YouTube Unveils Major Updates: New Monetization Options, AI Tools, and More for Creators
At this week’s Made on YouTube event, the platform announced a host of new updates, features, and tools aimed at content creators. Highlights include advancements to YouTube Live, monetization enhancements, and collaborative capabilities.
In terms of studio updates, creators can now utilize “likeness” detection technology for facial recognition and video removal purposes. Additionally, an AI-powered Ask Studio is available to answer account-related queries and facilitate collaboration with up to five other individuals on a single video.
YouTube Live also received some attention, with enhancements such as the ability to play minigames during livestreams, simultaneous broadcasting in both horizontal and vertical formats, AI-powered highlights, and a new ad format called “side-by-side.” This ad format runs adjacent to the main content rather than interrupting the stream.
The platform is also integrating Google’s text-to-video generative AI model, Veo 3, into Shorts, as well as introducing a new remixing tool, an “Edit with AI” feature, and more. With these tools, creators can apply motion from videos to images, add various styles, and insert objects using simple text prompts.
In the realm of music, YouTube Music is introducing updates designed to strengthen the connection between artists and their fans, such as countdown timers for new releases and “thank you” video options. The platform is also testing a U.S.-based pilot program that allows listeners access to exclusive merchandise drops from artists.
For podcast creators in the U.S., YouTube is simplifying clip creation with AI suggestions, while next year will see the introduction of a feature enabling the conversion of audio podcasts into video podcasts.
The platform is also expanding monetization opportunities for creators through brand deals and the YouTube Shopping program, which allows earnings from featuring and tagging products in content. Long-form videos can now have brand sponsorships swapped out, and short-form creators can add links to brand sites for specific collaborations.
Lastly, auto timestamps for product tags, auto tagging for eligible items mentioned in videos, and a new brand link feature for Shorts are being introduced, with an AI system helping identify the optimal product mention moments and automatically displaying product tags accordingly.
