YouTube Tightens Rules for Creator Ad Revenue

YouTube is making it harder than before to earn money through its video-sharing platform. The YouTube Partner Program is introducing several changes to its eligibility requirements, making it more challenging for new creators to qualify for advertising revenue. The new rules are set to take effect from February 1 next year.

New Requirements for New Creators

Under the new rules, a channel seeking access to ad revenue sharing for the first time will need at least 1,000 subscribers, along with either 8,000 hours of watch time over the previous 12 months or 20 million Shorts views in the past 90 days.

Previously, the requirement was 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 hours of watch time or 10 million Shorts views. In other words, while the subscriber requirement remains unchanged, the required watch time and Shorts views have both been doubled.

Guidelines for Existing Creators

YouTube has also introduced new requirements for creators already enrolled in the YouTube Partner Program. To maintain a continuous stream of advertising revenue, Shorts creators will need to generate at least 10 million views every 90 days.

If that number falls below the threshold, creators will not be removed from the program. However, their advertising revenue will be suspended for the following 90 days.

To remain active on the platform overall, creators will need at least 1,000 hours of watch time per year or 1 million Shorts views. However, this requirement will be relaxed if creators upload at least two long-form videos or five Shorts every 90 days.

YouTube will also remove channels from the Partner Program if they fail to upload any new content for six consecutive months.

Premium Lite and New Platform Initiatives

YouTube said the stricter rules will help maintain the quality of content on the platform while creating opportunities for creators to increase their earnings through sources other than advertising.

As part of this effort, YouTube is planning to launch its ad-free Premium Lite service worldwide. A significant portion of the revenue generated from subscriptions to the service will be shared with creators.

Recently, in an effort to compete with mainstream streaming services such as Netflix and HBO Max, YouTube has been acquiring exclusive promotional rights for shows featuring various personalities. It has also introduced new features allowing creators to organize their content in “seasons.”

//DBTech/BMT/OR//