Latest YouTube News, Platform Changes, and Industry Trends

New YouTube monetization rules 2025: what creators need to know

Andy Davidson — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:11:00 +0000

It’s 2025. YouTube monetization rules have changed. YouTube recently rolled out a significant update to its monetization system that is already live on all channels. This update introduces new monetization tools and changes how mid-roll ads—the ads that play during videos longer than eight minutes—are placed and managed. Whether you’re already part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) or working toward monetization, understanding the new YouTube monetization rules (2025) is key to optimizing your revenue and maintaining a great viewer experience. Table of contents What has changed? How YouTube mid-roll ads worked before 2025 While creators are always looking for ways to diversify content income sources, ad revenue is still the primary source of income on YouTube for most creators. Mid-roll ads play a major role. Previously, creators could either let YouTube automatically place mid-roll ads or manually insert them at specific points in their videos. Manual placement gave creators control to position ads at natural breaks like pauses or topic changes, aiming to avoid disrupting viewers. However, some creators tried stacking multiple mid-roll ads—sometimes 10 or 20 within a single video—thinking more ads would equal more money. But too many ads, or ads popping up in the middle of… Continue reading New YouTube monetization rules 2025: what creators need to know

The post New YouTube monetization rules 2025: what creators need to know appeared first on TubeBuddy.

YouTube Shorts view count update: What creators need to know about the new metrics

Andy Davidson — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:56:09 +0000

YouTube recently rolled out a significant YouTube Shorts view count update that changes how views are calculated on Shorts. If you’re a creator or even just a viewer curious about the metrics behind your favourite short-form content, this change is worth paying attention to. YouTube’s new system counts every start, replay, and scroll past of a Short as a view. No minimum watch time required. This update could explain why many creators saw a sudden spike and a sustained increase in their Shorts view counts. Table of contents What changed with the YouTube Shorts view count update? Previously, YouTube only counted a view on a Short after a viewer watched for several seconds. This meant that if someone quickly scrolled past your Short without meaningful engagement, it wouldn’t count as a view. However, the platform has now shifted to a more inclusive counting method. Starting from March 31, 2025 every interaction that starts a Short, replays it, or even scrolls past it counts as a view, regardless of how long the video was watched. This means that the threshold for what counts as a view has effectively been removed, broadening the definition of a “view” to include fleeting impressions alongside… Continue reading YouTube Shorts view count update: What creators need to know about the new metrics

The post YouTube Shorts view count update: What creators need to know about the new metrics appeared first on TubeBuddy.

Are you taking advantage of YouTube’s creator-focused features?

Andy Davidson — Tue, 20 May 2025 14:23:00 +0000

2025 has seen a lot of exciting for YouTube creator features, and there’s more on the horizon. Earlier this year, YouTube CEO, Neal Mohan, outlined significant updates coming to YouTube throughout 2025. These updates are focused around how creators make money, grow their channels, and use AI tools (within the scope of YouTube AI rules and best practices, of course). Here we are, half way through 2025 and if you aren’t taking advantage of these new features or gearing to do so, you’re falling behind. But it’s not too late! In this post, we’ll recap what’s new in YouTube for 2025 and lay out why these updates are important for current and aspiring YouTubers, especially those looking to diversify their income streams beyond traditional ad revenue. More ways to earn on YouTube Many creators dream of turning their YouTube channels into full-time careers, but relying solely on ad revenue can be challenging. The good news is that YouTube has recognized this and is working to expand monetization options. In 2024, over fifty percent of channels earning five figures or more did so through sources other than ads and YouTube Premium. This year, YouTube is making strides to facilitate even more… Continue reading Are you taking advantage of YouTube’s creator-focused features?

The post Are you taking advantage of YouTube’s creator-focused features? appeared first on TubeBuddy.

How Does YouTube Recommend Videos (and Why it’s Not Recommending Yours)

Andy Davidson — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:18:13 +0000

Find out why YouTube recommends certain videos and not others, and why you get recommendations for channels you don’t subscribe to.

The post How Does YouTube Recommend Videos (and Why it’s Not Recommending Yours) appeared first on TubeBuddy.

YouTube Communities: The Future of YouTube Chat

TubeBuddy — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:00:00 +0000

YouTube recently launched YouTube Communities, a new, potentially game-changing addition aimed at changing the way creators and fans interact with each other on YouTube. YouTube Communities is a further step toward YouTube being a social platform in its own right. This new space allows for deeper connections, transforming the platform into a more social environment similar to Discord, Facebook, and Instagram. In this blog post, we’ll explore how YouTube Communities work, what they mean for creators, and how creators can engage their audiences more effectively (to avoid their own YouTube Community from going off the rails). Table of Contents What Are YouTube Communities? YouTube Communities are a new feature that allows subscribers to start conversations revolving around the content shared by their favorite creators. Unlike the previous community tab, which only allowed creators to post, this new feature enables viewers to post, react, and comment on content, making for a more interactive environment. The idea, which we heard more about while attending Made on YouTube 2024, is the result of collaboration with a group of creators who wanted better ways to connect with their audiences. In response, YouTube is evolving community interaction on the platform. It has the potential to… Continue reading YouTube Communities: The Future of YouTube Chat

The post YouTube Communities: The Future of YouTube Chat appeared first on TubeBuddy.

YouTube Translation Update 2024: The Game-Changing Auto Dubbing Feature

TubeBuddy — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 17:06:46 +0000

The YouTube translation update is going to change everything. OK, maybe not everything, but watch the video above and read the article that follows. Once you learn about YouTube’s new translation feature (coming soon to a YouTube Studio near you) and all that it can do, you’ll forgive the hyperbole. YouTube has undergone many changes over the years. YouTube auto dubbing stands to expand content creators’ reach beyond borders and language barriers. And that’s why we’re calling it the most significant update to hit YouTube in years. YouTube Aloud, as it’s currently known, will let creators connect with global audiences. For English language creators, that means access to the rest of the world. For the rest of the world, that means access to English-speaking audiences. In short, it’s a big deal and it really does stand to change YouTube forever. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what this update means for content creators and viewers alike, breaking down its features, benefits, and implications for the future of YouTube. Table of Contents The Vision Behind YouTube Translation and Auto Dubbing In September, YouTube invited creators and industry leaders to learn about exciting new projects. Among them, YouTube translation and auto… Continue reading YouTube Translation Update 2024: The Game-Changing Auto Dubbing Feature

The post YouTube Translation Update 2024: The Game-Changing Auto Dubbing Feature appeared first on TubeBuddy.

YouTube Hype: How This New Feature Can Help Small Channels Gain Exposure | TubeBuddy

TubeBuddy — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:21:00 +0000

For small YouTube channels, growth can feel like an uphill battle. With millions of videos being uploaded every day, standing out in such a saturated platform is incredibly challenging. Many creators struggle to break through the noise, even with high-quality content. Getting noticed often requires more than just creating great videos. it takes exposure, reach, and visibility. That’s where YouTube Hype feature, announced at Made on YouTube 2024, comes in. This feature is designed specifically to help emerging increase YouTube visibility. YouTube Hype allows viewers to actively boost videos they love, which in turn helps these videos reach a wider audience via the YouTube Hype leaderboard. Even if a channel has only a few hundred or thousand subscribers, YouTube Hype feature provides an opportunity for greater exposure. Let’s explore how this feature can make a significant difference in YouTube small channel growth. Table of Contents What is YouTube Hype? YouTube Hype is designed to give viewers a way to show their support for your content. For the first seven days after you upload a video, viewers can use a unique action called “hype.” Each viewer gets three hypes per week to distribute among their favorite emerging creators channels. Hyping a video… Continue reading YouTube Hype: How This New Feature Can Help Small Channels Gain Exposure | TubeBuddy

The post YouTube Hype: How This New Feature Can Help Small Channels Gain Exposure | TubeBuddy appeared first on TubeBuddy.

YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Update: What You Need to Know

TubeBuddy — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 15:46:09 +0000

The YouTube Shorts thumbnail update finally brings some options for YouTube Shorts thumbnails, but it’s not exactly what creators were hoping for. While the new features allow for some customization, the long-awaited ability to upload fully custom thumbnails is still missing. Table of Contents Introduction to YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Options The recent updates to YouTube Shorts thumbnails have sparked interest among creators. While the features may seem limited (because they are), they offer a fresh perspective on thumbnail customization. This section will delve into the new options available and how they can be utilized effectively. YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Update: New Features Explained YouTube has introduced a few enhancements to the way creators can manage their Shorts thumbnails. The most significant change is the ability to select a frame from the video and add elements like text and emojis. Editing Thumbnails After Upload One of the most welcomed features is the ability to edit thumbnails post-upload. This flexibility allows creators to refine their visuals based on performance analytics or personal preference. How to Edit a YouTube Short Thumbnail Give us Custom YouTube Shorts Thumbnails Already These are good updates to YouTube Shorts thumbnails they’re not the solution many creators have been… Continue reading YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Update: What You Need to Know

The post YouTube Shorts Thumbnail Update: What You Need to Know appeared first on TubeBuddy.

Avoid Copyright Music in YouTube Videos: “Erase Song” Has Your Back

TubeBuddy — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:09:00 +0000

As creators, we know that copyright music in YouTube videos can cause a whole host of problems. We don’t use copyright music as the sound bed for our videos unless we have clear permission. We know that “fair use” and copyright is a gray area at best. Because while a copyright claim is not necessarily a YouTube strike — a violation of the YouTube Partner Program rules — it can still lead to our videos being demonetized or worse. But what happens when you film a video for YouTube and forget to turn off the Spotify stream before you roll? What if you’re filming in a restaurant, or at the gym, or another public place where you can’t avoid capturing copyright music? And what if you already uploaded your video? What if you already got a copyright notice? If you’ve ever uploaded a video to YouTube only to be hit with a copyright claim on the background music, you know the pain all too well. Those copyright restrictions can be a real buzz kill, preventing your video from earning any ad revenue and in some cases, even blocking it from being viewed in certain regions. But fear not, YouTube has cooked… Continue reading Avoid Copyright Music in YouTube Videos: “Erase Song” Has Your Back

The post Avoid Copyright Music in YouTube Videos: “Erase Song” Has Your Back appeared first on TubeBuddy.

YouTube Giving: How to Set up or Donate to a Fundraiser

TubeBuddy — Wed, 01 May 2024 20:52:12 +0000

We know that so many of you are looking for ways to give to charity and make a change. Here's a way to make the most of fundraising through YouTube

The post YouTube Giving: How to Set up or Donate to a Fundraiser appeared first on TubeBuddy.