It's been a while since YouTube shared a big update. But if you poke around the 

 all at once. They reveal significant changes to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), new ways to monetize short and long videos, and music licensing tools.

1. New Rules for YouTube Shorts Monetization

Since 2021, the YouTube Shorts fund has been the primary way to monetize short, vertical videos.

Creators who make popular Shorts get paid through a monthly bonus, which ranges anywhere from $100-$10,000.

The bonus amount depends on how many views a creator is pulling in.

 of views to earn a few hundred dollars each month.

YouTube Shorts Monetization - How to Profit from Short Videos

Unfortunately, the YouTube Shorts fund isn't part of the YPP. So, for now, Shorts views don't count toward the requirements for monetizing a channel, which are 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time.

But YouTube is about to change those rules. In early 2023,

creators who've hit 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views over 90 days can apply to the YPP

. It's an alternative route to becoming a YouTube parter and monetizing one's channel.

Once you're in the program, you'll get access to all of YouTube's monetization tools: ad revenue on long-form videos, 

 with creators. And that split rewards creators with most of the profit (55%) while YouTube takes the other 45%.

This model exists for long-form videos only. But in early 2023, the platform will extend this revenue-sharing model to YouTube Shorts.

YouTube will continue to show ads in the Shorts feed and produce revenue.

YPP creators will receive 45% of ad revenue that comes from YouTube Shorts.

How much money creators earn will depend on their share of Shorts views.

The revenue share will be 45% whether creators use music in their Shorts or not.

3. YouTube Partner Program Tiers, Lower Entry Requirements

This news isn't fleshed out yet, but it's a huge win for small creators.

In 2023, YouTube will introduce a new YPP level with reduced requirements — not the standard 

. Whatever the requirements are, they'll give creators early access to monetization features, like Super Chats and Channel Memberships.

These tiers will also have "creator paths" emphasizing long-form videos, YouTube Shorts, or live streams.

4. Make Money from YouTube Videos That Have Copyrighted Music

Adding music to YouTube videos is trickier than it seems. You have to think about more than the beat, more than catchiness, and way more than finding viral tunes. To monetize your video fully, you must know if the song is copyrighted and whether you have permission to use it. If not, YouTube could demonetize your video.

To make things easier, YouTube is launching Creator Music. This new addition allows creators to license songs from a music catalog and use those tunes in their long-form videos. According to YouTube, licensing will be affordable, and creators will earn the standard revenue share (55%) when licensing through Creator Music. But creators can split the revenue with the track's copyright holders if they don't buy a license.

Creator Music is in beta in the U.S, but YouTube will expand the service in 2023.

Watch this video for more details around the monetization updates:

YouTube has big plans when it comes to monetizing your channel.

4 YouTube Updates That Will Help You Get Monetized Faster

 to help video creators sell their products on YouTube. Eligible creators can connect a Shopify account to their channel, display products within videos, and have viewers buy goods without ever leaving YouTube.

This partnership makes shopping on YouTube much easier. Instead of asking viewers to click on product links, creators can feature the actual products below a video or on end screens. They can also 

 to the top of the live chat for all to see. If an item is out of stock, the listing will reflect that.

And if that wasn't enough, this integration unlocks the 

 on channel homepages — a dedicated space to feature your products.

The YouTube-Shopify integration is still rolling out to creators. But in the meantime, keep reading to see who's eligible for a store and how to connect one.

Which Channels Can Sell Merchandise on YouTube?

If you want to sell products on YouTube, you have to follow a few basic rules. Make sure you meet these 

 before you link a Shopify store to your channel:

 (or you have an Official Artist Channel)

Accepted into the YouTube Partner Program

No Community Guideline strikes for hate speech

No (or few) channel monetization violations

 on YouTube. Viewers must live in one of 28 countries to participate:

If you meet all the criteria above, congratulations! Now you can link your Shopify account to YouTube and start making extra money.

Click Monetization in the left navigation bar.

Click Add Sales Channel in the top right corner of the next page.

 to connect your Google account, complete store requirements, and create or link a Merchant Center account.

Need a quick tutorial? Watch this video guide from Creator Insider to see each step in detail.

If you have products on Shopify, be sure to take advantage of this opportunity. The integration with YouTube allows you to make more money and give viewers (your potential customers) the shopping experience they crave. In fact, 

 say they trust recommendations from creators, which feels like a strong invitation to sell your own merch!

But before you do, check out other ways to make money on YouTube — even outside the YouTube Partner Program.

Want to sell your merchandise on YouTube? A new partnership with Shopify is letting creators feature products in their videos and make more money.

YouTube Partners with Shopify to Help Creators Sell Merch

Do you live outside the U.S. and make money on YouTube? If so, you have a new tax responsibility this year. Creators in this group must submit tax information to Google or potentially have 24% of their revenue deducted for taxes.

As an example, let's say you make $100 on YouTube. If you don’t submit your tax information, the platform may automatically deduct $24 from your revenue. 

That's less likely to happen if you submit the appropriate information. In that case, Google will only deduct taxes from the income you earn from U.S. viewers. So if you earn $100, and only $20 comes from U.S. viewers, taxes will be withheld from the $20 portion – not the entire $100.

This isn’t a YouTube rule, per se. Google is doing this to comply with a U.S. tax law. On this 

, the platform posted the following update:

“Google has a responsibility under Chapter 3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to collect tax info, withhold taxes, and report to the Internal Revenue Service (the U.S. tax authority, also known as the IRS) when a YouTube Partner Program creator on YouTube earns royalty revenue from viewers in the U.S.”

For more information, watch our video summarizing the new tax requirement:

Worried about your YouTube revenue? Here’s what you need to do to keep your taxes in check.

Submit Your Tax Information In Google AdSense

Non-U.S. creators may see taxes withheld from their revenue as early as June 2021. To avoid a general, 24% withholding, submit your tax information on Google AdSense by May 31, 2021.

Scroll down to the U.S. tax info section. Hover your mouse over the pencil icon and click 

Complete the questionnaire to determine which tax form you need to fill out. You can do this online, and the form will be available in the language of your AdSense account.

Need help reaching this section? Watch this video from 

Typically, individuals will fill out form W-8BEN and businesses will complete form W-8BEN-E. Before you do anything, speak to a licensed tax professional about your specific situation.

If you’re part of a multi-channel network, you still need to log in to AdSense and complete these steps.

How much you’ll be taxed depends on three things:

Whether your country has a tax treaty with the U.S.

Whether you’ve submitted your tax information to Google

How much of your revenue comes from U.S. viewers

If you submit tax information, you’ll see the withholding rate in the payments section of your AdSense account. This number is between 0% and 30% and will be applied to all U.S. revenue. That includes income from 

You may owe fewer taxes if your country has a tax treaty with the U.S. For example, creators in the United Kingdom and Canada could have a tax rate of 0%, thanks to treaty laws. In countries like Mexico or Korea, your rate could be 10%.

Living in a treaty location doesn’t qualify you for a tax benefit. But if you submit your tax information now, you have a chance to claim the benefit and reduce your tax responsibility.

Do Taxes Outside the U.S. Still Apply to YouTube Revenue?

Yes! You will still be taxed on income earned in your country, so do your research and plan ahead. Everything in this blog applies to the U.S. aspect of your taxable income.

Editor’s note: The information in this blog is not legal tax advice. If you need guidance, speak to a licensed tax professional.

Google will soon withhold taxes from your YouTube revenue. This only applies to non-U.S. creators, and there's a penalty for not submitting your tax information.

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

Expanding on its promise to uplift Black creators, YouTube has developed a special 

 grant program. Over several years, the platform will invest the money into more than 500 creators to help them develop content and grow their channels.

This year, 132 creators across the world will receive funding. Of that number, YouTube is announcing its list of 36 U.S. creators first, which includes comedian 

. All 132 creators are being recognized as the #YouTubeBlackVoices Creator Class of 2021.

For a brief introduction to the U.S. grantees, watch the video below:

The #YouTubeBlack Voices grant program is made possible by the larger 

. Announced in 2020, the $100M, multiyear initiative was created to amplify Black voices and perspectives on YouTube. Some of the original programs that have been funded so far, such as the “

 emphasized the urgent need for racial justice. It was a timely response to police violence against people of color, especially after the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black citizens in America.

YouTube Has an Ongoing Mission to Center Black Creatives

These initiatives may seem new, but YouTube has been developing them for years. In 2016, the platform hosted its first #YouTubeBlack Summit, where influential Black creators held insightful discussions with one another. In subsequent years, YouTube kept the momentum going with a slew of events. There were workshops, more summits, and exciting festivals, such as the 

Going forward, YouTube will not only fund individual Black creators but help create/pick up YouTube Originals that highlight racial justice and Black experiences. The #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund will help these projects come to fruition, and we’re excited to see what happens.

From all of us at vidIQ, congratulations to the #YouTubeBlackVoices Creator Class of 2021! Whether you’re a YouTube creator or passionate viewer, drop by these creators’ channels to support their content:

*The list above includes 35 creators. According to YouTube, not all 36 creators choose to participate in the formal list.

Following a year of anti-racism protests, YouTube is making good on its promise to both fund and celebrate Black creators.

YouTube Rolls Out Grant Program for Black Creators

 that surprised many creators. Starting November 18th 2020, the platform is placing ads on 

, YouTube can make money from your content - at least until you’re eligible for ad revenue sharing.

But gaining this eligibility is one of the hardest parts of the journey. It can take years to reach the milestones needed - which are 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of channel Watch Time - to get accepted into the YPP and monetize videos with ads.

How to Monetize Your YouTube Channel - A Beginner's Guide

These rules have been in place for three years, so YouTube’s new update adds an interesting twist to the ecosystem. Right now, creators undoubtedly have questions about the future of video monetization.

To shed some light, we filmed an FAQ answering creators’ top concerns. In the video below, you’ll learn the details of YouTube’s monetization update, plus tips for diversifying your income beyond ad revenue.

But for an update this big, sometimes you need to read the information and absorb the details until they make sense. So here’s our written FAQ, which should help you navigate one of YouTube’s biggest changes.

Question - If YouTube monetizes your content, does that mean you're automatically in the YouTube Partner Program? Or conversely, does getting accepted become harder?

The answer to both of these questions is no. The requirements haven't changed, so you still need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 of Watch time to apply to the YPP.

The biggest change is that before you reach those requirements, YouTube has the right to place ads on your videos because you agreed to its 

. But that doesn’t mean joining the YPP will be easier or harder for creators.

How many non-monetized videos will YouTube place ads on?

This is a guess, but probably not many. We don't think YouTube or its advertisers want to risk putting ads on videos with so few views. Channels that aren’t in the YPP don’t have large viewerships, so that feels like a risk not worth taking.

Also, YouTube stated that it would slowly place ads on a limited number of videos. To back this up, Rob Wilson, our YouTuber-in-residence, asked creators if they’d seen ads on channels they knew weren’t in the YPP.  Not many have, so perhaps only a small amount of non-monetized videos are receiving ads.

Will YouTube start monetizing videos that have been demonetized?

If YouTube wants to monetize content smaller creators can’t, the next logical step is to monetize their defunded videos, right?

No, it doesn't work that way. Demonetized videos have that status for a reason, one of which is violating YouTube's advertiser-friendly guidelines. If YouTube wanted to monetize defunded content, it would have to break its own rules in the process.

When creators join the YouTube Partner Program, will the platform issue back payments for videos it prematurely monetized?

For example, let's say YouTube starts to monetize your content, but you're still working toward monetization. By February 2021, you finally reach the necessary requirements and apply for the YPP. When you’re accepted, will you receive three months of back-pay from the revenue YouTube collected while monetizing your content?

The simple and unfortunate answer is no. YouTube will take 100% of the revenue, and you won’t earn any money until you’re in the YPP. Once that happens, the revenue is split between you and YouTube (55% for you, 45% for YouTube).

How will monetized channels be affected by YouTube’s terms of service update?

Realistically, YouTube monetizing content that wasn't monetized in the past doesn't impact smaller creators too much. They weren't earning money anyway, and they have the opportunity to change that by joining the YPP.

But will YouTube’s update negatively impact monetized channels? The answer comes down to supply and demand.

If there's more inventory (videos) available for advertisers to place ads on, they have more choosing power. Instead of picking a monetized channel, they may decide to advertise on a channel that isn't monetized. In that case, YouTube gets all of the profit and both channels lose a money-making opportunity.

But is that going to happen? It's impossible to say yes or no right now. 

Will creators be able to choose when and where ads appear in a video?

If you have a non-monetized channel, what happens if YouTube places mid-rolls ads on your video? Will it destroy the viewing experience of your content, especially if you post ASMR videos, music, or anything that’s best consumed without interruption?

In one example, we spoke to a creator who received a 

 That means some of the content in the video belonged to another creator, and to recoup the loss in revenue, YouTube’s Content ID system placed an ad on the video to help pay the original creator. When YouTube chose a specific ad placement/type, it wasn’t a mid-roll ad interrupting the bulk of the video.

Admittedly, this is a sample size of one video. But when it comes to YouTube placing ads on your behalf, will they avoid placing ads in the middle of a video? Perhaps, but we need clarification from YouTube to be sure.

If you have a monetized channel, you don’t have to worry about this. Anyone in the YPP has complete control over which videos they monetize, what type of ads appear, and where they go on a video’s timeline. 

How can creators diversify their income streams?

By now, you’re probably realizing how unpredictable ad revenue is becoming. YouTube and its advertisers control 99% of that mechanism, including the amount of money you can earn.

To be clear, YouTube’s monetization update shouldn’t impact the ad revenue creators receive. But at the same time, you never want to bet on one stream of income supporting you forever.

This is where you have to put on your business hat and take advantage of the extra ways to earn on YouTube, such as:

These revenue streams give you more control of your financial future. So it’s in your best interest to attract more subscribers, increase your channel’s Watch Time, and get into the YPP. 

That’s the first step to unlocking YouTube’s extra monetization tools and one of many steps to building a career on the platform.

If YouTube runs ads on non-monetized channels, how will creators be affected? In this FAQ, we answer that question and share tips for diversifying your income.

YouTube's Monetization Update: FAQ's for Creators

 has provoked quite a reaction from creators. The platform has just announced that it's going to place ads on some unmonetized channels - 

but it will keep 100% of the revenue share

 as those channels aren't qualified, or haven't applied, to be part of the 

On this week's episode of TubeTalk, vidIQ's Rob, Dan, and I will unpack all the new changes, and discuss the impact they will have on YouTube creators who haven't monetized their channels. You will learn:

The details regarding YouTube's update to its TOS

Which creators are impacted by this, and how

What creators need to consider going forward

We also asked the vidIQ community for their reaction to the news from YouTube regarding ad placement and here's just some of that feedback:

Catch up on the Latest YouTube News With TubeTalk

TubeTalk is one of the most respected and listened to podcasts in the online video industry. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to TubeTalk on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

You can also find the complete list of all the 

YouTube's new Terms of Service allows it to place ads on videos published by unmonetized channels - without offering any revenue share. Find out what this means on this episode of TubeTalk.

YouTube's Terms of Service Update: What it Means for Creators

YouTube just updated its terms of service, particularly the policies around the 

, channel monetization, and advertising. On November 18, the platform announced it would start placing ads on videos from non-monetized channels.

In the updated terms of service document, YouTube describes this as its ‘right to monetize’. Here’s an excerpt from the platform’s 

“Starting today we’ll begin slowly rolling out ads on a limited number of videos from channels not in the YouTube Partner Program. This means as a creator that’s not in YPP, you may see ads on some of your videos. 

Since you’re not currently in YPP, you won’t receive a share of the revenue from these ads, though you’ll still have the opportunity to apply for YPP as you normally would once you meet the eligibility requirements

. You can always check your progress toward eligibility on the monetization tab in YouTube Studio.”

As soon as we heard the news, we filmed a video expressing our thoughts and what this update means for creators. To best prepare for YouTube’s new monetization strategy, give it a watch below:

Despite YouTube’s shocking update, we don't think the platform is going to plaster ads all over the place. Instead, YouTube said it would place ads on a 

 number of videos. If history is any indication of a typical YouTube test, perhaps 5-10% of the platform’s content will be affected.

Nevertheless, YouTube updating its terms of service is significant. If the test goes well, we may see 100% of content monetized on the platform. 

That’s just a guess, though, and a far-reaching one at that. For today, here’s what every creator needs to know about the update.

YouTube’s ecosystem has three major stakeholders - those who create content, those who watch that content, and those who want to sell things to viewers by paying for advertising space on creators' content.

Every time YouTube makes a change to its platform, policies, or service, that balance begins to shift. 

By rolling out ads on non-monetized channels, this latest update shifts more power to YouTube's advertisers. They’ll have a wider selection of channels to choose from when it comes to ad placements - all while annoying users with more ads and infuriating creators who won’t get any of the ad revenue.

Advertisers will make more money, but the stakeholder that stands to earn the most is YouTube. More ads will be shown to viewers, and the platform will likely keep 100% of the revenue.

We aren’t business development experts or economists, so we’re absorbing this news as the average creator would. And to us, it feels like YouTube is making an assertive, legacy-building cash grab.

The Pros and Cons of YouTube’s Monetization Update

YouTube typically shares advertising revenue with its creators, so some of them may be dreading the platform’s new direction. However, there's a silver lining in any challenge, and here are two of the biggest:

There’s a conspiracy theory that monetized videos are more discoverable on YouTube. If you believe in that, then hey - maybe you’ll get more views and reach the YPP requirements faster.

On a serious note, watching YouTube monetize your content is validating. If one of your videos gets selected, maybe you’d have a decent shot at being accepted to YPP in the future.

YouTube gives creators a platform of 2 billion users to grow their channels and make money from their content. That used to happen for free but not anymore. Like it or not, YouTube may use your content to make money at your expense.

For creators who are already monetized, the pitfalls are steep. If advertisers have more options of where to place their ads, they could choose any video - and not yours. For example, if a smaller creator attracts potential customers better, they may receive the ads you’d normally get. But the creator won't earn any revenue, so of course, YouTube wins again.

Beyond the pros and cons, YouTube’s monetization update raises an important question: 

If YouTube decides to place ads on your videos, and you can't monetize them, can you even agree to what type of ads appear on your content?

When a creator enters the YPP, they gain the power to restrict certain ads from their channel - things like alcohol consumption or gambling. Or, they can decide they don’t want ads appearing on their content at all.

For creators who aren’t monetized, we can only imagine they don’t have the same level of control under this new update, and that feels...wrong.

First, we should face the basic facts about YouTube’s new update:

There may be more advertisements on YouTube videos in the future. However, viewers are already accustomed to this and will probably keep watching their favorite creators.

YouTube is going to profit from your content, even if you aren’t allowed to monetize it. 

But consider this: As an unmonetized channel, you weren't going to earn money from those videos anyway.

We have to remember that YouTube is still rented real estate on the Internet. The platform has the right to do whatever it wants, and we can decide whether or not we want to log into the app each day.

The most important thing to remember is this: You still have the potential to start a YouTube channel, upload a video, and reach potentially billions of users. No matter how the ads are distributed, that’s not going to change any time soon.

YouTube has announced it's going to place ads on some unmonetized channels - but it will keep 100% of the revenue share.

YouTube Will Run Ads On Some Unmonetized Channels, But Those Creators Won't Benefit

Note: The impact of Coronavirus is being updated by the hour. The content of this article is correct at time of writing but is, of course, subject to change.

Coronavirus, COVID-19, whatever you want to call it. How do we tackle such a topic? As a YouTube creator, or a viewer, what does coronavirus mean to you right now?

 rapidly changing news story, and what I say right now may not be relevant or accurate in a day or a week. This is the biggest global news story to hit in this new digital media age, and it is one that is impacting billions of lives. It's affecting everything we know and we have to take this topic very seriously. So, from one creator to another, if you are going to post videos on the coronavirus, please do it responsibly.

Coronavirus: How it Changed Everything in Less Than a Week

In the past few days, we've learned that all of the major North American sports leagues, such as NBA, NHL, MLS, have postponed their seasons to prevent large gatherings of people. Schools are closing everywhere and shops are running low on supplies.

Essentially, in the real, physical world, authorities all over the globe are cautioning their citizens against social interaction, and, as a result, technology, the internet, the connected digital world, is going to be tested like it never has been before.

People are being forced into self-isolation or self-quarantine. And if there's nothing to do outside the four walls of their own house, they are naturally going to gravitate towards the Internet for entertainment, and that includes video.

But that comes with an incredible amount of responsibility, especially on a platform such as YouTube, where creators are sharing their information with an audience hungry for answers.

So, YouTube, Coronavirus, creator, viewer. How does this all work? Well, let's start with this question that I do not want to ask, but YouTube must answer. As a creator, how can I get more views and more subscribers and grow my channel from coronavirus?

As I said earlier, in my opinion, I think this is the largest global event of the digital media age, and unavoidably, this creates opportunity.

Coronavirus didn't even register as a search term at the beginning of 2020. Today, it's seemingly the only thing that's searched for. Typing the word into the YouTube search bar, and into 

 will tell you that it has massive search volume, but content to support that keyword hasn't yet quite caught up. Demand outstrips supply, and when that happens, those who have supply capitalize.

Coronavirus: One of the Most Searched For Keywords on YouTube

Forgive me for a second, but I want you to cast your mind back to a much simpler time where the stakes were a lot less important, but the concept was still the same. 

 that anticipated that this may become one of the biggest YouTube stories of the year, and set up a livestream to follow the subscriber counts. That channel benefited with hundreds of millions of views and 2.5 million subscribers. It's probably not going to surprise you, but there are channels out there who are applying exactly the same formula to the coronavirus.

As I search for the term on YouTube and filter by livestreams only, there is one channel called Roylab Stats that began a livestream on the Coronavirus at the end of January, when the concern and the keyword interest was at a fraction of the size it is today.

Right now, there are over 40,000 people watching the numbers the stats, and the graph trends upwards. This channel had less than 1,000 subscribers at the end of January. It's now growing at a rate of over 5,000 subscribers a day.

From purely an objective point of view, this is YouTube at its finest. A creator has discovered a topic that was going to trend in the future and created content before anyone else. They've pitched it well with SEO, and now, a mass audience is desperate for information on this keyword, so are flocking to this video.

Coronavirus is affecting everyone and everything across the globe right now, including YouTube. Let's take a look at its impact on you, the creator.

YouTube Haberleri

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