YouTube announces new guidelines for earning revenue on the platform

YouTube, the world’s largest video sharing platform, announced new guidelines for earning revenue on their platform in a move aimed at curbing harmful content and creating a better environment for advertisers. The guidelines will come into effect on February 20, 2018, and will affect content creators across the platform.

The new guidelines involve changes to the required viewing time and number of subscribers that creators need to monetize their videos. Previously, creators needed 10,000 views on their channel to start earning revenue through advertisements. Under the new guidelines, creators must have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months before they can apply to join the YouTube Partner Program.

This change in policy comes after YouTube was hit with numerous controversies involving brands finding their ads placed beside extremist content on the platform. Advertisers, such as Pepsi, Walmart, and Kellogg, pulled their ads from YouTube in protest of their content being placed alongside offensive videos.

The update is part of YouTube’s efforts to address these concerns and improve the safety of viewers and advertisers. The company intends to inform all creators who currently don’t meet the new requirements to reapply to the program once they reach the threshold, emphasizing that this is an attempt to “prevent bad actors from harming the [YouTube] ecosystem”. The move could also force smaller creators to be more careful about the type of content they produce, leading to a more “brand-friendly” environment for advertisers moving forward.

However, many YouTubers are upset because this move could significantly impact their ability to make money through the platform. Creators who are not yet eligible for monetization are understandably frustrated, as it means they will have to create content for free without the opportunity to earn revenue from their videos. Additionally, smaller channels that rely heavily on revenue-sharing income could be disproportionately affected, despite having smaller audiences and less perceived influence compared to larger creators.

The update also raises questions about YouTube’s overall value proposition, particularly among smaller content creators. If YouTube pursues a more stringent monetization policy to a point where it discourages content creation among smaller creators, then the platform may face an uphill battle in maintaining its growth and relevance in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In summary, while YouTube’s new guidelines for earning revenue are understandable given the platform’s recent controversies, it remains to be seen whether the changes will benefit smaller creators in the long term. It is crucial that YouTube continues to strike a balance between creating a safe environment for advertisers, preserving an open channel for creators, and offering viewers a diverse range of quality content.