YouTube has paid content creators $ 30 billion over the past three years

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Google's YouTube video service has paid more than $ 30 billion to content creators over the past three years, and the number of affiliate program participants has exceeded 2 million people and companies creating original content for the platform.

YouTube began using a portion of its ad revenue to pay content creators in 2007. As a result, an extensive affiliate program was formed, which allows you to monetize videos posted by users in various ways. In 2018, the company significantly reduced the number of channels with activated monetization, tightening the rules; but now the number of participants in the affiliate program is growing again.

YouTube's main competitors such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram have tried to lure content creators away with lavish payouts, but so far none have succeeded. YouTube remains the most popular platform.

YouTube also pays out rewards to traditional media that post videos to the platform. But according to experts, a huge chunk of the payout goes to independent content creators who have chosen YouTube to monetize their videos.

The affiliate program, available in several countries, involves video monetization, therefore, it requires additional protection. In addition, its members must meet a number of requirements; have over 1000 subscribers and over 4000 hours of viewing in the last 12 months.