Posting videos

Learn how to share videos with your members using native Patreon Video, third-party video platforms or direct file uploads. This article outlines the steps for uploading, setting privacy settings and configuring access controls.

Uploading a video 

Option 1: Use Patreon Video

Patreon Video lets you upload and host videos directly on Patreon – no third-party platform needed.

You may be eligible for early access to Patreon Video if:

• You've published your Patreon
• Your Patreon is Safe for all audiences
• Your Patreon has not been flagged for potentially fraudulent behaviour and complies with our Community Guidelines and Terms of use

Check your early eligibility in your Settings.

Learn more in our Patreon Video article.

Option 2: Use a video URL

You can embed a video link that plays directly in a post. Here’s how:

1. Click Create in the left-hand navigation and select Post
2. Click Embed URL
   
   • Don’t see this option? Make sure the Make this a drop toggle is turned off.
     Learn more about drops
3. Paste your video link in the textbox. A preview will appear
4. Add a title (required) and description (optional) – you can drag and drop the break line to customise where paid access begins
5. Your post settings are where you can set post access, sell your work, enable or disable email notifications for fans, add your post to a new or existing collection, set a publish date, and adjust comment settings and tags (more settings toggle)
6. On desktop, click Preview post to see how your post will appear for paid and locked fans on desktop or mobile web. You can also send yourself a test email before publishing or scheduling your post

Note: We use Embed.ly for all embedded Video Posts. You can test your URL there to ensure that your video will be posted properly. Add your URL into the textbox field and click the arrow link to the right. If you find an error in the type field, your URL will not be posted and you’ll want to double-check your link.

Option 3: Use the Vimeo integration

To upload using Vimeo, select Vimeo when creating your post, then follow the steps in this article:  Upload your videos with Vimeo.

Other video hosting options

If you’re looking for other options to host your videos, we have a recommended list of other Video hosting options that may work for you.

Option 4: Upload a video file

You can upload video files directly from your device. The file will appear as a downloadable link at the bottom of your post.

⚠️ This method does not display a video player.

Supported formats: 

• .mov, .mp4, .mpeg, .ogg
• Maximum file size: 5 GB

Once uploaded, your file name will appear at the bottom of the post editor.

Recommended privacy settings for YouTube and Vimeo

YouTube

To ensure your YouTube videos play properly on Patreon (including the app), we recommend:

• Set your video to Unlisted
• In Settings > Upload defaults > Advanced settings:
  • Keep Licence and rights ownership set to Standard YouTube Licence
  • Keep Allow embedding enabled

If you’re finding that your video is Unavailable on the app, in particular, you’ll want to double-check your licensing on YouTube. YouTube may add additional copyright licensing to a video that uses music from different artists. This licence prevents embedded players within apps from playing these videos outside of their own app or website. You can learn more about music in videos hosted by YouTube following this next link: YouTube. 

Vimeo

We recommend these settings:

• Set privacy to Hide from Vimeo or Public
• In Where can this be embedded?, choose:
  
  • Anywhere for the easiest access
  • Or Specific domains → add www.patreon.com

🛠️ If you’re using Vimeo Integration, these settings are pre-configured, so only eligible members can view the video. You can still update privacy settings from Vimeo.

Audience settings options

When publishing a post, you can choose who can access it by setting the Audience. There are two main options: Free access and Paid access. Each comes with its own customisable settings.

Tip: You can update your audience settings for each post, before or after publishing, regardless of your Patreon’s adult content classification.

Free access

Select Free access to allow anyone to view your post, including non-members. This option helps maximise visibility and discoverability.

Available settings under Free access:

• Free access (selected) – Anyone can access this post and discover your work
• More options – Customise additional visibility or distribution settings
  
  • Everyone (recommended)
  • Free and paid members
  • Free members only
  • Free members and public visitors

Paid access

Choose Paid access to restrict the post to paying members or to offer it as a one-time purchase.

Available settings under Paid access:

• Paid members
  
  • All tiers (default)
  • Tier selection drop-down:
    
    • All tiers
    • Specific tier(s) (if applicable)
• Sell this post
  
  • Allow non-members or members outside the tiers you selected to purchase the post individually
• More options – Customise additional visibility or distribution settings