The creator economy is undergoing significant changes, with platforms like Patreon, Instagram, and Substack introducing new features to help creators connect with their audiences and monetize their content. Patreon's State of Create report reveals that 53% of creators find it harder to reach their followers due to algorithmic feeds, and 52% of fans prefer long-form content, which tends to generate more income via ad revenue share. In response, Instagram has launched a new ad format called Testimonials, allowing creators to get paid for written endorsements in comments. Substack, meanwhile, now enables creators to monetize videos and post them directly from its app. These developments reflect the tension between platforms' algorithms and creators' needs, as well as the growing importance of direct connections between creators and their fans.