YouTube’s Monetisation Shift: A Turning Point for Creators
YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform, is set to implement a new monetisation policy starting July 15, 2025. For millions of creators across the globe, this marks a significant turning point—not just in how revenue is earned, but in how content is valued, discovered, and supported.
Whether you’re a rising content creator, an established YouTuber, or just a viewer who supports digital creativity, this change touches all corners of the platform.
Why YouTube Is Updating Its Monetisation Model
In recent years, YouTube has faced pressure to balance the monetisation ecosystem—ensuring fair revenue for creators while maintaining advertiser trust and viewer satisfaction.
With AI-generated content rising, short-form videos exploding, and advertiser expectations shifting, YouTube says this new policy aims to:
Encourage original and high-quality content
Give more creators access to monetisation tools
Improve ad relevance and engagement
Strengthen brand safety and transparency
Key Highlights of the New YouTube Monetisation Policy (Effective July 15, 2025)
1. Lowered Eligibility Thresholds
YouTube will now allow creators to apply for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) with just:
500 subscribers (down from 1,000)
3,000 watch hours OR 3 million Shorts views in the past 12 months
This is a huge win for small creators, allowing many to start monetising much earlier in their journey.
2. AI and Reused Content Under Stricter Review
With AI-generated videos flooding the platform, YouTube will introduce new content review guidelines. Creators using AI tools or re-uploading content from others will be required to:
Provide disclosure tags
Show proof of transformative use
Pass human review in some cases
This is aimed at preserving content authenticity and creator originality.
3. Revenue Sharing on Shorts Enhanced
YouTube Shorts has become a TikTok rival, and now YouTube is doubling down:
Ad revenue from Shorts will now be shared more equitably, using a new payout formula that takes engagement and music licensing into account.
This opens the door for short-form creators to earn consistently, even without long videos.
How Small Creators Are Reacting: Hope with Hesitation
For many small creators, especially those from non-English-speaking countries or rural areas, this policy update is nothing short of empowering.
Riya Sharma, a budding creator from Jaipur who posts art tutorials, said,
“This change feels like YouTube is finally seeing us. I’ve been stuck at 700 subscribers for a year. Now, at least I can start monetising something.”
However, some worry about ad saturation and how revenue will be divided among more creators, potentially diluting individual earnings.
Challenges for Big Creators: More Competition, Higher Expectations
Larger creators with millions of followers are watching the shift closely. With more channels entering monetisation, competition for ad dollars increases. Also, stricter content guidelines mean big creators can’t rely on old formats or reuploads.
Yet many see it as an opportunity to evolve, create fresh content, and connect more deeply with loyal fans.
What Advertisers and Viewers Should Expect
For advertisers, this means:
Better targeting opportunities
Higher quality content alignment
Transparent reporting on where their ads appear
For viewers, expect more diverse ads, more sponsored content, and possibly a rise in creator transparency, thanks to mandatory monetisation disclosures and tags.
