for a long time. Which would mean we’ve have no Val comics and sketches and fun things. Which would make me VERY sad, as their comics have been an uplifting presence as of late.
Courtney Rayle
2024-08-13 01:53:06 +0000 UTCI'll resubscribe wherever you move to, it's not a big deal. That said though I never really cared about the weekly thing. If you made the minimum $4 its exactly the same. You wouldnt have to do weird things like post a paid ying scribble and be like "free update later I promise." Just set it monthly and be done, I dont think anyone really must have specifically needs random charges anyway.
Kyphie
2024-08-13 01:49:03 +0000 UTCAgreed - I'm a patron of plenty of fixed-tier artists whose Patreon output is just "Whatever I happen to have the time/energy/motivation to create this month." If some months that's nothing, that's fine with me; I'm in this for the long term. If you did switch to a different platform, I would absolutely INTEND to follow you there, but I know that's the sort of thing that brings out my procrastination the hardest.
Chrysalis
2024-08-13 01:48:40 +0000 UTCOther people I support have already left, it will take zero effort to go somewhere else.
Isla
2024-08-13 01:46:21 +0000 UTCIt’s everyone. Patreon is making the change to only per month. If you use the Patreon app via the Apple IOS in the future, though, Apple also is demanding 30% of the tier, so best to subscribe to new Patreons via any method but the Apple app.
Courtney Rayle
2024-08-13 01:42:48 +0000 UTCI’d rather you just up fixed price level tiers and stay here, TBH. I am a patron of 39 people on this platform, and it is easier for me to use this rather than another one.
Courtney Rayle
2024-08-13 01:41:12 +0000 UTCI would be sad to lose my OG supporter status (February 2017! I wonder how many of us are left) but also like, to hell with Apple rent-seeking on something they don't deliver. Something to keep in mind though is that not everyone follows a platform switch. Even motivated people.
Thegs
2024-08-13 01:40:00 +0000 UTCI would say the barrier would be an issue for me but hell, I created this Patreon account solely just to support you and I don't use it for anything else hahah! But also wow, that seriously sucks... The hell Apple?
WGzombie
2024-08-13 01:34:38 +0000 UTCI know of many people I used to follow here moved to Ko-Fi, so I did follow them up there, right now I'm only between those two and seems like most of them are planning to. Not too sure about SubscribeStar on the other hand, since I never heard of it, but if you go Ko-Fi, it'll be a no brainer to follow you there instead!
Knaxia
2024-08-13 01:34:36 +0000 UTCI already use subscribestar and other subscription platforms for other artists so it's likely I'm already set up wherever you may choose.
kurogetsui
2024-08-13 01:34:20 +0000 UTCtbh a fixed price per month here on Patreon would work for me.
Ngrasta
2024-08-13 01:32:49 +0000 UTCI didn't even know there was a Patreon app. (It would be surprising if there weren't, but still.) To be clear, assuming you stay on Patreon, does this change the method of subscription for all your Patrons, or just the ones using the IOS app? Googling the issue briefly didn't clear it up.
Thorin N. Tatge
2024-08-13 01:32:48 +0000 UTCThis is currently the only Patreon I’m following so moving platforms is no big deal for me
Autumn Minnchilla
2024-08-13 01:31:57 +0000 UTCI just think you should adjust your prices to 4x the cost or something similar, I'd be fine with that. I think you'll do fine, I'd much prefer that to switching to another site :V
Wat
2024-08-13 01:31:27 +0000 UTCI was unsure about Subscribestar at first, but I followed someone over there after Patreon decided to ban his work, and Subscribestar really isn’t bad. I don’t know anything about the artist/financial side of things, though.
VGR
2024-08-13 01:28:39 +0000 UTCPatreon has so many issues now I glad to see people leave it for SubscribeStar or the like. I have luckily been able to shift most of my donations off this platform so I'm happy to follow elsewhere.
AdamBv1
2024-08-13 01:26:48 +0000 UTCThere are some other platforms, like SubscribeStar, that I'm ALREADY signed up on. So put me down for D) Am already on the new platform.
Andrew Denton
2024-08-13 01:26:46 +0000 UTCI'd just encourage folks not to use the Apple app - the website works quite well on mobile. It might be possible to set up a new avenue for those users specifically, though since this change will only affect a portion of subscribers I wouldn't recommend jumping ship entirely. Edit: I assumed this was about the 30% tax policy that was also announced. Per-update subscriptions is a much bigger complication.
TakingFire
2024-08-13 01:26:45 +0000 UTCSo wait, even if everyone is paying through the actual website, this is still going to mess everyone up?
Super Shanko
2024-08-13 01:26:19 +0000 UTCJust a fair warning, subscribestar is more of a pain to get onto, some people wait months for approval.
CocoLoco
2024-08-13 01:25:18 +0000 UTCIve mainly been using patreon as a way to stop losing your comic. Like I've lost it 10 times between updates when I read for free so I decided to just start paying you to not lose it. Thats right. You are making money off of me being an idiot.
BiasMushroom721
2024-08-13 01:25:02 +0000 UTC
