YouTube has announced changes to its monetization policy by expanding the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) to make it more accessible for creators. The platform has eased the eligibility criteria, allowing creators with just 500 subscribers and a total of 3,000 watch hours to earn through their YouTube channels.
New YouTube Partner Program
These changes to the YPP program are being implemented in select countries, including the UK, US, Taiwan, South Korea, and Canada, starting from mid-June 2023. Unfortunately, Indian YouTube creators will not benefit from these changes.
Previously, YouTube creators needed a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 valid watch hours in the last 12 months on their long-form videos or ten million valid public short views in the last 90 days to be eligible for the YPP Program.
New YPP Eligibility Criteria
Under the new eligibility criteria, creators will require a minimum of 500 subscribers and 3,000 valid public watch hours on long-form videos in the last year or three million valid short views in the last 90 days to join the YPP program.
Once a YouTube channel meets the eligibility criteria, the creator will gain access to monetization features, such as fan funding and select shopping options provided by YouTube. Creators can use the ‘Get notified’ option in the ‘Earn’ section of YouTube to be informed when they are eligible for the YPP program. YouTube will notify them through email.
How to Join YouTube Partner Program
To join the YPP program and start earning through their content on YouTube, creators can follow these steps:
Step 1: Sign in to YouTube and click on your profile picture.
Step 2: Select YouTube Studio and click on ‘Earn’.
Step 3: Choose ‘Apply’ and click ‘Start’ to begin.
Step 4: Accept the terms and set up an AdSense account or link an existing one.
Step 5: YouTube will review the application and notify the creator when their channel becomes monetized. The review process usually takes around a month.
These changes aim to provide more creators with access to monetization features and the opportunity to generate revenue through advertisements on their YouTube content.