Has YouTube crossed a point of no return for smaller creators?

Ever since its inception in 2005, YouTube has had a dedicated fanbase that, after a few years of stagnation in the beginning, caused its popularity to skyrocket, with current statistics showing that over 500 hours of content is uploaded every minute.

However, a recent change to their Terms of Service have left the internet wondering if this is the beginning point of a decline in quality from YouTube’s Susan Wojcicki, who has been the CEO since 2014. YouTube’s Terms of Service now state: “YouTube has the right to monetize all content on the platform. YouTube will begin placing ads on videos from channels not in the YouTube Partner Program as part of this.” The YouTube Partner Program is the system by which creators can monetise the advertisements given on their content, and by YouTube altering the system for unmonetized adverts, and by proxy, a fundamental part of why YouTube is so popular (Explained below). In summary, YouTube is giving channels not signed up to the YouTube Partner Program ads that they will not profit off of. The question remains: How far is YouTube willing to go with this and much money do they seek to save?

YouTube I believe, as a platform is so successful due to simply the vastness of the site, from tiny channels with around 20 subscribers, to powerhouses like Pewdiepie (Who’s channel is at around 108 million subscribers according to the YouTube statistics website Social Blade) and not only is this vastness prevalent through subscriber count, but simply the jaw-dropping range that the YouTube algorithm provides viewers with, meaning that their truly is something for everyone. Lastly, and what I believe to be the most important factor of YouTube’s success is the ease of use, watching others do what they love provides viewers with the feeling that they too could do it if they wanted.

So on behalf of all YouTube viewers and Youtubers, (And if you’re listening Susan)please don’t go too far, and change the fundamentals of what make YouTube such a great site. Thanks.