YPP Updates, View Count Changes, and more | Creator Roundup

Summary of Video Content

• Amazon product tagging expanded (select creators): YouTube now lets eligible US creators tag Amazon products in videos, Shorts, and live streams through the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program. To use it, creators must be enrolled in (or connect to) an Amazon Influencer Program account or an Amazon Associates Program account, and must link their YouTube channel to their Amazon program account via Amazon Storefront settings. Availability is limited to a select group for now.

• Custom thumbnails for Shorts on Desktop: Creators can now upload custom thumbnails for Shorts using Desktop. Steps include: going to studio.youtube.com → Content → Shorts, selecting a Short, and uploading an image under the Thumbnail section (or choosing from suggested frames).

• Public view count methodology updated: YouTube is changing how it counts public views so that, across all video formats, a view is counted the moment the video begins to play (from the first frame).

  • This is intended to align view counting with how Shorts views were updated previously.
  • Earnings and YPP eligibility are not impacted: Shorts earnings still rely on Engaged Shorts views, and long-form earnings rely on Engaged Watch Hours.
  • Creators may see total view counts increase faster due to the new measurement timing.

• YouTube Partner Program (YPP) updates and terms:

  • Current YPP creators must review and accept new terms by January 31, 2027 to continue earning.
  • Prospective applicants face new eligibility requirements.
  • Details and acceptance steps are handled in YouTube Studio, with more information in the linked full video.

Presenters / Contributors

• Rene (host)