YouTube Feature - Channel Memberships

Introduction to Channel Memberships

On 21 June 2018, YouTube unveiled channel memberships as the new name for sponsorships. Channels in this programme are able to earn revenue when viewers purchase public badges, emoji and access to creator perks offered by the channel from time to time, via monthly recurring payments.

As part of the channel memberships name change, 'sponsors' are now 'members'. YouTube also changed the button that viewers press to become a paying member from 'Sponsor' to 'Join'

Channel Membership Requirements

To be considered for channel memberships on the main YouTube site and app, you have to meet these minimum requirements:

• Your channel must have more than 50,000 subscribers
• Your channel is in the YouTube Partner Programme
• You are over 18 years old
• You are located in one of the available locations
• You (and your MCN, if applicable) have agreed to and are complying with our terms and policies (including the applicable Commerce Product Addendum)
• You have zero live strikes

Channel Membership Guidelines

All channel membership benefits that you offer – including badges, emoji, perks, videos, live chats and other content – are subject to membership policies and guidelines.

While you can offer things of value that make your members feel special, the following members-only benefits are not allowed under our policies and terms:

• Downloads of content (including music) available on YouTube
• In-person 1:1 meetings
• Anything that one or some (but not all) of your members are chosen to receive at random including, but not limited to
• Competitions
• Lotteries
• Sweepstakes
• Perks that are marketed, directed or targeted to children, or that may be attractive to or inappropriate for children (including encouraging children to ask their parents to join your channel membership)

Channel Memberships - How does it look for fans/subscribers?

DramaAlert one of BBTV’s partners already has channel memberships enabled on his channel, below is a screenshot of how this looks in motion for fans/subscribers landing on the channel and potentially looking to join channel memberships.

Custom Naming - Channel Memberships

Some creators already refer to their sponsors, or members, by particular names that are unique to the channel. Soon, we will give creators with memberships on the main YouTube app and site a way to make these names official on YouTube.

Custom naming will be available later in 2018

Use of Feature (Channel Memberships)

•    Include use of product features

o   Four emojis for members to use in live chat

o   Five badges to appear near member’s user ID (to appear in comments and live chat)

o   Create a Welcome video for new members joining (if such feature is available)

o   4 Types of Members perk – custom perks are available to members at any time during the term

•  One perk being use of members-only community post
•  Another perk being member only-live chat
•  For clarity Emoji and badges are not considered custom perks

Additional Information here.