RSS feed security and protection
Patreon’s RSS feature allows members to listen to a creator’s audio podcast using their preferred podcast app, without needing to log in to Patreon via our app or mobile web. This makes it easier for fans to enjoy your content while keeping it secure.
That said, sharing a custom RSS link with others to give free access to members-only content is a violation of our Terms of Service.
How RSS links work
- Private RSS links are unique to each member
- Each feed contains the member’s information, so only registered members with an active pledge can use it
- If a pledge becomes inactive, the feed stops working until the pledge is renewed
Protecting your work
We monitor how many devices and/or podcast apps are using each RSS link. If usage numbers are higher than usual, it may indicate that a member is sharing their link with others.
To safeguard your content:
- We automatically reset any RSS link that appears to be shared so anyone else using it loses access
- If this happens a second time, the member suspected of sharing their link will have their comment and DM privileges suspended for seven days
- Continued unusual activity will prompt our Trust and Safety team to take further action to protect your work
Currently, Patreon does not support passwords as a second security layer on the RSS feed. Many podcast apps do not support this feature, and those that do often require openly sharing your account password, which can create security risks. Some apps also cache feed information to make it easier for members to access a podcast later, which could unintentionally share a member’s RSS feed.
Reporting shared RSS links
If you discover that a member is sharing their custom RSS link, please email Patreon Support with the following information:
- The member’s name and email (or URL to their Patreon account). If that’s not possible, provide the RSS link and where it was shared
- A link to where you found the shared RSS feed