YouTube has now enabled creators to make live streams in a vertical format through the YouTube Shorts player. Although it is still pretty early to say for sure, this looks like one of the most impactful new features introduced this year. With this new live format, both veterans and newbies of the category have a new way of growing their channel and audience. Sounds exciting? So, let's understand how the whole thing works.

6 Things to Do Before Your First YouTube Live Stream

In an interview with Creator Insider, Rene Ritchie, YouTube’s creator liaison talked to the Product Manager of YouTube Live to better understand this exciting new update. Watch their conversation below:

Vertical livestreams are identical to the regular streams we see on YouTube or Twitch usually, except for the dimensions of the video itself. While they are a new addition to YouTube, vertical live has existed before through platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Compared to regular horizontal livestreams, this format limits screen space and you have less real estate for presentation. This is where Shorts creators might have an edge over others getting into this new mode of creation.

Streaming vertically doesn’t require you to learn new tools and techniques to get started with. As of now, there are 3 main ways to go live vertically on YouTube:

Easily go live in a vertical format directly from the YouTube app.

Preferred for versatility, encoders like OBS studio allow for setting up a vertical canvas for streaming, commonly used by gaming channels.

A tool that simplifies vertical live streaming setup, offering a tailored menu of options for vertical format. StreamYard is a good option here.

5 Tools You Need to Improve Your YouTube Livestreams Today

As of now, there isn’t a dedicated section for vertical livestreams. Vertical live streams are somewhat hidden but can be found by pausing a YouTube Short and tapping the "Live" chip at the top, leading to a feed of live streams.

You may also come across one of these streams just while passively scrolling through Shorts on your device. This means more chances to get fresh eyeballs to your content.

As mentioned above, this feature is still at a nascent stage to tell us how impactful it really is to your channel overall. But we can surely expect certain things:



 There's high potential for new viewer discovery due to lower competition and novelty.

If your viewers are already entertained by Shorts or Live content, then it is a no-brainer to try this new feature out.

Experimenting with new formats while understanding the potential impact on viewer engagement and channel growth, and will establish the meta on these livestreams.

Our in-house YouTube experts were quick to get in the midst of the action themselves immediately with this new feature update. Rob and Dan hosted our channel’s first vertical livestream and discovered some interesting insights. Watch the stream VOD below:

The first challenge they faced was to arrange the elements on the screen to fit within the 9:16 aspect ratio, something they were not used to.
Over 50% of viewers in the stream were new to the channel, which indicates good reach but unclear long-term engagement.

While the number of viewers was more, the time spent by each viewer on the stream was less resulting in lesser watch time compared to usual streams.

It is important to consider whether you want to make vertical content genuinely and whether vertical streams align with your content strategy, rather than doing it just for variety. YouTube hasn’t mentioned yet how hours collected from these streams will contribute to 

, so expect some news on that front soon. To understand this better, watch the video below:

Over the last three or four years, every streamer that has experienced massive growth has achieved this through short-form content. Most of us watched 

, and other big streamers through their clips first. And with vertical live, the format is already taken care of!

their own dedicated groups of paid clippers.

 So, if you're starting, this might seem like an unfair battle. Using vidIQ's 

 will give you the chance to compete without burning resources! Here’s how it works from start to finish:

 Choose any video you’ve already published or recorded. This could be a tutorial, livestream, interview, or any format with strong moments worth highlighting.

Let AI scan it for the most engaging moments:

 The tool uses AI to analyze your content for sections with high engagement potential. It looks for natural hooks, memorable lines, and visually interesting segments that will translate well into short form.

 In just a few minutes, you’ll have a batch of polished clips sized perfectly for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, or other vertical platforms.

When done right, clipping helps you reach new audiences, extend your content’s lifespan, build engagement, and funnel more viewers into your live streams. Seize the opportunity and 

A phone with the YouTube logo with the word "Live" below.

Smartphone screen showing YouTube Live streaming icon with play button on display

Learn how YouTube's latest vertical livestreaming feature works and if it is worth it for you to pursue.

YouTube Vertical Live: Is It For You?

If you use an ad blocker on your browser and have tried to watch a YouTube video recently, you may have seen a prompt like this pop up:

“Ad blockers violate YouTube’s Terms of Service."

“It looks like you may be using an ad blocker. Video playback is blocked unless YouTube is allowlisted or the ad blocker is disabled."

“Ads allow YouTube to be used by billions worldwide at no charge."

“You can go ad-free with YouTube Premium, and creators still get paid from your subscriptions."

YouTube's stance against ad blockers has been a topic of heated discussion among creators and viewers alike. While ad blockers may seem like a convenient way to skip through commercials, their impact on the YouTube ecosystem is far-reaching.

Let's delve into some critical questions to understand why YouTube is cracking down on ad blockers and what it means for everyone involved.

Why Is YouTube Taking a Stand Against AdBlock?

, ads have contributed the lion’s share of revenue for most creators. And, YouTube has consistently earned lots of ad revenue in comparison to other platforms. So, it’s necessary to keep the advertisers happy and returning to the platform year after year, and adblockers stand in total opposition to this.

YouTube reported a significant fall of 2.6% year over year

 as advertisers pulled back from the platform due to economic uncertainty. YouTube raked in $6.69 billion in advertising revenue in early 2023 compared to $6.87 billion during the same period last year. So, it makes sense for YouTube to become proactive now!

How Does This Affect Your YouTube Channel?

Even if you aren't monetized, YouTube's new approach to ad blockers could affect your channel. The first two sentences of the error message (above), emphasize that YouTube is responding to ad blockers by 

A monetized creator will feel the sting of this, but not as sharply as someone who isn't monetized yet. New creators need every video view and every ounce of watch time to 

 for the YouTube Partner Program and get monetized. It's hard to do that when your videos aren't being shown to some viewers!

YouTube shares ad revenue with creators, offering them healthy pay for their efforts. Ad blockers cut into this shared income, affecting the platform's financial health. 

So, the revenue generated from ads helps YouTube invest in new features and improve user experience.

Plus, these benefits are also at stake if ad revenue disappears:

 To continue producing high-quality content, creators need financial support. Ads provide that cushion.

By watching ads, viewers help to compensate creators for their effort and time.

YouTube has been working on making ads more relevant and less intrusive, which could improve the overall viewing experience.

Ad revenue creates long-term sustainability for the platform.

With reduced revenue, YouTube might find it challenging to support creators, which could lead to a decline in content quality.

Just Got Monetized on YouTube? 4 Tips to Boost Your AdSense Revenue

How to Increase Views, Revenue, and Watch Time Despite Ad Blocking

Now that you know how ad blockers affect your channel, is there anything you can do to keep your metrics high? Absolutely!

 how ad blockers hinder you from creating the content they love. In the same way that you ask for likes and comments, ask your viewers to disable their ad blockers. Emphasize that you love your community and you want to be there for them always. If they can't watch your videos due to ad blockers, it's almost impossible to build that relationship.

, a service that allows for ad-free viewing. 

 YouTube made it clear that using ad blockers is a no-go according to their Terms of Service. However, YouTube will warn viewers of that fact and ask them to disable any ad blockers. If the requests are ignored, that's when playback may be disabled.

The crackdown on ad blockers is not just a move to protect the platform's revenue but also an effort to sustain the community of creators who rely on that revenue. 

So, the next time you think about using an ad blocker, consider the bigger picture and how it impacts other creators.

And if you're not monetized yet, don't make these three mistakes with your channel!

Browser window with red "Skip Ad" button and cursor hand icon clicking it

YouTube revenue isn't the only thing in jeopardy when viewers use ad blockers; they also affect channel views and watch time. Here's why!

Can Ad Blockers Tank Your YouTube Views and Watch Time?

 for creators who want to make, edit, and upload their videos faster. The platform is rolling out 

, and from what we’ve seen, these updates could be game-changing. YouTube isn’t just providing a space to upload videos anymore; it wants to 

 your creative process with a slew of shortcuts!

A graphic explaining the new AI tools by YouTube

YouTubers have always pushed the boundaries of creativity, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy task for most people. After all, coming up with video ideas that are not only entertaining, but also original, is hard work!

To ease the journey, YouTube will share AI-powered insights with creators, which they can use to make engaging content. The new tool will suggest video ideas and even provide 

 using powerful data and analytics! Essentially, YouTube is going to share personalized insights for your channel based on what people are viewing.

YouTube's inspiration tool suggests a content outline for a video idea

So, be on the lookout for this new tool in the YouTube Studio! It could reduce the time you spend brainstorming and researching new video ideas.

The best videos on YouTube have more than great visuals. They also use sound to create an atmosphere so enticing, you can’t help stay put, relax, and feel the vibe. YouTube knows this and wants to help you find the right backing tracks for your content!

And, fortunately, it’s not going to take hours. With assistive search for Creator Music, you can find tracks for your YouTube videos in no time. All you have to do is explain what you’re looking for, whether that’s upbeat dance music or chill, lo-fi beats. The search assistant will recommend tracks to you, which is much faster than browsing YouTube's Audio Library.

In a few months, YouTube will test a new tool called Dream Screen. The name of this feature is spot-on because it sounds exactly like what it does. Whatever you can “dream of,” YouTube will place it in the background of your YouTube Shorts! Just describe what you want to see, whether that’s a cow jumping over the moon or rolling sand hills in a scorching desert.

The prompt "panda drinking coffee" appears on a mobile screen

Best of all, you can create AI-generated images 

YouTube is rolling out Dream Screen to select creators before a broader push next year.

Also, YouTube is launching Aloud, an AI tool for dubbing videos in various languages. It’s launching next year, but when it does, millions of creators will have the chance to reach a wider audience on YouTube.

Like others, this tool will be available in the YouTube Studio. It will also support automatic dubbing!

Want to edit YouTube videos from your smartphone? If so, you’re in luck: YouTube is launching a video creation app called YouTube Create! Its main function is to help you 

 and intuitive features that work for both Shorts and long-form videos.

A graphic shows preview of YouTube Create app

Synchronize video clips to the beat of your music.

YouTube Create is in beta right now, but a few Android markets have access to the free app.

The Future Is AI, but with Human Oversight

 of announcements. We know it’s a lot of information to take in, but this video will help you make sense of the news:

It’s safe to say the future of AI is looking pretty bright, especially on YouTube. But could AI eventually replace human creators? If we had to guess, we’d say, “Not at all.” If anything, creators will have more access to AI, and they will use it to enhance their content.

So, get excited creators! When it comes to heavier tasks, like editing, dubbing, trimming, or even finding the right music, help is on the way.



And, if you're interested in more ways to automate your channel, here's a handy guide.

Close-up of smartphone screen showing YouTube app icon on a red background.

YouTube is launching a handful of AI tools to help you make videos faster and easier. Keep reading to see what they are!

Coming Soon: YouTube Announces New AI Tools for Video Creation

Have you ever wondered why thousands of viewers will watch a YouTube Short but not the longer videos on a creator’s channel? It’s a common issue, and one that has bothered YouTubers since the beginning of the Shorts era. After all, long-form videos are easier to monetize. Why 

YouTube knows this, and that’s why the platform is introducing 

. These are persistent links that appear near the bottom of the screen, sending viewers to a long-form video 

YouTube creator pointing to a long-form video link in a Short

This update comes after a recent change on YouTube that 

 from every part of a Short: the comment section, the description, and even the live chat. So this update, which restores 

 link capacity, is sure to excite creators.

How to Put Related Links in Your YouTube Shorts

Content option in YouTube Studio navigation

2. Find the Short you want to edit, then click the pencil icon beneath it.

Pencil icon the the right of a YouTube Short

Related video section of the video edit page

4. Browse your content to select a long-form video to link inside of your Short.

Video selector for choosing related videos

Need a quick tutorial? Watch this video to see each step in real time.

Linking out to long-form videos from your Shorts is a smart move, but truthfully, 

. That means you can add a link to your latest livestream, a recent long-form video, and other Shorts on your channel! 

Shorts, Longs, and Lives: How to Compare YouTube Views from All 3

The tool is fairly new, but you have some freedom when deciding which videos to recommend (although we suggest sticking to long-form videos).

On a mobile screen, related links look like video titles instead of buttons you can tap. They're positioned right below the title of a Short, and they have a small, white play button icon.

Example of a content link, which appears below the YouTube Short video title

Look closer, and you'll notice there is also some some 

. Viewers can click those words — pulled directly from the recommended video — to watch suggested content.

not everyone has access to related links.

 You’ll have to verify your YouTube channel first to unlock advanced features (like adding related links in Shorts).

And finally, you can only add related links 

. But we’re guessing it’s only a matter of time before YouTube enables this feature in the mobile app.

The idea of connecting long-form videos to Shorts isn’t just intriguing; it’s incredibly exciting! But how do you get people to click on related links in the first place?

make sure the video you’re recommending is related to the Short.

For example, imagine that someone is watching a Short about growing organic bananas. The content link should be closely related to that topic 

 complement the Short that viewers just watched. A lengthy guide to growing organic bananas, which is relevant and helpful, would be an excellent choice.

 that drives viewers to your related link. Ask them to tap the link below, then physically point to its location near the bottom of the screen. Do all of this while explaining 

 they should tap the link, and you’ll get more views.

With YouTube's new related links, you've got another chance to boost your channel's overall views. Think of it as a bridge between your usual videos and those snappy YouTube Shorts you’re posting right now. Or even a bridge that goes from Shorts to livestreams!

Of course, you need more YouTube Shorts views if you plan on sending viewers to the rest of your content. So, here’s an awesome guide to help you crush it!

A smart phone showing YouTube Shorts logo

Smartphone displaying YouTube Shorts logo with black and red earphones on red background

Clickable links are returning to YouTube Shorts, but this time, they’ll send viewers to long-form videos on your channel. Keep reading to learn more!

YouTube Unveils 'Related Links' to Connect Shorts and Long-Form Videos

Have you noticed how hard it is to make decent money from YouTube Shorts? For advertising revenue, the pay can be as low as $0.05 per 1,000 views, or in other words, $50 for a video reaching 1 million views. We’ve talked about this on the blog 

How do Shorts creators earn a decent wage?

Historically, the answer has been off-platform sales. Many creators try to grab viewers' attention on YouTube, then guide them to a site that offers courses, products, subscriptions, or even exclusive content. So, even if Shorts revenue was low, earning from other sources wasn’t too difficult — until now.

Beginning August 31, YouTube will make sure that links of any kind 

 within YouTube Shorts. That includes the comments section, the description section, and the livestream chat.

This means that, going forward, you won’t see blue hyperlinks you can simply tap to arrive on a webpage outside of YouTube. You’ll have to copy and paste the links into your web browser (and so will your viewers).

Why Is YouTube Disabling Clickable Links in Shorts?

Removing clickable links from Shorts may seem like a drastic change, but YouTube has a good reason for doing it. The platform released 

“Since introducing Shorts two years ago, the volume and speed of content published on YouTube has increased in fun and exciting ways. At the same time, this speed and level of engagement has made it easier for spammers and scammers to share links in Shorts comments and Shorts descriptions that harm the community — for example, 

clickable links that drive users to malware, phishing, or scam-related content

YouTube's update about clickable Shorts links

While it’s frustrating to lose a good feature, YouTube’s ultimate goal is protecting viewers from scam artists.

YouTube is ‘Moving’ Links to This Section of Your Channel

Ok, so losing clickable links isn’t the 

 news in YouTube Shorts development. But, you may be wondering if there’s a silver lining to the madness, and, yes, there is!

Remember that section of your homepage that used to have social media links?

vidIQ YouTube banner showing now disabled social media links

Well, YouTube is bringing a version of this back to your channel. In 2024, you’ll be able to add “

” under the about section, and they’ll appear on both desktop and mobile.

If you’re a creator who needs to push viewers off-platform for any reason, this will be the place to do it.

But don’t just rely on homepage links. You can also use end screens to show links at the end of a video, and that’s a much better way to sell stuff to your viewers.

By the way, do you need a refresher on end screens? Here’s how to use that awesome feature!

Smartphone showing YouTube logo lying on pile of money

Smartphone displaying YouTube logo on screen, surrounded by US $100 bills.

Say goodbye to clickable links in YouTube Shorts.

This Money-Making Feature Is Leaving YouTube Soon

Following the update on Shorts monetization

, YouTube is now changing its application policy for the Partner Program. This will mostly impact creators who want to monetize a small YouTube channel, so if that sounds like you, keep reading!

We all know that you need 1,000 subscribers along with either 4,000 hours of watch time or 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days to be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program. But meeting this requirement is just the first step. You actually have to apply for the program, and that’s where things are about to change.

How to Join the YouTube Partner Program and Monetize Your Channel in 2024

YouTube changed the structure of the Partner Program

, offering creators more flexibility and opportunities for revenue generation. These changes include the introduction of modules, new eligibility criteria for YouTube Shorts, and access to Creator Music.

Modules allow creators to choose how they monetize on YouTube, whether that’s through watch page advertisements, ads on Shorts, and fan funding through Super Chats, Channel Memberships, and more. 

If you haven't accepted these new terms, get moving: YouTube is asking creators to accept at least the base module by 

New YPP Terms - Accept Them Now to Keep Monetizing on YouTube

New Application Rules for the Partner Program

Following the modules update, YouTube is making even more changes to its monetization program.

 once you've been rejected will change. If you apply and are rejected for the first time, you’ll have 

 Then you'll have to wait another 30 days before re-applying.

If you’re rejected a second time, you’ll still have 21 days to appeal, but you can only re-apply 

.

While this may seem harsh, it’s a balanced approach because YouTube is prioritizing new applicants over repeat ones.

Along with the new application rules, YouTube emphasizes that both monetizing partners and new applicants should avoid these activities on YouTube:

Uploading videos that seem like duplicates

Reusing other creators' content, which isn't considered original or transformative

Using fake engagement to get more likes, views, subscribers, and watch time

Engaging in deceptive practices, like impersonating someone or running scams.

, making these mistakes could lead to channel suspension. And re-applying means you have to go through a 21-day appeal period followed by a 90-day wait.

, you might not become a YouTube partner at all if you make these mistakes.

Creators must accept the new YPP terms by 

, to join the program or continue monetizing through it. So, go ahead and do that right away. If you want Rob to explain this whole update in detail, click below!

YouTube logo displayed on smartphone screen over US hundred dollar bills background.

The application policy for the YouTube Partner Program is getting a notable update. Find out how it affects you.

This Update Could Change the YouTube Partner Program Forever

From Pink Guy to iShowSpeed, YouTube has had fantastic creators with not-so-mannered mouths. And if you want to take that route as a creator yourself, you don’t need to worry about getting demonetized anymore!

strict regulations around the usage of profanity in videos

With little distinction between "strong" and "moderate" cursing, the original policy would flag any video that contained foul language in the first 7 seconds as being unsuitable for advertising. Also, it appeared that the regulation was retroactive, as many creators complained that their older videos were no longer eligible for advertising.

The creator community wasn’t happy with this change and there was a lot of backlash. They didn't like how videos featuring any kind of profanity were automatically demonetized, and as a result, YouTube revised the rules.

At present, creators who use coarse language in the first 7 seconds of a video are still eligible for advertising, unless used throughout the entire video. According to 

, if the profanity is "moderate," the video won't be subject to any limits; nevertheless, if it contains strong language in the first few seconds, the video may only receive "limited advertisements."

And here's more info about the March 2023 update:

What Are the Consequences of Using Profanity Then?

There is undoubtedly still some ambiguity about this. As profanity cannot be used in the "majority of the video," it's unclear what will happen if you swear more often. However, there are a few things we know for sure:

If using profanity has stopped you from earning more money on YouTube, then worry no more! This YouTube update will benefit you.

YouTube News and Updates

YouTube Vertical Live: Is It For You?

Can Ad Blockers Tank Your YouTube Views and Watch Time?

Coming Soon: YouTube Announces New AI Tools for Video Creation

YouTube Unveils 'Related Links' to Connect Shorts and Long-Form Videos

This Money-Making Feature Is Leaving YouTube Soon

This Update Could Change the YouTube Partner Program Forever

Swearing Moderately on YouTube Won't Demonetize You Anymore

4 YouTube Updates That Will Help You Get Monetized Faster

YouTube Partners with Shopify to Help Creators Sell Merch

Non-U.S. Creators: Do This to Avoid a 24% Tax on YouTube Revenue

YouTube Rolls Out Grant Program for Black Creators

YouTube's Monetization Update: FAQ's for Creators