Patreon and Acast collaborate to make private podcast distribution easier than ever

Patreon, the world’s leading creator membership platform, and Acast, the podcasting giant, have joined forces to make patron-only podcast content available to listeners across all of the major podcast platforms.

This unique collaboration enables podcasters on Patreon to distribute private, patron-only content to their listeners’ podcast app of choice — including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Overcast, the Acast app, and more. The integration allows podcasters to publish content via a private patron-only RSS feed, and with a plan upgrade, enables them to manage both their public and private feeds from the same place. Podcasters will also have access to data and insights about their listeners.

“At Patreon, we’re fostering an ecosystem where creators can connect more deeply with their audiences, and ultimately change the way their creativity is valued,” said Brian Keller, director of creator success at Patreon. “Patreon and Acast have a shared mission of helping creators earn a sustainable income for their art. As podcasting continues to be one of the largest creator categories on Patreon, our work with Acast makes it easier than ever for podcasters to cultivate their communities by delivering exclusive content to their most passionate fans, wherever they like to listen.”

Secure, patron-only podcast feeds

Acast’s proprietary ‘Access’ technology enables Patreon creators to supply patrons across different membership tiers with highly secure, unique, patron-only podcast feeds, reducing the risk of piracy and ensuring their patron-only content remains exclusive. Patrons are seamlessly authenticated according to their Patreon membership tier, through any podcast app that supports secure RSS feeds.

Podcasters can also easily encourage fans to become patrons by directly linking to their Patreon membership directly from the public episode notes, and new patrons are seamlessly guided back into their listening experience once they’ve joined.

Advanced audience analytics

Patreon podcasters can manage both free and patron-only content across all of their different Patreon membership tiers via a single dashboard, while Acast provides creators with its industry-leading podcast analytics as the only podcast company with all four measurement standards compliant with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).

Patreon podcasters now have more clarity over who is listening and engaging with their content, with robust data and insights about all of their content, including listener demographics, audience growth, performance insights, listenership by podcast app, and more.

“All creators should be able to reach the audience their content deserves, and to be fairly compensated for that,” said Leandro Saucedo, chief business and strategy officer at Acast. “Alongside Patreon, we’re taking our biggest step to date in our mission to support the global creator community, helping podcasters get their content out to more people. Creators thrive in an ecosystem where they can freely create, connect with their audiences, and make a living from their work across any platform — and this collaboration is all about supporting and enabling that.”

The technology will be launched for all Patreon podcasters this month, and follows a private beta that several high-profile creators — including Sleep With Me, 90 Day Gays, and other notable podcasters — participated in over the past few months.

"I love the Acast integration! The analytics let me know that patrons are listening to the content and give me clear insight into exactly what and how they’re consuming it. It’s secure and easy for patrons to get set up, and the fact that there is only one link to share makes it simple for listeners to find the content and brings new patrons to our membership!” said Drew Ackerman of the podcast Sleep With Me.

To learn more, visit acast.com/patreon.

About Patreon

Patreon is a membership platform that connects creators with their biggest fans and enables those fans to become paying members, or patrons, of their favorite creators. Co-founded in 2013 by YouTube star Jack Conte of the band Pomplamoose, and Sam Yam, we believe that every creator in today’s digital economy should get paid. Patreon is the best place for creators to establish ongoing and predictable monthly revenue and expand their career as a creator whether they are creating podcasts, music, fiction, game streams, online videos, photography, visual art, and more. Patreon’s more than 200,000 creators are supported by more than 6 million patrons, and creators on Patreon have earned more than $2 billion in total. For information about the company, visit: https://www.patreon.com/

About Acast

Podcast giant Acast is the engine powering creators, advertisers and listeners everywhere. Its services are the most sophisticated available and are constantly being updated with innovative new tools and functionality.

Acast hosts more than 20,000 shows worldwide, monetizing and growing global smash hits including My Dad Wrote a Porno, The Earios Network, and Forever35, as well as podcasts from publishers such as the BBC, PBS NewsHour, Vice, Complex, HuffPost, CBC, and Financial Times.

Founded in Sweden in 2014 by Johan Billgren, Acast’s team of more than 200 audio lovers are creating a sustainable and open podcast ecosystem — ensuring the whole industry continues to grow and flourish. Over the past six years Acast has generated nearly $100 million in revenue for podcasters around the world, running hugely successful ad and sponsorship campaigns for more than 3,000 brands.

The company has on-the-ground operations in 10 countries around the world, including Canada, the UK, US, Mexico, Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden.