Death of the Follower: TikTokification

The death of the follower is more relevant than ever, even though the talk was given two years ago. Today, even LinkedIn and many other platforms are TikTok-ified.

Basically, all Social Media Algorithms have changed, so you can’t reach your followers anymore. It started with TikTok, but with the latest LinkedIn updates, it’s the same there, and on YouTube as well.

Jack Conte explains it so well, and created Patreon therefore. His Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web talk at SXSW 2024 Keynote - the AI Highlights from YouTube:

Creator led the community to the platform first:

It’s hard to reach your followers. It’s defined by the Algorithms

In 2010, when Google ranked our website (and still does today), and in 2020, with the death of the follower, we no longer reach our own followers. It’s what the TikTok algorithm introduces and is now spreading everywhere. It’s the TikTokification.

And today (2026), the AI chatbots are another beast, stealing a writer/blogger’s intellectual property and sharing it without anyone ever visiting our website.

Bluesky is different

If we’d been using a network like Bluesky, where you actually see what you follow, and no algorithm decides, it’s actually still pretty OK. You can actually follow the users. Plus, it’s built on an open protocol called AT Protocol.

The birth of the followers was YouTube Jack said. People were seeing what you upload, every time.

And with that, according to Kevin Kelly you needed (1000) True fans to make a living. Today, if we can’t reach our 1000 followers, so it doesn’t matter anymore how many we have and is more of a Vanity Metric.

Source

Source: Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web with Jack Conte | SXSW 2024 Keynote - YouTube

• Bluesky
• Gumroad
• Discord

AI Summary of the full video

• The internet has evolved from Web 1.0 (read-only) to Web 2.0 (interactive) and is now potentially entering a new phase where the concept of the follower is weakening.
• The speaker started making music and videos in 2007, leveraging Web 2.0 platforms like YouTube to reach an audience.
• The “subscribe” button was foundational in Web 2.0, enabling creators to build a following around their work.
• Kevin Kelly’s concept of “1000 True Fans” emphasizes the importance of a core group of dedicated fans who support creators through purchases and engagement.
• Social media algorithms and platforms like TikTok prioritize engagement and attention, potentially breaking the direct connection between creators and their followers.
• The speaker expresses concern about the “death of the follower” and the challenges creators face in reaching their audience and building community.
• Patreon is evolving from a membership platform to a comprehensive platform focusing on media, community, and business, aiming to strengthen direct-to-fan connections.
• Patreon’s new features include community spaces, commerce tools, free membership options, and live experiences through the acquisition of Moment, all designed to foster deeper fan engagement.
• Creators should invest in true fans, make beautiful things that resonate with them, and stay true to their artistic vision and goals.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing what you want as an artist and not letting external metrics or algorithms dictate your creative output.

• Well Being in Times of Algorithms (obs)
• Open Social with AT Protocol and Bluesky as an example app, see Tangled as another one.
• Social Media Addiction
• Surveillance

Origin: Jack Conte on Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web with Jack Conte | SXSW 2024 Keynote - YouTube
References: Social Media Addiction, Stolen Focus- Why You Can’t Pay Attention (Johann Hari), Birth of the Followers