One of the things I admire most about creators is their incredible range of talents and skills. They’re storytellers, directors, editors, marketers, and entrepreneurs — all in one. To give creators the opportunities they need to find success, YouTube has evolved from being just a place where people upload and share videos. It’s now a destination where creators can find new audiences, connect with fans in different ways, and build growing businesses.
In just over the last three years, we’ve paid more than $30 billion to creators, artists, and media companies.
We laid the groundwork for this modern-day creator economy over 14 years ago when we launched the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) — a first-of-its kind business model that shares the majority of revenue generated on the platform with creators. In just over the last three years, we’ve paid more than $30 billion to creators, artists, and media companies. And in Q2 2021, we paid more to YouTube creators and partners than in any quarter in our history.
Along the way, we’ve continued investing in new monetization options for creators beyond advertising, includingPaid Digital Goods, merchandise, branded content and more. Our shared goal with creators is to help them build robust and diversified business models that work with both their unique content and community of fans.
Today, with the launch of the Shorts Fund, creators and artists now have 10 ways to make money and build a business on YouTube. Here’s how:
1.Shorts Fund
The YouTube Shorts Fund, a $100M fund distributed over 2021-2022, launches today! Each month, we'll reach out to thousands of eligible creators to claim a payment from the Fund - creators can make anywhere from $100 to $10,000 based on viewership and engagement on their Shorts. The Shorts Fund is the first step in our journey to build a monetization model for Shorts on YouTube and is not limited to just creators in YPP — any creator that meets our eligibility criteria can participate. Check out all the details here.
We're also dedicated to providing funding via our Black Voices Fund and Kids Fund.
2.Ads
Ads have been at the core of creators’ revenue streams, and continue to be the main way that creators can earn money on YouTube. Creators receive the majority of the revenue generated from ads on YouTube.
3.YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is a paid subscription option which enables members to enjoy ad-free content, background playback, downloads, and premium access to the YouTube Music app. The majority of subscription revenue goes to YouTube partners.
4.Channel memberships
With channel memberships, creators can offer exclusive perks and content to viewers who join their channel as a monthly paying member at prices set by the creator.
5.Super Chat
Fans watching livestreams and Premieres can purchase a Super Chat: a highlighted message in the chat stream that stands out from the crowd to get even more of their favorite creator’s attention.
6.Super Thanks
Now viewers can give thanks and appreciation on uploaded videos as well through Super Thanks. As an added bonus, fans will get a distinct, colorful comment to highlight the purchase, which creators can respond to.
7.Super Stickers
Another way followers can show support during livestreams and Premieres is with Super Stickers, which allows fans to purchase a fun sticker that stands out.
8.Merchandise
The merch shelf allows channels to showcase their official branded merchandise right on their watch page on YouTube. Creators can choose from 30 different retailers globally.
9.Ticketing
Music fans can learn about upcoming concert listings and with a simple click, go directly to our ticketing partners’ sites to purchase tickets.
10.YouTube BrandConnect
Through YouTube BrandConnect (previously known as FameBit), we’ve been making it easier for creators and brands to create branded content that is both authentic and effective. BrandConnect brings insights, measurement, and industry expertise to the influencer marketing landscape -- seamlessly connecting brands, creators, and fans.
We’re driven to keep developing new ways for creators to take their businesses to the next level because when they succeed, we succeed as well. At YouTube, we share in celebrating each new milestone hit, or goal achieved. As creators become the next generation of media companies, we’ll continue to deliver more ways to help them do just that.
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