Marketplace Tech As followership wanes, TikTok resets relations between creators and fans
Feb 27, 2025
The discussion centers on a recent report from Patreon about the evolving relationship between creators and fans. While fans crave long-form content, they're bombarded with short-form snippets, leading to engagement struggles for creators. The conversation highlights the 'TikTokification' of the internet, and the challenges of balancing visibility with meaningful storytelling. Creators must navigate monetization hurdles while cultivating strong connections with dedicated supporters, revealing the complex dynamics of the current creator economy.
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Shift from Following to Algorithm
- The internet used to be built around the "follow" concept, where users saw everything from those they followed.
- The rise of TikTok's "For You" page shifted this, prioritizing content the platform thinks users want to see.
Pressure of Short-Form Content
- Creators feel pressured to produce short-form content for discoverability, even if they prefer long-form.
- This shift compromises the development of nuanced content that builds trust with their audience.
Erosion of the Follow Button
- Short-form content, typically under two minutes, is seen as a major change.
- More importantly, the erosion of the "follow" button impacts creators' control over their work and connection with fans.