YouTube Makes It Easier For Novice Content Creators To Earn

YouTube recently announced it will be expanding and evolving the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), a program that will see novice content creators be eligible to earn from YouTube including Ad revenue and opening access to Creator Music.

Initially, this was possible only if they had more than 1000 subscribers and a considerable viewership. Only then, they would begin their earning journey but as of mid-June 2023, the formalities have changed for the better, for small content creators.

YouTube has updated its monetization policies making it easier for those with small followings to earn, but there is a catch, the YPP will be open to creators when they amass 500 subscribers, half of the number that YouTube previously conditioned. Additionally, they will need 3000 valid watch hours instead of 4000 or 3million shorts view compared to the initial 10 million. This policy is available in multiple countries.

As a result of these modifications, content creators get access to fan funding features like channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Thanks, and more. Super Thanks, which is currently being tested on the platform, enables users to show appreciation to creators by tipping them with options ranging from $2 to$50 (or the regional currency equivalent).

In the meantime, creators are given a grace period to review and accept the YPP terms. They have until July 10, 2023, or they would have their channel struck down from YPP and their monetization agreement revoked, demanding them to re-qualify and re-apply to rejoin.

However, YouTube needs to address the monetary allocation to each state or country. Kenyan creators earn as low as $10 (KES 1000) per 10,000 views from their viewership and sometimes depending on sponsored content paid by clients. This is in contrast with Western Countries where creators tend to earn more from the platform. It is not a guarantee that every person in your watch list has viewed an ad, some tend to skip, and some have ad blockers installed. Therefore, the number of viewers will not directly determine the earnings from YouTube.

To think things will get better, a 15% tax which was recently cut down to 5% is imposed on content creators in Kenya. This, as the creators  lament, saps their motivation and hinder them from earning a sustainable income.

All in all, YouTube is on the right path in ensuring inclusivity in the digital space, and creating a source of income.