Restrict WordPress Content to Patreon Members

This guide shows you how to gate your WordPress content so only active Patreon members can see it. You’ll learn the two main methods—using a dedicated plugin or a membership plugin—and get step-by-step instructions for each. By the end, you’ll have a working paywall that syncs with your Patreon tiers.

What You’ll Need

• A self-hosted WordPress site (wordpress.org, not wordpress.com).
• An active Patreon creator account with at least one tier set up.
• Admin access to your WordPress dashboard.
• FTP or file manager access (for one of the methods).

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using the Official Patreon WordPress Plugin

1. Install the plugin. In your WordPress admin, go to Plugins > Add New. Search for “Patreon WordPress” and install the one by Patreon (the official plugin). Activate it.
2. Connect your Patreon account. After activation, a new menu item “Patreon” appears in the sidebar. Click it, then click the “Connect to Patreon” button. You’ll be taken to Patreon’s site to authorize the connection. Log in as the creator account and approve the permissions.
3. Select your tiers. Back in WordPress, under Patreon > Settings, you’ll see a list of your Patreon tiers. Check the ones that should get access to your gated content. For example, if only “Premium” members should see it, check that tier only.
4. Enable the “Patreon Only” block. When editing a post or page, click the “+” to add a block. Search for “Patreon Only” and add it. Inside this block, write the content that only Patreon members will see. Everything else on the page remains public.
5. Set a fallback message. In the block settings (right sidebar), you can add a message for non-members. This is what they see instead of your gated content. Include a link to your Patreon page.
6. Publish and test. Save the post. In a private/incognito browser window, visit the page. You should see the fallback message. Then log in with a Patreon account that has the required tier—you should see the full content.

Method 2: Using a Membership Plugin (e.g., MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro)

1. Install a membership plugin. Choose one that integrates with Patreon. Popular options include MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro, and Paid Member Subscriptions. Install and activate your chosen plugin.
2. Create a membership level. In the plugin’s settings, create a new membership level named something like “Patreon Member”. Set the price to $0 (since Patreon handles billing) and set the duration to “Lifetime” or “Never expires”.
3. Connect Patreon via a bridge plugin. Most membership plugins don’t natively connect to Patreon. You’ll need a bridge plugin like “Patreon for MemberPress” or “Restrict Content Pro – Patreon”. Install and activate the bridge.
4. Authorize the connection. Go to the bridge plugin’s settings. You’ll need to create a Patreon API client. On Patreon, go to Creator > My Creators > Settings > API and create a client. Copy the Client ID and Secret into the bridge plugin. Then click “Connect” and authorize.
5. Map tiers to membership levels. In the bridge plugin, you’ll see a mapping section. Select your Patreon tier and assign it to the “Patreon Member” level you created. Save.
6. Restrict content. In the membership plugin, go to the post/page you want to restrict. Look for a meta box or a content restriction tab. Choose “Patreon Member” as the required level. Save.
7. Test the flow. Log out and visit the page. You should see a “Login to view” message. Log in with a Patreon-linked account (the bridge plugin creates a WordPress user for Patreon members). The content should now be visible.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong plugin. The official Patreon plugin only works with the “Patreon Only” block. If you try to restrict entire posts with it, you’ll be disappointed. Use a membership plugin for full-post restrictions.
• Not setting up the API client correctly. The bridge plugin requires a Patreon API client. Many users skip creating one or paste the wrong credentials. Double-check the Client ID and Secret.
• Forgetting to map tiers. If you don’t map your Patreon tier to a membership level, no one gets access. The bridge plugin won’t know which tier corresponds to which level.
• Leaving the fallback message empty. If you don’t add a message, non-members see a blank space. Always add a clear call-to-action.
• Testing while logged in as admin. As an admin, you see all content. Always test in a private browser window or as a different user.

Tips

• Use a caching plugin carefully. If you use a caching plugin, it might serve the gated content to everyone. Exclude the restricted pages from caching or use a cache that respects user roles.
• Consider a “teaser” approach. Instead of hiding everything, show the first few paragraphs publicly, then the rest behind the paywall. This encourages conversions.
• Sync user roles regularly. Patreon memberships can lapse. The bridge plugin usually checks on login, but you can also set up a cron job to sync roles daily.
• Use shortcodes if you prefer. Some plugins offer shortcodes like [patreon_only] or [member]. These can be used in widgets or custom templates.
• Keep your Patreon tiers simple. If you have many tiers, mapping can get confusing. Consider having one “all-access” tier for simplicity.

Troubleshooting

• Content still visible to non-members. This usually means the restriction isn’t applied. Check the post’s restriction settings. If using the Patreon block, ensure you placed the content inside the block, not outside it.
• Members can’t see content after logging in. The user role might not be synced. In the bridge plugin, look for a “Sync Now” button or a “Force Sync” option. Also, check that the user’s Patreon email matches their WordPress email.
• Patreon connection fails. Go to Patreon API settings and regenerate the client. Make sure the redirect URI matches exactly what the plugin specifies (usually https://yourdomain.com/?patreon=oauth).
• Plugin conflicts. If you have other membership or caching plugins, they can interfere. Temporarily deactivate other plugins to see if the issue resolves.
• Error “Cannot read property of undefined”. This is often a JavaScript conflict. Try clearing your browser cache and updating all plugins to the latest versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restrict content without a plugin?

Yes, you can use custom code in your theme’s functions.php file, but it’s complex and requires API calls. For most users, a plugin is easier and more reliable.

Will my Patreon members automatically get WordPress accounts?

With the official plugin, no—they just see the content when logged into Patreon. With a bridge plugin, yes, a WordPress user is created or matched for each Patreon member.

Can I restrict categories or entire sections?

Yes. With a membership plugin, you can restrict entire categories, tag archives, or even the whole site. The official Patreon plugin only does per-block restriction.

What happens when a Patreon member cancels?

It depends on the plugin. Most bridge plugins revoke access on the next sync or when the user logs in again. The official plugin checks Patreon status on each page load, so access is removed immediately.

Is there a free way to do this?

Yes, the official Patreon plugin is free. For membership plugins, some have free versions, but the Patreon bridge often requires a paid add-on. You can also use a free plugin like “Patreon Content” which is a simpler alternative.

Can I show different content to different tiers?

Yes. With the official plugin, you can add multiple Patreon Only blocks, each with a different tier requirement. With a membership plugin, you can create multiple membership levels and map each tier to a different level.

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