YouTube is moving to make it easier for creators to make money off their videos.
To monetize videos on YouTube, creators have to be part of the YouTube Partner Program. Previously, to be eligible for the program, creators had to have at least 1,000 subscribers and have accrued more than 4,000 watch hours on their videos. Now, creators need only 500 subscribers, have three uploads in the past 90 days and 3,000 watch hours.
Once they’re part of the YPP, creators have access to tipping tools like super chats, can create channel membership programs and can promote their own merchandise with YouTube Shopping.
The new policy seems to be a way to push creators into creating YouTube Shorts, the company’s version of TikTok. The videos are usually no longer than a few seconds and can accrue massive amounts of views in a few days. Under the new requirements, YPP members will be able to monetize their channels quickly and easily if they focus on creating short videos.
While the new requirements will make more money for creators, the program benefits a certain kind of creator. Content creators who make longer videos may not be immediately eligible for the YPP due to not having three videos posted in the past 90 days. That means creators who post shorter, and cheaper, videos each week are more likely to benefit from the new requirements.
The new requirements are rolling out in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Taiwan and South Korea. The company plans to go into more detail on the policy at VidCon next month.
