YouTube's Monetization Policies and the Creator Economy (2006-2019)

1. YouTube founded as a video-sharing startup

   Feb 14, 2005Labels: YouTube, Founders

   • Wikipedia
   • History Wiki

2. First video uploaded, signaling a user-led platform

   Apr 23, 2005Labels: Jawed Karim, First Video

   • Me at zoo
   • History Wiki

3. Google announces acquisition of YouTube

   Oct 9, 2006Labels: Google, Acquisition

   • TechCrunch
   • Wikipedia

4. YouTube launches revenue-sharing Partner Program pilot

   May 4, 2007Labels: YouTube Partner, Monetization

   • TechCrunch
   • YTBlog

5. YouTube begins trials of Content ID copyright system

   Jun 1, 2007Labels: Content ID, Copyright

   • Content ID

6. In-video overlay ads launch, expanding monetization formats

   Aug 22, 2007Labels: InVideo Ads, Ad Format

   • Computerworld
   • WIRED

7. Partner Program expands applications to US and Canada

   Dec 10, 2007Labels: Partner Program, United States

   • YTBlog

8. Partner Program expands to more countries

   Sep 30, 2010Labels: Partner Program, International

   • YTBlog

9. TrueView skippable ads officially launch

   Dec 1, 2010Labels: TrueView, Ad Format

   • TechCrunch

10. Google Preferred debuts as premium brand-safe ad package

    Apr 30, 2014Labels: Google Preferred, Brand Safety

    • Adweek
    • Select Wiki

11. YouTube Red launches, adding subscription-based creator revenue

    Oct 28, 2015Labels: YouTube Red, Subscription

    • YTBlog
    • TechCrunch

12. More transparency added to advertiser-friendly monetization decisions

    Sep 1, 2016Labels: Advertiser-Friendly, Transparency

    • Forbes
    • PYMNTS

13. Super Chat announced to monetize live-stream fan payments

    Jan 12, 2017Labels: Super Chat, Live Monetization

    • Creator Blog
    • Axios

14. Advertiser boycott and brand-safety crisis reshapes monetization

    Mar 31, 2017Labels: Advertiser Boycott, Brand Safety

    • CNBC
    • WIRED

15. YouTube sets 10,000-lifetime-view threshold for monetization

    Apr 1, 2017Labels: Monetization Threshold, Eligibility

    • YouTube
    • Teen Vogue

16. YouTube updates advertiser policies on hateful and incendiary content

    Jun 5, 2017Labels: Advertiser Policy, Hate Content

    • Axios

17. YouTube raises Partner Program eligibility to 1,000 subs and 4,000 hours

    Jan 16, 2018Labels: Partner Program, Eligibility

    • YouTube Blog
    • Creator Blog

18. Channel Memberships launched to diversify creator revenue beyond ads

    Jun 21, 2018Labels: Channel Memberships, Creator Revenue

    • TheWrap
    • Adv TV

19. Merchandise shelf launches for eligible US creators

    Jul 10, 2018Labels: Merchandise Shelf, Commerce

    • MusicNetwork
    • Adv TV

20. YouTube ends 2010s with stricter gates and diversified creator monetization

    Jan 1, 2019Labels: Creator Economy, Policy Shift

    • YouTube Blog
    • YTBlog