5 YouTube Changes Small Business Owners Should Know About

YouTube Changes Small Business Owners Should Know About

YouTube has recently introduced new updates to its Partner Program (YPP), designed to provide creators with more earning opportunities and flexibility. These changes include new eligibility criteria for Shorts, enhanced revenue-sharing options, and expanded access to Creator Music. To ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted monetization, creators must familiarize themselves with the updated terms. In this blog post, we will explore the key modifications to the YouTube Partner Program terms and the steps you need to take to continue earning from your content on YouTube.

Introducing Modules:

YouTube, the world’s leading video-sharing platform, is constantly evolving to provide its creators with more ways to monetize their content. Recently, YouTube announced significant updates to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), introducing new eligibility criteria for Shorts, innovative revenue-sharing options, and expanded access to Creator Music. These changes aim to empower creators and offer them greater flexibility in earning from their content. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of these modifications to the YouTube Partner Program terms and guide you through the necessary steps to continue monetizing your channel successfully.

Base Terms:

At the core of the YouTube Partner Program lies the Base Terms, which encompass the foundational contract terms for all creators seeking to monetize their content on the platform. The Base Terms cover crucial aspects such as payment processes, content policies, and additional provisions like country pass-throughs and rights clearance adjustments. Accepting the Base Terms is a prerequisite for all creators currently in or aspiring to join the YouTube Partner Program. Knowledge is power. If you’re familiar with these rules you will also risk fewer chances of your content getting red-flagged for demonetization. This is where many creators fall short. They focus too heavily on just getting content out there without taking the time to make sure nothing in the content violates YouTube’s terms of service. 

Watch Page Monetization Module:

The Watch Page represents the pages within YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids dedicated to the description and playback of your long-form or live-streaming videos. To earn revenue from ads and YouTube Premium on your long-form or live-streaming videos viewed on the Watch Page or when embedded on external sites using the YouTube Video Player, you will need to accept the Watch Page Monetization Module. For existing creators in the YouTube Partner Program, acceptance of this module is necessary to continue earning ad revenue from the Watch Page.

Shorts Monetization Module:

Shorts, YouTube’s short-form video format, has gained immense popularity among creators and viewers alike. To tap into the earning potential of Shorts, YouTube has introduced the Shorts Monetization Module. By accepting this module, you enable your channel to share revenue from ads displayed between videos in the Shorts Feed. Starting from February 1, 2023, you can begin earning from Shorts Feed ads and YouTube Premium revenue on your eligible Shorts views. If you accept this module after February 1, 2023, the Shorts ad revenue sharing will begin accruing from the date of acceptance. For a comprehensive understanding of how ad revenue sharing works for Shorts, we recommend reviewing YouTube’s Shorts monetization policies.

YouTube Shorts are becoming wildly popular online, so understanding how they work and their monetization just became essential to creators. Shorts for those who don’t know are short-form vertical videos that are typically under 1-minute long. They’ve given creators a fun & fresh way to reach their audience & seem to be not going away anytime soon. 

Commerce Product Module: 

Engaging with your audience and building a solid fan base is crucial for sustained success on YouTube. The Commerce Product Module, formerly known as the Commerce Product Addendum, unlocks a range of Fan Funding features that enable you to earn while fostering connections with your fans. These features include channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks. If you have already accepted these terms in the past, there is no need to get them again. We recommend using these to keep your audience engaged! 

Taking Action: 

All YouTube creators need to review and comprehend the new YouTube Partner Program terms. Acceptance of the Base Terms is mandatory for joining or remaining in the YouTube Partner Program. The Shorts Monetization Module is particularly crucial for existing creators, as Shorts ad revenue sharing begins on February 1, 2023. To start earning revenue from Shorts views, you must accept both the Base Terms and the Shorts Monetization Module. Please note that Shorts views accrued before accepting the module are not eligible for Shorts ad revenue sharing.

To maintain your presence in the YouTube Partner Program and continue monetizing your channel, all creators must review and accept the updated terms by July 10, 2023. Failure to accept at least the Base Terms by this deadline will result in the removal of your channel from the YouTube Partner Program, so don’t forget to follow these steps!

Conclusion:

We hope you enjoyed this article on YouTube changes small business owners should know about. The expansion and evolution of the YouTube Partner Program bring exciting new opportunities for creators to monetize their content. The introduction of Modules allows for more flexibility and choice, enabling creators to unlock additional earning potential based on their specific goals. By accepting the Base Terms and relevant Modules such as Watch Page Monetization, Shorts Monetization, and Commerce Product, creators can ensure continued monetization and access to various revenue streams on YouTube. Creators need to review and accept the updated terms by the deadline to maintain their presence in the YouTube Partner Program and maximize their earning potential. Embrace these changes and take your monetization journey on YouTube to new heights.

We hope you enjoyed this article on YouTube monetization changes. Check out our other recent blogs for helpful feedback on how to create the best trending content like POV videos, reels, & more. Contact us by calling or texting 407-334-9378 for a free digital marketing assessment. We will go over your current online presence & will start to form a game plan to help grow your business. Stop worrying about seasonal down periods, lack of online buzz, low-quality leads, or working in areas outside of your area. We help solve problems every day! Talk soon. 

COSMarketing Agency Team Writing Credit: Daniel Ford