With the cloud of controversy that has been swirling around the new YouTube policy changes, digital marketing specialists, content creators, and avid users alike have begun to wonder if the popularity of YouTube will begin to decline.
Recent YouTube Policy Changes
From June 1st, all videos on YouTube will be monetized. This will have a huge impact, especially on small creators, because they will not receive any of the revenue. Only creators in the YouTube Partnership Program are able to receive revenue. (Membership requirements include having over 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months.) Growing a smaller channel on YouTube will become even more difficult. Not to mention this added challenge because small creators will no longer have the advantage of being ad-free.
That paired with several other policy changes including the decrease in pay for many creators due to a change that filters out “invalid” views. Because of this, and a variety of other tricks involving the YouTube algorithm, and the banning and erasing of videos, several YouTubers have been reporting large losses of income.
Will YouTube maintain its stronghold?
YouTube has long been a strong digital marketing tool for many businesses, but what is the future looking like? With more and more creators becoming dissatisfied with the platform, will move to other media outlets such as Vimeo, Dailymotion, or even TikTok… or perhaps they will turn to platforms like Patreon to receive funding directly from their fans. Or even surprisingly other more private subscription-based platforms like OnlyFans? With a variety of platforms available for content creators, popular giants aren’t safe forever.
Of course, only time will tell, but as discontent grows, it is a possibility that lingers in the back of many minds.
Stay up to date with digital marketing and social media trends by following our blogs!