SundaySEO October 14 2012: Why You Should Consider Becoming A YouTube Partner

In case you were unaware, YouTube has a program that has been running for a while – the YouTube Partner Program – that offers more than the standard YT Channel dealio.

Here are some examples of YouTube Partner Video Channels to give you an idea of what I’m talking about:

Yes, that is a YouTube Video Channel as you can see by the URL: http://www.youtube.com/nba

 

Here’s another one:

This is for Motor Trend magazine: http://www.youtube.com/MotorTrend

and this YT Partner Channel is for the BBC:

It’s pretty obvious that these types of YT Partner Channels can be heavily optimised for branding and publisher content BUT they aren’t only for the big boys – getting into the YT Partner program is quite do-able for smaller players too.

And, it can be a nice extra revenue stream as Partners are paid up to $20 per 1,000 views of their featured videos.

Now, obviously this requires some work, a commitment to FULLY integrate YouTube into your business and invest in some BRANDING for your online operations – something that all of the smart operators are moving towards now and also something reflected in SEO too.

So let’s recap on why you WOULD try to get into the YouTube Partner program:

  • Partner Channels do much better in YouTube in search results i.e. it’s great from an SEO inside YT perspective – obviously resulting in more views
  • Money: YT pays up to $20 per 1,000 views to Partners (that can vary and is subject to change)
  • Greater Control: if you aren’t a Partner, YT can re-use your video (on YouTube) any way they want apparently
  • Design/layout: as you saw from the above examples, YT Partners get much greater customisation flexibility and resulting professionalisation of their Channel, branding-wise

And the reasons why you WOULDN’T:

  • YouTube will only consider Channels for the Partner Program that have 100,000+ views and subscribers in the thousands as a minimum (hello Fiverr! – kidding, or am I?) – plus you could consider approaching and buying a mega-popular amateur Channel that is presently unmonetised, tidy it up a little and apply
  • Videos must be decent quality, original and offer genuinely useful content – your Channel will be human-reviewed in order to get into the Partner Program
  • The Partner Program is not available in all countries – check if yours is on the list of available territories
  • Partners are held to more YT rules than ordinary ‘amateur’ channels e.g. “Partners may not direct user attention to the ads via arrows or other graphical gimmicks”, “Partners may not place misleading images alongside individual ads” etc – the rules for Partners are listed here: http://support.google.com/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&topic=12635&answer=87047
  • Your YT Partner account is linked to your AdSense account and if one of your sites outside YT triggers an AdSense account ban, you will ALSO lose your YT Partner Channel!

This is where you can find out more and apply – assuming your channel meets the above criteria for acceptance (and there is a 2 month wait for re-application if you are rejected):

http://support.google.com/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2548877

One of my main 2013 goals will be to prepare a couple of new business projects for YT’s Partner program and I’ll update you on the process then.

Leave further questions, comments or your experiences with the YT Partner Program below and I will personally respond.

Have a great Sunday.

Terry Kyle SEO
Traffic Planet
SundaySEO