YouTube, the popular video-sharing platform owned by Google, has announced a significant reduction in the eligibility requirements for its monetization tools under the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). As a result, smaller creators, including those with smaller followings, will now be able to monetize their presence on YouTube’s platform.
YouTube is offering features such as paid chat, tipping, channel memberships, and shopping features. Under the new eligibility criteria, creators must have at least 500 subscribers, three public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in the past year or 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program. This represents a significant departure from the previous requirements, which demanded a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours in the past year or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.
These new eligibility criteria will initially be implemented in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Taiwan, and South Korea, with plans to extend the changes to other countries where the YouTube Partner Program is available. Other than this, the Shopping affiliate program is now available to eligible US-based creators who are part of the YouTube Partner Program and have over 20,000 subscribers. This initiative allows creators to collaborate with over 50 brands, including Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Wayfair.
It is important to note that while the eligibility requirements for accessing monetization tools have changed, the existing requirements for revenue sharing through ad monetization remain unaffected. Creators who have already met the previous higher thresholds and are eligible for revenue sharing do not need to reapply to the program.
Reducing barriers to entry for monetization provides an opportunity for creators from diverse backgrounds and niche communities to monetize their unique content. This change is expected to encourage a broader range of voices and perspectives on the platform, enriching the YouTube ecosystem.
“As these creators continue to grow their channel, they’ll automatically become eligible to earn revenue sharing from ads and even more benefits once they reach the existing YPP eligibility criteria, without having to go through the full YPP application process again. These existing eligibility requirements to unlock revenue sharing remain unchanged,” stated YouTube in a blog post.
YouTube’s latest move follows a similar trend in the industry, with platforms like TikTok also lowering the bar for accessing creator monetization features. This shift represents an industry-wide recognition of the importance of supporting and empowering content creators, allowing them to generate revenue through additional content offerings and interactions.
The YouTube Partner Program’s revised eligibility requirements and expanded monetization opportunities are set to be discussed in more detail at the upcoming VidCon conference.
