INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightGetty ImagesYouTube is adding more ways for video-makers to make money, following criticism from bloggers and increased
competition from rival platforms.Many video-makers have complained that changes to YouTube's advertising policies have made it difficult for
content.Rival sites such as Twitch and Patreon already offer similar features.YouTube's updated advertising policies were introduced after
ads from popular brands appeared alongside extremist and sexual content.The changes stopped videos "unsuitable for all advertisers" from
earning ad revenue, and were dubbed the "adpocalypse" by video-makers who saw their income fall.The new features let video-makers:charge
fans $4.99 a month for access to exclusive badges, emoji and members-only videossell merchandise such as "phone cases with a creator's face
on" underneath their videos host live-streamed "premieres" in which they debut their latest work while chatting to fans in real-timeImage
copyrightYouTubeImage caption
Merchandise will be printed by a third party without creators having to do anything
Creators in the US with more than 10,000 followers will be able to sell merchandise and host premieres, while those with 100,000
followers will be able to offer paid memberships.The paid subscription mirrors the offering on games-streaming site Twitch
YouTube also faces increased competition from Facebook, which launched Instagram TV (IGTV) on Wednesday
Facebook has encouraged popular video-makers to upload vertical videos on its new platform, but it does not currently share advertising
revenue with creators."Platforms such as Twitch developed opportunities for creators to receive money directly from their viewers," said
Alex Brinnand, editor of the YouTube magazine TenEighty."YouTube is now playing catch up and offering alternative monetisation options but
the new threat of IGTV could change the game even further."Creators are largely in favour of the direct-to-creator monetisation options, as
it offers them higher revenue from people who are passionate about watching their content
This is something we've seen on crowd-funding platforms for a long time now, so it is really interesting to see the online video industry
adopt this revenue model."
