Throughout the last year, YouTube has rolled out many updates on the platform for creators. While some of these updates are minor, several have changed how we look at YouTube forever. And when we peek into the future, it doesn't look like the pace of innovation will be slowing anytime soon.

In the video above, Rob has done the colossal task of covering every YouTube update from last year! Watch it now to know what hit the YouTube world in 2024. To help you stay informed, we've compiled the biggest YouTube updates every creator should know!

phone laying on pile of money and showing youtube logo

 is the most important step in growing a sustainable career. And YouTube seems to have acknowledged that loud and clear. Changes to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), Shorts monetization, and the positioning of video ads are helping creators earn 

If YouTube rejected your YouTube Partner Program (YPP) application, you could re-apply in 21 days instead of waiting the original 30 days. Also, creators who got rejected a second time had to wait 90 days before reapplying. But, during the waiting period, creators could lose their monetization status.

This Update Could Change the YouTube Partner Program Forever

YouTube has now changed this for the better. Creators will now have a 7-day buffer period to appeal before their income is affected, providing much-needed stability for those who rely on the platform for their livelihood.

Short-form content is here to stay. YouTube now considers videos up to three minutes long as Shorts, granting creators greater flexibility. So, if you've been competing against mini videos that cannibalize your long-form content, your complaints have been heard!

There has also been an increasing trend for YouTube Shorts ad revenue across the platform. In an encouraging sign for Shorts creators, ad RPMs have risen significantly, 

tripling to above $0.10 per thousand views.

 This trend underscores the growing advertiser interest in short-form content 

The opportunities, though, remain severely limited, and creators still need to weigh the benefits of higher visibility against lower income when creating such content.

Instead of allowing you to select the video ads you want to show, such as pre-rolls, post-rolls, skippable, or non-skippable, YouTube will make those decisions for you. It will happen automatically when you decide to monetize an upload.

YouTube Monetization Update: Key Changes for Video Ads

YouTube has said that activating pre-roll ads can potentially boost revenue by over 15%, with a watch time reduction of less than 5%. Creators will still have full control over mid-roll ads and can place them manually.

You can now get discovered from YouTube comments, through a keyword query search directly within YouTube. For now, this update is available on mobile only, but we can expect more updates soon.

Get Discovered By Comments: YouTube Mobile Update

The "Comments" tab on your YouTube Studio has also been renamed to "Community." Its functionality remains largely the same except now with the "Community Spotlight" section, you can check out your most active commenters!

YouTube will also introduce a more dynamic and interactive Community where viewers and subscribers can post content and choose to communicate among themselves.

YouTube took steps to discourage the use of ad blockers

, encouraging viewers to support creators through YouTube Premium. This happened for several reasons:

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.

 Ad revenue creates long-term sustainability for the platform.

But YouTube's latest announcement on new tiers of Premium has left users baffled. YouTube Premium will now have a cheaper tier called "Premium Lite" with limited ads. Although it's said to bypass most ads, the purpose of this new update is not entirely clear.

wrench with the red and white youtube logo

YouTube launched a host of tools last year (and some are yet to come in 2024) to aid creators in their process and make life easier. YouTube isn’t just providing a space to upload videos anymore; it wants to enhance your creative process with a slew of shortcuts!

YouTube's new AI tool translates your video into multiple audio tracks in different languages in practically real-time. This update is being sparsely rolled out as we write and the vidIQ channel doesn't have it yet.

This feature essentially enables creators to reach a massive global audience that was previously untapped for absolutely free! It could be one of the biggest growth tool updates on the platform over the last few years! Currently, the number of languages available for translation is limited but we can definitely expect this tool to become bigger.

YouTube Hype could become a game changer for small channels

. In short, it's a form of fan engagement designed to help creators gain visibility. But unlike the traditional "like" button, which is relatively passive, Hype is an active and impactful form of support. Viewers can “hype” a video, giving it a special kind of acknowledgment that carries more weight than just a like.

In 2024, 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, and the AI will make it happen.

Coming Soon: YouTube Announces New AI Tools for Video Creation

Now with the addition of the text-to-video AI generation tool Veo, which lets you generate 6-second video clips with a simple prompt, there will be a lot of new possibilities with this feature for Shorts.

If you're an educational channel, this update could prove vital to your growth on YouTube. Now you can make "Courses" which work the same way as "Playlists" which will appear under a new tab on your channel. Viewers who watch these courses can interact with each other on that playlist for easier exchange of ideas.

YouTube's incredible reach means this feature has an incredible potential to educate more people on the internet. And while paid courses are still in limited beta, creators might have great opportunities here

YouTube will now have a video editor that creators can use for their content. Here’s what it can do:

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.

Creators can now test up to three thumbnails

 per video, with YouTube selecting the best one based on share of watch time. This is a significant update for those who want to optimize their video's packaging.

In 2024, YouTube will introduce labels to indicate 

, aiming to prevent misinformation and creator impersonation. Soon, creators must self-certify their AI content or risk harsh penalties, like content removal or suspension from the YPP.

YouTube has recently launched a brand-new product that allows creators to stream their content in a vertical, 9:16 format that is usually popular with platforms like TikTok and Instagram. With this new live format, both veterans and newbies of the "Shorts" and "Live" categories have a new way of growing their channel and audience.

 No more deleting and re-uploading videos to handle copyright claims! YouTube’s new AI tool removes copyrighted songs while preserving speech.

 You can now increase playback speed in 0.5 increments up to 2x speed with a slider tool.

 Enhanced integration of podcasts into the YouTube ecosystem, including a dedicated tab and playlist.

 Creators can now select a frame from their Shorts as a thumbnail, but custom uploads are not yet supported.

 External links have been removed from Shorts descriptions to combat spam and scams. However, now you can link your Shorts to a related long-form video and redirect your viewers to more monetizable content.

 Updated policies require fan channels to disclose that they don't represent the actual artist or creator.

You can now filter advertisers from certain websites through Settings on YouTube under the Ad categories tab. 

While the community hasn’t always been on the same page with YouTube’s changes, most of these updates have been received well. We can expect more updates coming our way in 2025. 

kickstart your year on YouTube the right way!

Red play button with yellow warning triangle symbolizing video error or caution alert.

From monetization changes to quirky new tools, check out the biggest YouTube updates from the past year.

25 YouTube Updates that Will Affect Your Channel in 2025

YouTube has consistently evolved its platform to help creators reach new audiences. In the latest update, YouTube introduces a mobile feature to enhance video discoverability through comments. 

This new update changes how viewers search for content, allowing interactions in the comments section to drive more traffic and engagement to videos. Whether you’re a seasoned YouTuber or just getting started, this update can give a massive edge to your visibility!

YouTube’s latest update allows viewers to search content directly from the comments on long-form videos and Shorts. Here’s how it works:

When viewers post comments with popular search terms, YouTube automatically highlights them as clickable search shortcuts. These are shown as blue, bold phrases accompanied by a magnifying glass icon.

When a viewer clicks on one of these shortcuts, they’re immediately taken to a search results page with content related to the term they clicked. Importantly, the original video continues playing in a mini-player, so they can explore without leaving the video completely.

If viewers are watching a Short, clicking a search shortcut takes them to a Shorts-filtered search page, keeping the browsing experience more streamlined for short-form content.

 creates a seamless connection between comments and content discovery, allowing conversations happening in your comment section to drive more views, not just for that video, but potentially for other related videos.

Improving Discoverability Through Comments

Discoverability on YouTube is crucial. With millions of videos uploaded every day, standing out and getting noticed requires strategic thinking. This new comment-based feature creates an exciting pathway to improve your visibility in several ways:

For new creators, building an audience can feel like shouting into the void. But with this update, comments are no longer just a place for interactions—they can now become an active medium for attracting new viewers. When popular search terms from comments become clickable, it opens up another avenue for users to find your content.

Imagine a viewer scrolling through the comments on a popular creator’s video and noticing a search shortcut. Clicking that term might lead them to one of your videos, even if they weren't directly searching for it. This feature gives smaller creators a chance to compete in more relevant searches.

2. Engaging Conversations Lead to More Exposure

By replying to comments with videos, you're not only creating more content, but you're also extending the lifespan of conversations. This adds more engagement signals to your channel, which can potentially increase your video’s relevance to YouTube’s algorithm.

This also means maintaining a healthy and hygienic comment section for the viewers to talk within. Encouraging a vibrant culture in your comment section and keeping it alive and busy might lead new audiences to discover older content on your channel!

Creators can now offer something unique—a direct video response tailored to a specific comment. This allows for more creative engagement and serves as a powerful tool for answering questions, offering deeper insights, or addressing community topics. The content can then be discovered by others searching for related information.

New creators can encourage their audience to discuss specific topics, products, or questions in the comments. When other users click on these terms, the search will feature content from across the platform, giving smaller channels, like themselves, the chance to pop up in results. 

This is a rare opportunity for new channels to get featured based purely on relevance and engagement, not just on metrics like subscriber count or view history.

YouTube Channel Analytics: The 6 Most Important Video Metrics

Now that YouTube has linked comments more directly with discoverability, it’s important to think strategically about how to use this feature for your channel’s SEO. YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes engagement, and video replies to comments can give you an edge in this area.

Extended Watch Time Through Follow-Up Videos

Watch time is one of the key metrics YouTube uses to determine a video’s relevance. Video replies offer a unique way to extend this watch time. For example, if a comment sparks a video output, viewers who come across this video might be inclined to watch your main content too. This can create a feedback loop where video replies direct more traffic to your primary videos, improving the overall watch time on your channel.

More watch time signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable, which in turn boosts your visibility in search results. When creators use this new video reply feature effectively, it can serve as a gateway to more extensive content on their channels, further increasing SEO value.

10 Types of Videos that Attract More YouTube Watch Time

Incorporating Keywords in Comments and Replies

Another SEO advantage lies in the use of keywords. Creators can make use of comments and replies with relevant keywords, just as they would with their primary content. By incorporating keywords into the title, description, and even the dialogue of your video replies, you can increase the chances of your video replies showing up in search results.

For example, if your channel is focused on fitness, and a comment asks for tips on post-workout recovery, a video reply with relevant keywords like “best post-workout stretches” or “quick recovery methods” could be valuable for YouTube’s search indexing.

This integration of keywords into video replies not only answers user queries but also broadens how new users might find your content.

6 Golden Rules for Responding to YouTube Comments

While this update offers many benefits, it’s important to note a few challenges. Moderating video replies could become more complicated, particularly for creators with large audiences. There’s also the risk of spamming or abuse, as commenters may try to flood replies with irrelevant or harmful content.

However, YouTube is likely to maintain strict guidelines to ensure that the comment sections remain a healthy space for interaction. Creators should also be mindful of these challenges and adopt moderation strategies where necessary.

YouTube’s latest update on discoverability through comments could be a game-changer for creators. This feature not only fosters stronger community interaction but also serves as a tool for boosting search discoverability and SEO performance.

Creators who embrace this feature and strategically integrate it into their content strategy will likely see improved visibility, stronger audience connections, and better performance in YouTube’s algorithm. And 

here's all you need to understand the YouTube algorithm

Colorful chat bubbles with YouTube play button and vidIQ logo on pink background

YouTube has rolled out another exciting update aimed at helping creators get discovered more easily through comments! Learn how that works right here.

Sometimes with the relentless growth of YouTube, the behemoth of video platforms, we forget that over 65% of total videos uploaded have less than 100 views. There has been and always will be a disproportionately high number of small creators for every large YouTube creator. This is why YouTube has just introduced a new feature aimed squarely at smaller creators: YouTube Hype. Now, with YouTube Hype, small creators have a new tool to level the playing field—or at least get a boost.

YouTube Hype is designed to provide more visibility for creators with smaller followings, empowering their fan base to have a direct hand in promoting their favorite channels. Here's Rob with all the know-how!

In essence, this feature allows viewers to "hype" videos, offering creators a better shot at discovery, and making it easier for their content to be seen by larger audiences. But what exactly does this mean for small creators, and how does it work?

In this post, we’ll dive deep into the mechanics of YouTube Hype, explore its potential benefits and limitations, and discuss how this new feature might reshape YouTube’s ecosystem for smaller channels.

So, what exactly is YouTube Hype and how does it work? In short, it's a form of fan engagement designed to help creators gain visibility. But unlike the traditional "like" button, which is relatively passive, Hype is an active and impactful form of support. Viewers can “hype” a video, giving it a special kind of acknowledgment that carries more weight than just a like.

A like on YouTube is essentially a quick, low-commitment way to show appreciation for a video, but it doesn’t necessarily move the needle when it comes to exposure. Hype, on the other hand, is much more meaningful. When someone "hypes" a video, it awards Hype points, which directly contribute to the video’s visibility on YouTube’s new leaderboards. These points can propel smaller creators to the forefront, where they can potentially gain a much-needed audience.

This means that while large creators can still gather likes and engagement through sheer volume, smaller channels might now have a fighting chance to stand out—especially with the right fanbase hyping their content.

Every time a viewer hypes a video, they aren’t just offering moral support—they’re contributing valuable Hype points. Unlike likes or comments, these points accumulate and play a significant role in where a video lands on the newly introduced country-specific leaderboards. Appearing on one of these leaderboards could be a game-changer for small and mid-sized creators, offering them a shot at mass exposure that the platform’s algorithm doesn’t always provide.

Think of it as an upvote system that specifically benefits lesser-known creators. The leaderboard system means that a top-performing hyped video has the chance to be featured in the Explore section, where new viewers can discover it. Essentially, Hype points provide small creators with opportunities for visibility they wouldn’t have otherwise.

The Rules for Hype: Scarcity, Strategy, and Time Limits

YouTube Hype isn’t a free-for-all. There are important limitations that creators and viewers need to be aware of, which ensure the system remains fair and beneficial to smaller channels.

First, only videos that are less than seven days old are eligible for Hype. This rule is significant because it encourages fans to hype new content, giving fresh uploads the chance to gain momentum quickly. In an ecosystem where older, viral content can overshadow newer videos, this time-limited feature is a way to inject some fairness into the equation.

Another key aspect of YouTube Hype is that it’s designed to be a scarce resource. Viewers can only hype three videos per week, making it a more thoughtful and intentional action. This scarcity encourages fans to choose wisely, often reserving their Hypes for smaller channels they genuinely believe deserve a boost. As a result, YouTube has cleverly turned Hype into a limited, strategic resource, rather than a free-for-all that could easily be manipulated by larger channels.

Hype Points Multiplier for Small Channels

Here’s where things get really interesting for smaller creators: the number of subscribers a channel has directly influenced the value of each Hype. Smaller channels receive a multiplier effect, meaning that each Hype is worth more points than it would be for larger, more established channels.

This ensures that even if a small creator doesn’t have a huge following, the Hypes they receive can still propel them onto the leaderboard—making it a real opportunity for those who are just starting or have niche audiences.


As exciting as YouTube Hype is, there are some limitations worth noting.

One of the most important things to understand about Hype is that it does not affect YouTube’s recommendation algorithm. This means that while Hype can boost a video’s visibility on leaderboards, it won’t necessarily increase its likelihood of being recommended in the traditional YouTube feed or search results. Essentially, Hype is a separate metric that influences leaderboard placement only, making it a unique pathway for discovery but not an all-encompassing solution for growth.

Understanding the YouTube Algorithm in 2024

YouTube has also announced that there are plans to allow viewers to purchase additional Hypes in the future. While this could create a new revenue stream for creators, it also raises concerns. Will the ability to buy Hypes turn this feature into a pay-to-win system, where those with deep pockets have an unfair advantage? The feature is still in beta, and this monetization aspect hasn’t been fully implemented, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.

Is YouTube Hype a Win for Small Creators?

 of 2,500 viewers ages 18-45 from the US, Japan, and Germany, over 75% of respondents and over 80% of Gen Z viewers said they would like to help small and medium-sized creators grow their channels. There’s no denying that the YouTube Hype feature has some serious potential for smaller creators. Here are the main ways it could benefit small and mid-sized channels:

Perhaps the biggest benefit of YouTube Hype is its potential to help small creators get discovered. With the leaderboard feature giving visibility to hyped videos, small channels that might have previously been buried in YouTube’s algorithm now have a fighting chance to be seen by a wider audience. This could be a game-changer for channels that are just starting or have niche content.

By giving fans a tangible way to support their favorite creators, YouTube Hype encourages deeper fan engagement. In a world where likes and comments can feel somewhat passive, Hype offers a more active way for viewers to show their support. This could foster stronger community bonds, where fans feel a sense of ownership and pride in helping their favorite creators succeed.

If YouTube goes ahead with its plans to allow viewers to purchase additional Hypes, this feature could become a new revenue stream for small creators. While there are concerns about the fairness of a pay-to-win system, there’s also the potential for small creators to benefit financially from dedicated fans willing to invest in their success.

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

Concerns and Future Outlook: Will It Live Up to the Hype?

Despite its promising benefits, YouTube Hype also raises some concerns that small and mid-sized creators should consider.

One of the primary concerns with YouTube Hype is the potential for exploitation. Could bots be used to inflate Hype points artificially, or will wealthy creators simply buy their way onto the leaderboards? While YouTube has safeguards in place, the risk of manipulation is real—especially once monetization comes into play.

It’s also important to note that Hype does not address some of the fundamental challenges that small creators face, such as increasing watch time or growing subscriber counts. For creators under 500 subscribers, for example, Hype alone might not be enough to generate the kind of traction needed to sustain long-term growth. It’s a tool, but it’s not an all-encompassing answer.

Woman celebrating while looking at laptop

Currently, YouTube Hype is in beta testing in select countries, with 50,000 unique channels receiving over 5 million Hypes in just four weeks. This rapid engagement speaks volumes about the enthusiasm surrounding the feature, but it’s still early days. It’s a great way for viewers to become more engaged with your content and directly contribute to your growth.

As YouTube continues to refine this feature and roll it out globally, small creators should be optimistic about the possibilities—but cautious about potential pitfalls. Ultimately, YouTube Hype could be a step in the right direction for leveling the playing field on the platform, helping small creators thrive in a highly competitive space.

10 Things Every Small YouTube Channel Can Improve

YouTube play button icon with vidIQ logo, surrounded by balloons and sparkles on red background

YouTube Hype is an exciting new feature for small and mid-sized creators, helping with discoverability, engagement, and even revenue. Read to know how it works!


Is YouTube Hype a Game Changer for Small Channels?

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.

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

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

YouTube News and Updates

25 YouTube Updates that Will Affect Your Channel in 2025

Get Discovered By Comments: YouTube Mobile Update

Is YouTube Hype a Game Changer for Small Channels?

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