New Youtube Monetization Policy - Creators Now Need 1,000 Subs & 4,000 Hours Watch Time
Youtube Changed the Rules in the Middle of the Game
Hey guys, just wanted to bring the new Youtube Monetization Policy to your attention.
Up until very recently in order to monetize your Youtube Channel you needed 10,000 lifetime views. As of the past few days Youtube has changed this policy to where now a creator needs 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in order to request monetization.
While this isn't impossible, it's definitely a much harder challenge than getting just 10,000 views.
At one point anyone could instantly monetize their channel with no requirements. At some point Youtube implemented a new rule that required creators to have 10,000 lifetime views which was a bit of a challenge but a small one and it was good in the sense it kept away the bad apples, people who would just steal and re-upload other people's content and monetize it as their own.
Fast forward to this recent change. What I find most frustrating is that Youtube Changed the rules in the middle of the game. I know @BrianPhobos from Steemit and Youtube has been waiting almost a month for monetization and I'm pretty sure he's also affected by this. I reached the point where I could apply for monetization on a new channel a couple weeks back.
During the couple of weeks my application has been pending they changed the rules in the middle. I find this to be unfair as I had already hit my 10k views, I was already awaiting approval and then I login to see that oh yeah by the way you also need 900 more subs and 3,000 hours of watch time.
That is really the only part that rubs me the wrong way. How do you guys feel about this? Were any of you affected by this change? Drop a comment in the comments section below and tell me about it...
I received emails from YouTube as well and they also informed me that both of my YouTube channels are not eligible for monetization anymore. Kinda sucks. I made about $15-$20 per month with my channels, which definitely adds up.
However, I have been focusing a lot on the Steem platforms instead because Ad revenue is pretty minuscule regardless.
I'm curious as to how AmazonTube would generate more revenue or profit than YouTube. If the rumours are true, YouTube still isn't generating much of a profit and the measures they are going through seem to be to try to get more money in some way.
If Amazon takes over, we will still have a centralized organization, whose main focus is money, paying out content creators. I still think Steem would be better and logical for any content creator to create a powerful stream of income.
We will see I guess.
Hey @kenanqhd sorry to hear about that. I think anyone who was already approved should have been grandfathered in, kind of bad to change the rules in the middle of the game.
Initially I thought Amazon getting into the game may be a good thing ie competition is generally good, however I think it's pretty powerful that Youtube is for the most part the only video platform out there, yeah I know FB has video and Instagram but Youtube is a whole nother ballgame and a different experience. All eyes are on one platform so everyone is there and it's easy to grow. If you Amazon comes out with a tube site we now have our audiences split across multiple platforms and I think it would be tough to grow as quickly. Who knows though, be interested to see what happens.
All they care about is making money. They do not care about how much time and effort people put into making the videos. That is why we are all so lucky to be on steemit. We get paid for our hard work.
Have you heard about this potential Amazon Tube thing that may be comming out in the future? If so what's your thoughts? Initially I thought okay cool competition is always good in the marketplace will force Amazon and Youtube to fight over creators and compete over creators which would be good. That said I think one bad thing is that right now Youtube is basically the place to go for video. I know technically Facebook and Instagram and Snapchat have video but it's not really the same experience. Anyhow, if Amazon came out and stole some of the tube marketshare then we kind of have split or segmented audiences and we have to split our time across platforms and compete for veiwers on both so not sure if that would be good or bad for content creators.
No this was the first I have heard about it. Will have to dig deeper into it.
Yotube's been bullcrap. We're winning with Steemit now.
Shit youtube.
A friend of mine was affected by the mishaps of YouTube. I feel it's unfair to raise one's hopes and dash it at the finishing line. Most people are dropping the idea of trying to monetize their channels now though. It seems to be a waste of time and resources these days
I was a little annoyed they changed the rules while I was waiting for monetization however apparently they are pulling back monetization they already gave out to new creators...
https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/7qyboj/youtube_is_screwing_over_small_creators/
It's so annoying. But what can we do?
We got Steemit, no guard at the gates saying who can and can't make money
The previous rule was better. It's bad for everyone. @rulesforrebels
that's a great post about youtube.
essential and important information about Youtube Monetization Policy.
thanks for sharing @rulesforrebels
Very nic post
This is sad news since it's already tough to get people to watch videos from YouTube newcomers that have low view counts. People are much more inclined to watch videos that already have high view counts displayed from more established or more popular YouTubers.
On top of that, for new YouTubers to get someone to subscribe to their channel AND watch videos all the whole way through - that's an even bigger challenge.
So, I'm sorry to hear that they changed things up on you in the middle of your application @rulesforrebels.
In regards to AmazonTube ... Google is supposedly the largest search engine on the net and then YouTube is the second largest search engine (most likely because it's own by Google). Your average person will go to Google or YouTube to find information.
Amazon on the other hand is a well known shopping platform - not an information hub.
So, I doubt Amazon will be able to convert enough people into thinking that they are now the go-to platform for video watching or for gathering non-consumer and sales information.
Amazon already tried to branch out by creating an Etsy like sub platform for handmade sellers. It was a good idea, but I doubt it put a big enough dent into Etsy in regards to healthy competition.
The monetization system on youtube is in what could only be described as total meltdown. I'm not exaggerating (I really don't want youtube to fail) but if you look at their official forum there are a ton of channels who have been waiting SIX months for monetization having achieved the minimum requirements. I can't really believe anybody is going to voluntarily work for youtube for nothing for six months except those who just aren't interested in money (in which case good luck to them), the new supply of youtubers is just going to dry up as people recognize this.
Btw Great article, great vid, really sums up the whole situation.