Apple has set a new deadline of November 1, 2026 for all Patreon creators to switch from Patreon's legacy billing system to the App Store's in-app purchase system in the Patreon app on the iPhone and iPad, as reported by TechCrunch. Note: This image has been edited to include a pile of cash. Patreon is a platform where creators such as YouTubers can receive payments from fans, which can be a valuable revenue stream alongside ads and sponsorships.
  • lost_faith@lemmy.caEnglish
    40·
    24 hours ago

    Last time this came up Patreon simply allowed the creators to charge the commission directly on top of the price for non apple users, or eat the 30% loss. So everyone not using iOS would pay, say, $5/month, iOS users would pay $5+30%. Hope they retain that option.

      • scarabic@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        3 hours ago

        It’s logical but it probably scares away some customers. That’s why the “just eat it” option exists. iOS gives you access to an enormous market and payments are slick and easy. Creators may want $5 but if they can get 30% less from 500% more people, it’s still a good business for them. There’s no strict reason why they must obsess over taking 100% of the sticker price. There are a million examples of businesses who are willing to accept a discount for high volume business.

      • panda_abyss@lemmy.caEnglish
        16·
        23 hours ago

        Is it? Previously this was considered tips

        Now it’s 30% for what? Running a payment gateway and hiding an unsubscribe button deep in the App Store UI.

        Competitively payment gateways charge 1-3%, but when you lock down a platform you can charge 10x that.

      • other_cat@piefed.zipEnglish
        1·
        13 hours ago

        Not that good, the backlash was immense and if I remember right, people were dropping patreon subs over it.

        EDIT: I might also not be remembering right. The thing I’m thinking of was an additional fee regardless of what platform you used to access Patreon.

      • lost_faith@lemmy.caEnglish
        2·
        23 hours ago

        Yeah, I remember cause my Patreon account asked me what I wanted to do about apple trying to steal my money

        p.s. I never push Patreon so have no subs lol

    • applebusch@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      1·
      19 hours ago

      Your math is wrong. If you want the creator to still get $5 with apple stealing 30% you would need to pay ~43% extra.

      $5/0.7 = $7.14

      1/0.7 = 1.42857

      • lost_faith@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        18 hours ago

        I don’t remember the math, there was a button to charge apple users more so we got what we were supposed to