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.
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 behavior 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:
- Click Create in the left-hand navigation and select Post
- Click Embed URL
- Don't see this option? Make sure the Make this a drop toggle is turned off.
Learn more about Drops
- Don't see this option? Make sure the Make this a drop toggle is turned off.
- Paste your video link in the textbox. A preview will appear
- Add a title (required) and description (optional) — you can drag and drop the break line to customize where paid access begins
- Your post settings are where you can set post access, sell your work, enable or disable email notification for fans, add your post to a new or existing collection, set a publish date, and adjust comment settings, and tags (more settings toggle)
- 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 post 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 post, 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 License and rights ownership set to Standard YouTube License
- 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 license 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 customizable 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 maximize visibility and discoverability.
Available settings under Free access:
- Free access (selected) – Anyone can access this post and discover your work
-
More options – Customize 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 dropdown:
- All tiers
- Specific tier(s) (if applicable)
-
Sell this post
- Allow non-members or members outside of the tiers you selected to purchase the post individually
- More options – Customize additional visibility or distribution settings
Important for per-creation creators: If your account uses per-creation billing, you cannot charge members and limit a post to specific membership tiers at the same time.