YouTube now requires creators to have twice as many watch hours to start earning money
Creators who want to start earning on the platform will need at least 8,000 qualified watch hours over the past year or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.
YouTube's updated monetization policy has raised the bar for creators looking to earn money on the platform. The new requirements, which include 8,000 qualified watch hours over the past year or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days, are a significant increase from the previous threshold of 4,000 watch hours. This change will likely impact the creator economy, as many aspiring YouTubers will need to reassess their content strategies and audience engagement tactics to meet the new standards.
The updated policy is part of YouTube's ongoing efforts to ensure that its platform is attractive to advertisers and provides a high-quality experience for viewers. By increasing the requirements for monetization, YouTube is attempting to weed out low-quality content and incentivize creators to produce more engaging and professional content. This move also reflects the growing competition in the digital video landscape, as platforms like TikTok and Twitch continue to gain popularity.
As the creator economy continues to evolve, it's essential to watch how these changes impact the types of content and creators that thrive on YouTube. Will established creators be able to adapt to the new requirements, or will this change open up opportunities for new talent? Additionally, how will YouTube's updated policy influence the development of its Shorts feature, and what implications will this have for the platform's short-form video offerings?
Originally reported by techcrunch.com. LiveNewsChannel adds analysis for technology readers.