YouTube’s downfall: The partnership program
In YouTube Exposed, MrChiCity3 pointed out that YouTube hasn’t expanded their partnership program like they should. I noticed this over the past few months while running PauseStopRewind. There’s never a day that I come across a YouTuber with the subscribers, the content, and the personality to be a partner. However, YouTube chooses to fiddle their thumbs and wonder around like turkeys with no sense of direction.
Not even a year ago, YouTubers could apply to the partnership program, and within three days receive a reply. Today you’re lucky to get that same reply within two weeks. Then there are those who do get a reply, finally, only to learn they got rejected. Why? Well according to YouTube, Slyth66 lacks original content. Even though he busts his ass to write parodies, recreate instrumentals, acts, and films his videos all by himself.
Then there’s RandomShadowMan who has been rejected for past copyright infringement. However, there’s no strikes indicating this on his account. When you start to look at each YouTuber who has been rejected, and you find yourself confused as to why they have been rejected, it all adds up to one thing… BULLSHIT!
Now as if that wasn’t bad enough, when YouTube finally does accept someone they drag their ass on making it finale. This is exactly what happened with Jule (MistakeProductions), a young, talented YouTuber. Gstrompolos told him he was accepted into the program. Then a few days went by, then a week, two weeks, a month, over a month and program didn’t kick in for Jule.
It took over a month after his tweet on Oct. 1st to start up MistakeProductions' partnership.
When I asked him how he felt he said, “manipulated, used, screwed over”. It wasn’t until he made a tweet that I was interviewing him about his situation that Gstromopolos got the program to kick in for him. Yes, we’re happy that it finally happened, but this shouldn’t have been a problem in the first place. This leads me to wonder who else is going through this.
Youtube’s partnership program has honestly gone to crap. It has become too slow, too disorganize, and too much of a mystery. They’re ignoring talent that could bring them in revenue and they’re breaking dreams for success. Until YouTube fix all the problems that it has created there’s no chance that they’ll become profitable. Which would lead to their downfall.
My name is Zachary James, but most know me as OutbackZack. As a dedicated YouTuber both on and off the camera, I seek to bring news and give insight on the YouTube community. While not working on PauseStopRewind, I entertain many with my insane comedy style videos. Also, many know me as an artist who has worked with various YouTubers ranging from Andy Warski to Shane Dawson.
jamesandmiketv Says:
we (JamesAndMikeTV) applied for partnership 3 weeks ago and today we got a message back saying we got rejected. How does it take 3 weeks for them to say no?
Posted on November 20th, 2009 at 9:15 am
ChampChong Says:
I never knew that it got this out of hand. I followed Chris (RandomShadowMan) through his issues with it and we tried to work around it. He even went to the extremes of changing his country of residence (not actually moving, but on his profile). I applied around the same time many did in late September and got a reply back in 48 hours. Before I even opened the email I thought it was going to be a rejection letter because it came back so quickly. But I was wrong, they told me I was accepted into the Partnership Program and I literally ran around my house and shouted ‘WOOO’ like Ric Flair. I have no clue how I got in and others with better content than me (yes I admit I am not the best) (I am not an arrogant bastard). This Partnership thing on Youtube is very strange… if anyone would like to know more about my path through the program and extra tips that may have helped me, just check out my Youtube or Twitter. Simply PM me on Youtube or tweet me on Twitter. Both are; ChampChong
Posted on November 20th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Joey Says:
Very interesting article Zack. I’m having an issue with the Partnership Program as well. I applied almost 3 months ago, and still no response. I don’t understand how it could take so long to give me a reply. YouTube seriously needs to straighten things up, because they are forgetting about a lot of great YouTubers (i.e. Slyth66).
Posted on November 20th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Slyth66 Says:
Great article. And about the Jule (MistakeProductions) thing, I think it would have been better if they never responded to him on Twitter about it. If they are gonna publicly tell someone that they made Partnership and then go months without making it happen, they might as well just not tell anyone at all. I don’t trust that gstrompolos guy anyways. I don’t think it’s fair that he buddies up with people and helps get them in (Not just Jule, he deserves it, but there have been others). It should be fair for us all.
Posted on November 20th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Bobby Says:
My friend Chris (AKA UnFamousChris) applied for partnership in the middle of the summer. He got a reply and was accepted (He should have been), but they have not introduced any of his partner benefits.
Posted on November 20th, 2009 at 11:47 am
AJ Says:
Awesome article. I TOTALLY agree. its a bunch of crap when such good people with such great content get rejected for some bull crap they did even do. i know im not ready to be a partner now but if i do get the status to be a partner, i really hope they get there crap straight.
although i just need to point out, youtube is free. when it comes to accepting to PAY people for something they really enjoy, its kind of hard considering you tube’s in a hole with no profit
Posted on November 20th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
anon Says:
I dis agree with this totally. Youtubers should stop bitching and complainging about stupid banners and ad revenue. Youtube has the final say on who should be partnered. This is a stupid article.
Posted on November 23rd, 2009 at 7:51 am
anon Says:
also one more thing, it takes them so long to reply because idiots with no views and no subscribers keep applying.
Posted on November 23rd, 2009 at 7:54 am
admin Says:
When you have your content creators complaining, both partners and nonpartners, about issues that are never addressed then YouTube needs to both recognize and solve said issues. To simply say “YouTube has the final say” goes to show the lack of understanding for their current business model and the issues that YouTubers wish to have addressed.
If it takes them so long to reply because of “idiots” then YouTube needs to create a standard. With said standard, a YouTuber would only be able to apply if they have the minimum amount of videos, subscribers, and video views. This isn’t a difficult thing to accomplish, and doing so would eliminate several issues.
Posted on November 23rd, 2009 at 10:25 am
BillyGrozy Says:
The only way to become partner now is to wait forever or use their video promoting software. I bet that if you used that and spend like 50-100$ on their advertising your videos they’d be more inclined to let you in.
Posted on December 5th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Rene Says:
I tried to apply for partnership. I have 2 strikes on my account because of copyright infringement via Major League Baseball. You see MLB Media Advance Media and YouTube had this contest where you upload MLB media content for your videos. MLB provided the content and YouTube hosted the contest.
After the contest they were removed due to a violation. Sort of like your dad giving you $100 and the keys to his car for your Friday night date. Then while you’re driving along the freeway a cop pulls you over because dad reported the car stolen. And dad says, “You’re on your own son!”
Posted on December 24th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
jamesandmiketv Says:
Applied for partnership again 1 month ago and still haven’t got a responce.
Posted on February 26th, 2010 at 12:13 pm