YouTube has made significant changes to its policies and features aimed at supporting smaller creators and expanding monetization options.
The platform has lowered the eligibility requirements for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and introduced new avenues for revenue generation, such as paid chat, tipping, channel memberships, and shopping features.
Under the revised policy, creators can now join the YPP with 500 subscribers, which is half the previous requirement. Additionally, the number of valid watch hours needed has been reduced from 4,000 to 3,000, or 3 million shorts views instead of the previous 10 million. Initially, these relaxed requirements will be implemented in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Taiwan, and South Korea.
While the eligibility requirements have been lowered, the rules for revenue sharing through the YPP will remain the same. This means that smaller creators still need to expand their audience in order to earn revenue from advertisements.
Furthermore, YouTube has made changes to its shopping affiliate program. Previously, this program was available only to select creators by invitation. However, it is now open to YPP participants in the United States who have a minimum of 20,000 subscribers.
In February of this year, YouTube introduced Creator Music, a marketplace exclusive to YPP creators in the United States. This platform provides creators with easy access to a diverse catalog of music for use in their videos while still allowing them to monetize their content.
