There are a lot of people out there that will not use a website and only use an app for things. I’m willing to bet there’s some users of patreon on ios that don’t even know there is a website.
Background play of exclusive podcasts for one thing. I suppose that might be possible in a browser but playing media from a media player app instead of a browser is certainly going to be a better experience.
Every podcast I support on Patreon provides a link that you can plug into your podcatcher to subscribe. I don’t need the Patreon app to listen to the podcast then, just Pocket Casts or whatever I’m using for all my podcasts.
Even the video links are YouTube links.
I don’t doubt that the app makes life easier in some ways, but the website works just fine.
The main shows definitely that is the case for me as well - but there are also Patreon exclusive audio releases that don’t go out on the rss feed for Morning, Somewhere for instance. I also follow shows with exclusive video releases on Patreon that don’t ever go to YouTube and I still get the benefit of a dedicated media app with background play.
Why does patreon even need to be an app? What value does the app bring that the website can’t deliver?
There are a lot of people out there that will not use a website and only use an app for things. I’m willing to bet there’s some users of patreon on ios that don’t even know there is a website.
I tend to use whatever has the best user experience. I don’t use a browser for lemmy as an example.
OnlyFans doesn’t have an app but they’re still in business. We must educate people about not relying on apps for everything.
Notifications of new content are nice.
Background play of exclusive podcasts for one thing. I suppose that might be possible in a browser but playing media from a media player app instead of a browser is certainly going to be a better experience.
Just offer file downloads. I swear the society is regressing technologically speaking (not aiming at you OP)
Every podcast I support on Patreon provides a link that you can plug into your podcatcher to subscribe. I don’t need the Patreon app to listen to the podcast then, just Pocket Casts or whatever I’m using for all my podcasts.
Even the video links are YouTube links.
I don’t doubt that the app makes life easier in some ways, but the website works just fine.
The main shows definitely that is the case for me as well - but there are also Patreon exclusive audio releases that don’t go out on the rss feed for Morning, Somewhere for instance. I also follow shows with exclusive video releases on Patreon that don’t ever go to YouTube and I still get the benefit of a dedicated media app with background play.