Global Watchdog Is Now on Patreon: Help Keep Independent Journalism Free

Enjoying Global Watchdog? Fuel the watchdog — Support on Patreon

4 min read

Last updated Updated September 30, 2026

For years, readers have asked me whether there’s a way to support Global Watchdog beyond buying through the affiliate links. Until now, my answer was the PayPal button on the Donate page — and some of you have used it, for which I’m genuinely grateful.

But one-time donations are a blunt instrument, and the whole tip-jar model never quite sat right with me. So here’s the new answer:

Global Watchdog is now on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/globalwatchdog

This Global Watchdog Patreon page is reader support, plain and simple.

Patreon lets you become a monthly supporter of the site. In return, you get a closer look at how the watchdog work actually gets done — behind-the-scenes research notes, polls on upcoming investigations and guides, early peeks at projects in the pipeline, and (at the Inner Circle level) a monthly Ask the Watchdog Q&A where I’ll answer your questions in depth.

What Isn’t Changing

Let me be unambiguous: everything on this site stays free. No paywall. No intrusive display ads. No popups, no autoplay video, no “subscribe to continue reading.” That was the deal when I started Global Watchdog in 2014, and reader support is precisely what makes it possible to keep that deal.

Patreon is a way to support the work, not a toll booth in front of it.

Why Patreon

Independence has a budget. Hosting and software. Research tools and subscriptions. Products bought specifically to test them so you don’t have to gamble your own money. Data and records fees when a claim needs checking properly.

The more of that budget comes from readers, the less any single revenue source can call the shots. That’s the whole ballgame: money from readers means loyalty pointed at readers.

Global Watchdog Patreon Memberships

Join the Pack — Free. Follow Global Watchdog on Patreon for public updates and the occasional behind-the-scenes note. No charge, no obligation.

Watchdog Supporter — $5/month. The straightforward way to keep the lights on. Supporter-only updates, polls on future articles and investigations, early access when it’s practical, and my sincere thanks.

Winston’s Inner Circle — $10/month. Everything above, plus deeper research notes, more say in what gets covered next, early looks at selected projects — and the monthly Ask the Watchdog Q&A: submit your questions, and I’ll answer the best ones in depth.

Everyone who joins in the first 30 days gets permanent recognition as a founding supporter. Early believers deserve to be remembered as such.

Winston has been informed that Patreon income is not exclusively a treat budget. He has chosen to interpret this as a challenge.

Already Waiting for You

The page isn’t empty. Founding supporters already have three posts waiting:

• “Welcome to the Pack — Start Here” — the full tour of what this Patreon is and how it works.
• “How the Flea Savings Calculator Got Built” — the behind-the-scenes story of the calculator now embedded in the flea guides (supporters only).
• “Ask the Watchdog #1” — the first monthly Q&A is open for your questions right now (Inner Circle).

That’s the shape of what membership looks like: the work, shown while it’s happening, plus a direct line to the watchdog.

Fair Questions

Is anything being paywalled?
No. Every article, guide, and investigation remains free at GWMAC.com. Patreon extras are behind-the-scenes material, not the journalism itself.

Can I still donate one-time?
Yes — the Donate page isn’t going anywhere, and the PayPal button still works.

Is my membership tax-deductible?
No. Global Watchdog isn’t a registered charity, so memberships are personal support, not charitable contributions. I’d rather tell you plainly.

Can I cancel anytime?
Of course. A couple of clicks on Patreon, no guilt, no dark patterns, no “are you sure?” maze.

Why I’m Asking

Twelve years in, this site is still just me, a laptop, and a bulldog with opinions. If Global Watchdog has ever saved you from a bad purchase, settled an argument with actual facts, or just made you think — this Global Watchdog Patreon is the single best way to keep it going.

Thank you for reading. And thank you for keeping independent media alive.

— Alan