Patreon Finally Launches Native Video Hosting Feature for Creators

Content creators can now upload videos on Patreon.

The popular membership platform revealed that it has finally added its very own video hosting feature, Patreon Video since Patreon teased it in 2021.

Patreon Video is now available for all content creators on the platform and is free to use until 2024.

Patreon Video Details

Patreon mentioned in its announcement that it expects Patreon Video, its first video product, to help creators have more control over their work, engage with their fans better, and further build successful, sustainable businesses.

Specifically, it allows content creators to skip past the need of uploading Patreon-exclusive videos on other platforms like YouTube or Vimeo and then embed video players or share links with subscribers, per The Verge.

Skipping this step means subscribers won't have to go through ads while watching a Patreon-exclusive video. As such, subscribers can expect no pre-rolls or mid-rolls while watching a video on Patreon.

Having videos posted on Patreon using its video hosting feature also means that content creators can upload videos regardless of length.

Patreon is providing 500 hours worth of video available to content creators not making adult content through the end of 2023. Should a creator use up all 500 hours, they can make a request for more for free while a more detailed payment structure is being constructed.

As for video quality, Patreon mentioned that videos would automatically be in HD when a video is successfully uploaded.

Additionally, Patreon's video hosting feature comes with smooth playback controls and picture-in-picture on mobile devices. It also gives content creators the ability to set custom thumbnail images while subscribers can enjoy Patreon Video's save play state feature.

However, the most interesting feature Patreon Video has is that content creators can create and share free and public previews of a Patreon-exclusive video, supposedly to help convert interested fans into subscribers.

Additionally, content creators can get deeper insights into what the fans want so they can better focus on that. According to Tech Crunch, content creators can see a video's total views, average view duration, and how many people are viewing a video's free public previews.

Last but not least is that Patreon Video can be cast to other devices via iOS Airplay and Android Chromecast. However, although Airplay casting is now available, Chromecast is unavailable as of press time.

Patreon has yet to share when casting through Chromecast will be available.

The Future Of Patreon Video

As previously mentioned, Patreon Video is free to use until some time in 2024, when the platform's management has a detailed payment structure for the feature.

Should the feature be considered a success, Patreon Video could be monetized for content creators, especially those into creating behind-the-scenes video clips of podcasts.

The revenue from Patreon Video is crucial for Patreon as it laid off 80 of its employees, which led to it closing many of its offices in Europe in September due to unsustainable growth.