In context: YouTube creators are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the platform in contempo years. Algorithmic changes tin can tank the visibility of videos from both new and established uploaders, and clips can be demonetized for seemingly no reason at all at any time. These difficulties, combined with frequent copyright strikes and video takedowns, accept made YouTube an unstable environment to build a business organisation, forcing creators to seek alternative acquirement streams -- such every bit Patreon.

Patreon has its problems, merely generally speaking, it'due south popular among YouTubers, artists, and indie game developers of all stripes. Some YouTubers have even shut off ads on their channels, relying entirely on fan contributions through Patreon to stay afloat.

For those creators, a question might come up: what, exactly, is the point of YouTube? If people can't find their videos due to unannounced algorithm changes, and they tin't turn a profit off of ads, why bother with the platform at all?

That's a question Patreon is seeking to answer now, according to The Verge. Moving forward, the company plans to launch its own video hosting platform and then that creators that wish to do then can finally cut ties with YouTube or other, similar video services. Patreon CEO Jack Conte says the visitor's ultimate goal is to create a "horizontal architecture" that allows whatsoever creator, no matter their medium, and no matter their upload format, to build a business around their work.

Patreon's upcoming video hosting push is function of that. In the end, Conte wants to brand his platform a one-stop-store for all of a creator's needs: acquirement generation, media hosting, and advice with fans. Whether or non he can achieve that dream remains to exist seen, but 1 affair is certain: more YouTube competitors can't hurt.

Of course, Patreon'due south video hosting service won't be a direct competitor to YouTube. We incertitude the site'due south goal is to create a fully-featured video hosting platform that anyone can upload to. That would take years of effort, and it's unlikely that non-Patreon users would make the leap.

Instead, Patreon aims to challenge Google'southward authorisation more subtly: by providing a very specific subsection of creators -- those who don't generate the bulk of their revenue through YouTube -- with an alternative way to deliver content to their audience. Patreon is essentially cut out the middleman.