YouTube imposes strict new rules that prevent 1,000s from earning $$$

Posted by on Feb 9, 2018 in In The News | 0 comments

What do you think of this headline from the YouTube Creator Blog:

Additional Changes to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) to Better Protect Creators

YouTube wants to do a better job protecting creators! Good news, right?

Wrong.

YouTube is cutting off the small guys from its monetization program. It supposedly wants to protect creators from “bad actors” who harm “inspiring and original creators who make their living on YouTube.”

Cutting off monetization won’t stop bad actors. Frankly, the bad guys on the Internet seem to continue their evil deeds just because they can, even if there isn’t money in the proposition.

In any case, YouTube is implementing stringent new requirements if you want to monetize your videos with AdSense ads:

  • You need to have at least 4,000 hours of watchtime over the previous 12 months, and
  • You need to have at least 1,000 subscribers to your channel.

This is going to cut off thousands of small vloggers and hobbyists who have been picking up some extra money via their YouTube channels. YouTube promises that as soon as users meet both of those thresholds, they will be eligible for monetization if they are complying with YouTube policies.

It looks to me like YouTube is turning its back on the small creators that made the platform such a success in favor of a handful of “professional” YouTube creators. It is certainly their right to manage their business as they deem best, but there’s a lot of wisdom in the adage, Dance with the girl that brung ya.

The unintended consequence of YouTube’s move will be to create an opening for a competitor willing to allow monetization for smaller video creators. YouTube’s policy will certainly send new creators who aspire to make money online to different video platforms.

Further, YouTube’s policy seems to fly in the face of the huge movement toward microinfluencers. Content providers can use sites like Twitch and Instagram that have monetization programs without the draconian rules YouTube seems intent on imposing on its creators.

If you search my site, you’ll find a few older posts on ways you can use YouTube to earn money. I guess I’ll have to go back to those pretty soon and add the label “Never mind…” to them.

YouTube says the new policy goes into effect on Feb. 20, 2018. Let’s hope it comes to its senses soon and eases restrictions.

Otherwise, it may be taking the “you” out of YouTube.