How do I message a creator?

  • Updated

Creators are now required to combine profiles

As part of Patreon's Network Discovery updates, creators and members will gradually see a more unified experience across Patreon. That means some steps in this article may look different depending on whether your accounts are already combined.

If you created your Patreon account recently, you may already have a single profile. If you don't see a prompt to combine, this doesn't apply to you.

Who does this apply to

  • Creators (including creators who are also members and support other creators): Combining accounts creates a single identity for both creating and membership activities. You can combine your accounts now through July 6, 2026 (previously June 30, 2026). Starting on July 6, 2026, combining will be required
  • Members-only (no creator page): You may notice navigation updates as these changes roll out. Once the creators you support join the network, you'll also get access to a new feed. No action is needed from your side

What may look different for creators after combining profiles

  • One identity: Your name and profile image are the same everywhere, whether you're creating or interacting as a member
  • One inbox: Notifications and messages are unified in a single place
  • Updated navigation on desktop and mobile: You may see updated labels and entry points that reflect a single, combined experience, including fewer profile-switching steps

Learn what's changing and how to get started in our article about combining your creator and member profiles into a single identity.

This article will guide you through sending direct messages to creators whose communities you’ve joined on Patreon.

When can I message a creator?

You can privately message creators on Patreon if one of the two conditions is true:

  • You have one processed payment with the creator through Patreon
  • You currently have an active membership with the creator on Patreon

If you are not yet a paid member and want to reach out to a creator, you'll need to contact them outside of Patreon.

Due to some recent changes, the ability to filter messages by Unread is not currently available.

How to message a creator from your Inbox

If you've processed one payment with a creator, you can send them a direct message from your Inbox even if you’ve canceled your membership. You can search by keywords or creator name to find a message thread.

Follow the steps below to message a creator from your Inbox:

  • If you are also a creator, make sure that you’re viewing your member profile. You can check by clicking on your profile image in the bottom left corner and selecting your member profile.

    1. Click the Community tab CommunityTab.png in the left navigation menu
    2. You’ll land on the Chats page — Select Direct messages instead
    3. Your conversations will be listed on the left panel of your inbox page. Click into the search box and type your creator’s name to find a message thread or start a new conversation from the dropdown
    4. Click on the creator to begin a conversation
    5. Type up your message and hit Enter or click the Send Style=Solid.png button
      • While typing your message, if you want to enter a new line, hit Shift + Enter

    If you have a message thread with a creator, you can find a previous message with them on the left-hand panel.

  • If you are also a creator, make sure that you’re viewing your member profile. You can check this by tapping on your profile in the top right corner and tapping on the switch to member profile if you see the option to.
    1. Please ensure your mobile app is updated to the latest version before following these steps
    2. Tap on the Community tab CommunityTab.png from the bottom menu bar
    3. You’ll land on the Chats screen — Tap on the envelope Message.png icon in the top right corner to get to your direct messages
    4. You can tap on an existing message to see a past conversation or tap on the + icon at the top right corner to start a new direct message thread with a creator
    5. Type your message in the text field and tap on the Send Vectors.jpg button when you’re happy with your message

  • If you are also a creator, make sure that you’re viewing your member profile. You can check by tapping on the menu menu.png in the top left corner, then tapping on your profile and tapping your member profile. 

    1. Tap on the menu menu.png in the top left corner
    2. Tap the Community tab CommunityTab.png in the left navigation menu
    3. You’ll land on the Chats page — Tap Direct messages instead
    4. You can tap on an existing direct message thread or search for a creator to start a new conversation
    5. Type your message in the text field and tap Enter or the Send Style=Solid.png button when you’re happy with your message
      • While typing your message, if you want to enter a new line, hit Shift + Enter

    If you have a message thread with a creator, you can find a previous message with them on the left-hand panel.

How to message a creator from their Patreon

If you have an active membership with a creator, you can send them a private message directly from their page on Patreon. If you are a former member and would like to send a creator a direct message, you can do so from your inbox.

To message a creator from their page, do the following:

  • If you are also a creator, make sure that you’re viewing your member profile. You can check by clicking on your profile image in the bottom left corner and selecting your member profile.
    1. Locate and click on the creator you want to message
    2. You’ll land on their Patreon and can click on the Message button to the right of the creator’s header
    3. Type up your message and hit Enter or click the Send Style=Solid.png button 
      • While typing your message, if you want to enter a new line, hit Shift + Enter
  • If you are also a creator, make sure that you’re viewing your member profile. You can check by tapping on the menu menu.png in the top left corner, then tapping on your profile and tapping your member profile.
    1. Tap on the menu menu.png in the top left corner
    2. Locate and tap on the creator you want to message
    3. Tap on the menu Page-Controls-button.png in the top right corner of the screen and select Message creator
    4. Type your message in the text field and tap Enter or the Send Style=Solid.png button when you’re happy with your message
      • While typing your message, if you want to enter a new line, tap Shift + Enter

FAQ

  • Your membership may have been removed. If you've been blocked from having a membership with a creator, you won't be able to message them.
  • Not at the moment. If you need to fully delete all data from Patreon.com, you can submit this request from our Privacy Center.

  • Direct messages can only be sent from creators to their members and from members to their creators. There currently isn't a way for members to send direct messages to one another.

    There are two ways you can engage with other members who are in the same communities as you:

    • Comments: If a creator you’re a community of has comments enabled for their posts, you can add your comments to the conversation

    • Community chats: If a creator whose community you’ve joined has community chats for their members, you can engage with other members through chats you have access to

      Learn more about community chats.

  • Fans who have been suspended by Trust & Safety go into a read-only mode in which the fan is unable to message the creator.

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