The Death of Followers and Subscribers in 2025
Patreon released The State of Create 2025, an in-depth study examining the current landscape of the creator economy.
It highlights the shifting dynamics between creators, platforms, and audiences, emphasizing the growing challenges of building sustainable businesses in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
Here are the key takeaways:
- The Algorithmic Shift: 53% of creators report that it’s more challenging to connect with their followers today than it was five years ago. Platforms are prioritizing algorithm-driven feeds over follower-based distribution, making it harder for creators to reliably reach their audience.
- Short-Form vs. Long-Form Content: 61% of fans notice an increase in short-form content on their feeds. However, 52% of fans believe long-form content offers more value, and 49% are more inclined to pay for it. While short-form content dominates feeds and engagement metrics, long-form content is perceived as more valuable by audiences, especially concerning monetization.
- Financial Sustainability: 57% of creators state that the ability to reach large audiences is crucial for their success, yet 51% find it harder to build a fan community today than five years ago. A significant number of creators feel that platform monetization alone is insufficient, leading to increased reliance on direct fan support, memberships, and diversified income streams.
- Creator Autonomy: 60% of creators express concerns that platforms like Instagram do not always show their most important work to fans. Many creators are seeking greater control over their businesses by focusing on owned platforms—such as email lists, websites, and memberships—rather than relying solely on social media.
To build a sustainable business that we own and control, the shift in 2025 is more towards deepening relationships with true fans rather than growing a massive audience of shallow followers.
From 0 to 1 Million Subs on YouTube in 3 Years
In 2025, it’s easier than ever to start as a creator—AI tools can generate scripts, edit videos, and even create thumbnails.
But actually making it work is a different story. What separates those who succeed from the rest, is following a strategy that works.
In 2020, our first YouTube channel had under 1,000 subscribers. By July 2023, we hit 1,000,000.
Along the way, we spent six figures on coaching, made every mistake possible, and almost quit.
But in the process, we discovered unshakable rules that make or break YouTube success.
1. Commit to a Posting Schedule
In the early days, we were inconsistent, posting whenever we had time.
But the worst part about inconsistency that nobody talks about is the lag time it takes to “relearn” and get back up to speed: forgetting editing shortcuts, struggling to get comfortable on camera, re-reading that script we wrote weeks ago.
Every time we took a break, it felt like starting over.
We had to break that cycle. So we fully committed to one video per week, no excuses. Even if that meant filming at 11 PM after a hospital shift.
YouTube is a skill stack—storytelling, persuasion, editing, design—and you can’t improve these without reps.
A schedule forces you to practice consistently, and that’s what leads to real growth.
2. Hyper-Obsess Over Titles & Thumbnails
Most creators spend 80% of their time on editing, scripting, and effects.
But after five years and thousands of videos, here’s what we learned: 80% of a video’s success comes down to the title and thumbnail.
If people don’t click, they never see the content—period.
That’s why we block out time every single week to brainstorm 5-10 title and thumbnail combinations before touching the script or camera.
A million-dollar idea with decent execution beats perfect execution of an average idea every single time.
3. Study Success Before You Try to Be Original
Creators love the idea of being original. But the truth is, there are no original ideas. Every hit video is a remix of something that worked before.
If you’re struggling for ideas, visit the channels of your competitors, sort the videos by most popular.
Study what worked, remix it with your perspective, and make it better.
We talk about two more rules in the full video which you can watch right here.
The “secret” to success is not wasting your time on strategies that no longer work.
Amazon’s New AI Assistant Redefines Smart Living
Amazon released Alexa+, its AI-powered assistant.
Building upon the original Alexa, this new service offers enhanced conversational abilities, deeper personalization, and advanced task execution.
Key Features:
- Agentic Task Management: Beyond basic commands, Alexa+ can autonomously perform complex tasks like booking reservations through OpenTable, ordering groceries from Amazon Fresh, or purchasing event tickets, navigating the web and integrating with various services on behalf of the user. These are features offered by OpenAI’s Operator, but more accessible.
- Seamless Integration: Alexa+ is compatible with a wide range of smart home devices and services like lighting systems and security cameras.
- Advanced Conversational AI: Alexa+ engages in natural, flowing conversations, using generative AI and LLMs like Anthropic’s Claude and Amazon’s Nova to understand different contexts and interactions.
- Personalized Assistance: Alexa+ learns from user interactions, remembering preferences such as favorite music genres, dietary restrictions, and frequently accessed services, for tailored recommendations.
Alexa+ is priced at $19.99 per month for non-Prime members, while Amazon Prime subscribers receive the service at no additional cost.
Early access is set to roll out in the U.S. next month, initially available on select Echo Show devices, with plans to expand to other devices and regions in the near future.
This marks the biggest launch of AI technology right into our daily lives.
- Claude releases 3.7 Sonnet and Claude Code, making waves for coders. Watch as Claude plays Pokemon Red live on Twitch
- OpenAI releases GPT 4.5, with enhanced emotional intelligence
- ElevenLabs released ElevenReader, which can narrate any website, newsletter, PDF, or text for free
- ElevenLabs also releases Scribe, which it claims to be the “most accurate in the world” in transcribing speech to text in 99 different languages
- Ideogram releases 2a model, which takes generative AI for text generations and graphic design to a new level