Essential 8 Tools: Linux-Based Edits Software

Best 8 YouTube Editing Software for Linux

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It is true that the number of software available for Mac and Windows by far outnumber those available for Linux. Though Linux is still growing, it is always a difficult task to find specific software such as those for YouTube video editing. For Linux users, sometimes it becomes necessary to switch back to Windows whenever you need to edit your videos. Presented here are the best 8 YouTube editing software for Linux so that you avoid the back and forth movement whenever you want to work on your videos for YouTube-:

---

If you looking for a video editor simple yet powerful, here I recommend an easy-to-use video editing software - Wondershare Filmora (for Win and Mac) which not only allows you cut, crop, rotate, and split your videos in minutes, but also simplify the advanced video editing like green screen effect and PIP. You can also find over 300 video effects like Wedding, Gaming, Education, Beauty, Fashion, etc.

---

1. Open Shot

Open Shot is a feature rich, multiplatform video editor and one of the best you will ever find for Linux, Mac and Windows. The program is written in Python and it has support for many different video and audio formats and also, it has a drag and drop feature to make the editing process simpler and easier. The following are some of the features you can expect to find in this YouTube video editor-:

• Video cutting, trimming, scaling and resizing
• 3D animated titles
• Video effects and speed changes
• Digital zooming and video transitions
• Easy Gnome integration and also has a drag and drop feature.

2. Pitivi

Pitivi is great open source YouTube video editing software for Linux. The software uses the Gstreamer framework for the importation and exportation as well as the rendition of media. With Pitive, you can accomplish simple video editing tasks such as trimming, splitting, cutting, snapping and mixing. It also allows you to link audio and video clips into a single clip. One other thing admirable about this software is that it is available in multiple languages and it has a comprehensive documentation, easy to read, understand and follow.

3. Lightworks

This is a professional video editing tool designed for Linux and it can be used by everyone, thanks to its rich features and intuitive interface. Both its free and paid versions have all the features needed for a decent video editing experience. However, it is not only restricted to Linux, but it can also be used on Windows and Mac as well. Some of the highlights for the software include the following-:

• Trimming and a wide variety of effects
• Frame accurate capture tool
• Drag and drop feature
• Wide container support and Vimeo export
• Export and import functionalities
• Advanced multicam editing in realtime

4. Blender

Blender is advanced and professional video editing software packed with exciting features, which makes it admirable for professional YouTube video editing. Some of the features it has include-: 3D modeling, N-Gon support, animation toolset, automatic skinning and sculpting, physically accurate shaders, open shading language to help users custom shaders, grid and bridge fill among others.

5. KDEnlive

This is another open source video editing software highly recommended for those interested in YouTube video editing software for Linux. Its functioning relies on a few other projects such as MLT and FFmpeg video frameworks. The design is suited to cover the basic needs of video editing to semi professional needs. Some of the features of this software include-:

• Creating custom profiles
• Configurable keyboard shortcuts
• Mixing video, audio and image files
• Ability to export to standard formats
• Multitrack edition which comes together with a timeframe
• Supports a wide range of camcorders

6. Cinelerra

Ever since its release in 2002, Cinelerra has been downloaded millions of times making it one of the best YouTube video editing software for Linux. It is ideal for both beginners and professionals and it comes loaded with a variety of features needed for a decent video editing experience. They features include but are not limited to the following-:

• Professionally designed UI
• Deck Control
• Different special effects
• Audio editing with unlimited number of layers
• Dual link
• Built-in frame renderer

7. Shotcut

Shotcut is another YouTube video editing software for Linux and it is an interesting one because its UI looks more like a media player and not an editor. The software makes editing video very simple with the set of awesome features it has. For basic uses, it will work just fine, but if you need more powerful options, especially for advanced or professional video recording, then it may not be the best. However, with the features it has, it qualifies as a decent YouTube video editor for Linux.

8. LiVES

LiVES is a powerful yet simple to use YouTube video editing software for Linux. But it is not only designed to be used on Linux, it is expandable and can be used across other platforms via the RFX plugins. The main features of this platform include-:

• Multiple and dynamic loading of effects
• Supports variable and fixed frame rates
• A smooth playback done on variable rates
• Frame accurate cutting
• Loads and edits almost every video format through the mplayer

Installing the software is relatively easy and it will suffice for most of your needs for a YouTube video editor.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It is true that the number of software available for Mac and Windows by far outnumber those available for Linux. Though Linux is still growing, it is always a difficult task to find specific software such as those for YouTube video editing. For Linux users, sometimes it becomes necessary to switch back to Windows whenever you need to edit your videos. Presented here are the best 8 YouTube editing software for Linux so that you avoid the back and forth movement whenever you want to work on your videos for YouTube-:

---

If you looking for a video editor simple yet powerful, here I recommend an easy-to-use video editing software - Wondershare Filmora (for Win and Mac) which not only allows you cut, crop, rotate, and split your videos in minutes, but also simplify the advanced video editing like green screen effect and PIP. You can also find over 300 video effects like Wedding, Gaming, Education, Beauty, Fashion, etc.

---

1. Open Shot

Open Shot is a feature rich, multiplatform video editor and one of the best you will ever find for Linux, Mac and Windows. The program is written in Python and it has support for many different video and audio formats and also, it has a drag and drop feature to make the editing process simpler and easier. The following are some of the features you can expect to find in this YouTube video editor-:

• Video cutting, trimming, scaling and resizing
• 3D animated titles
• Video effects and speed changes
• Digital zooming and video transitions
• Easy Gnome integration and also has a drag and drop feature.

2. Pitivi

Pitivi is great open source YouTube video editing software for Linux. The software uses the Gstreamer framework for the importation and exportation as well as the rendition of media. With Pitive, you can accomplish simple video editing tasks such as trimming, splitting, cutting, snapping and mixing. It also allows you to link audio and video clips into a single clip. One other thing admirable about this software is that it is available in multiple languages and it has a comprehensive documentation, easy to read, understand and follow.

3. Lightworks

This is a professional video editing tool designed for Linux and it can be used by everyone, thanks to its rich features and intuitive interface. Both its free and paid versions have all the features needed for a decent video editing experience. However, it is not only restricted to Linux, but it can also be used on Windows and Mac as well. Some of the highlights for the software include the following-:

• Trimming and a wide variety of effects
• Frame accurate capture tool
• Drag and drop feature
• Wide container support and Vimeo export
• Export and import functionalities
• Advanced multicam editing in realtime

4. Blender

Blender is advanced and professional video editing software packed with exciting features, which makes it admirable for professional YouTube video editing. Some of the features it has include-: 3D modeling, N-Gon support, animation toolset, automatic skinning and sculpting, physically accurate shaders, open shading language to help users custom shaders, grid and bridge fill among others.

5. KDEnlive

This is another open source video editing software highly recommended for those interested in YouTube video editing software for Linux. Its functioning relies on a few other projects such as MLT and FFmpeg video frameworks. The design is suited to cover the basic needs of video editing to semi professional needs. Some of the features of this software include-:

• Creating custom profiles
• Configurable keyboard shortcuts
• Mixing video, audio and image files
• Ability to export to standard formats
• Multitrack edition which comes together with a timeframe
• Supports a wide range of camcorders

6. Cinelerra

Ever since its release in 2002, Cinelerra has been downloaded millions of times making it one of the best YouTube video editing software for Linux. It is ideal for both beginners and professionals and it comes loaded with a variety of features needed for a decent video editing experience. They features include but are not limited to the following-:

• Professionally designed UI
• Deck Control
• Different special effects
• Audio editing with unlimited number of layers
• Dual link
• Built-in frame renderer

7. Shotcut

Shotcut is another YouTube video editing software for Linux and it is an interesting one because its UI looks more like a media player and not an editor. The software makes editing video very simple with the set of awesome features it has. For basic uses, it will work just fine, but if you need more powerful options, especially for advanced or professional video recording, then it may not be the best. However, with the features it has, it qualifies as a decent YouTube video editor for Linux.

8. LiVES

LiVES is a powerful yet simple to use YouTube video editing software for Linux. But it is not only designed to be used on Linux, it is expandable and can be used across other platforms via the RFX plugins. The main features of this platform include-:

• Multiple and dynamic loading of effects
• Supports variable and fixed frame rates
• A smooth playback done on variable rates
• Frame accurate cutting
• Loads and edits almost every video format through the mplayer

Installing the software is relatively easy and it will suffice for most of your needs for a YouTube video editor.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It is true that the number of software available for Mac and Windows by far outnumber those available for Linux. Though Linux is still growing, it is always a difficult task to find specific software such as those for YouTube video editing. For Linux users, sometimes it becomes necessary to switch back to Windows whenever you need to edit your videos. Presented here are the best 8 YouTube editing software for Linux so that you avoid the back and forth movement whenever you want to work on your videos for YouTube-:

---

If you looking for a video editor simple yet powerful, here I recommend an easy-to-use video editing software - Wondershare Filmora (for Win and Mac) which not only allows you cut, crop, rotate, and split your videos in minutes, but also simplify the advanced video editing like green screen effect and PIP. You can also find over 300 video effects like Wedding, Gaming, Education, Beauty, Fashion, etc.

---

1. Open Shot

Open Shot is a feature rich, multiplatform video editor and one of the best you will ever find for Linux, Mac and Windows. The program is written in Python and it has support for many different video and audio formats and also, it has a drag and drop feature to make the editing process simpler and easier. The following are some of the features you can expect to find in this YouTube video editor-:

• Video cutting, trimming, scaling and resizing
• 3D animated titles
• Video effects and speed changes
• Digital zooming and video transitions
• Easy Gnome integration and also has a drag and drop feature.

2. Pitivi

Pitivi is great open source YouTube video editing software for Linux. The software uses the Gstreamer framework for the importation and exportation as well as the rendition of media. With Pitive, you can accomplish simple video editing tasks such as trimming, splitting, cutting, snapping and mixing. It also allows you to link audio and video clips into a single clip. One other thing admirable about this software is that it is available in multiple languages and it has a comprehensive documentation, easy to read, understand and follow.

3. Lightworks

This is a professional video editing tool designed for Linux and it can be used by everyone, thanks to its rich features and intuitive interface. Both its free and paid versions have all the features needed for a decent video editing experience. However, it is not only restricted to Linux, but it can also be used on Windows and Mac as well. Some of the highlights for the software include the following-:

• Trimming and a wide variety of effects
• Frame accurate capture tool
• Drag and drop feature
• Wide container support and Vimeo export
• Export and import functionalities
• Advanced multicam editing in realtime

4. Blender

Blender is advanced and professional video editing software packed with exciting features, which makes it admirable for professional YouTube video editing. Some of the features it has include-: 3D modeling, N-Gon support, animation toolset, automatic skinning and sculpting, physically accurate shaders, open shading language to help users custom shaders, grid and bridge fill among others.

5. KDEnlive

This is another open source video editing software highly recommended for those interested in YouTube video editing software for Linux. Its functioning relies on a few other projects such as MLT and FFmpeg video frameworks. The design is suited to cover the basic needs of video editing to semi professional needs. Some of the features of this software include-:

• Creating custom profiles
• Configurable keyboard shortcuts
• Mixing video, audio and image files
• Ability to export to standard formats
• Multitrack edition which comes together with a timeframe
• Supports a wide range of camcorders

6. Cinelerra

Ever since its release in 2002, Cinelerra has been downloaded millions of times making it one of the best YouTube video editing software for Linux. It is ideal for both beginners and professionals and it comes loaded with a variety of features needed for a decent video editing experience. They features include but are not limited to the following-:

• Professionally designed UI
• Deck Control
• Different special effects
• Audio editing with unlimited number of layers
• Dual link
• Built-in frame renderer

7. Shotcut

Shotcut is another YouTube video editing software for Linux and it is an interesting one because its UI looks more like a media player and not an editor. The software makes editing video very simple with the set of awesome features it has. For basic uses, it will work just fine, but if you need more powerful options, especially for advanced or professional video recording, then it may not be the best. However, with the features it has, it qualifies as a decent YouTube video editor for Linux.

8. LiVES

LiVES is a powerful yet simple to use YouTube video editing software for Linux. But it is not only designed to be used on Linux, it is expandable and can be used across other platforms via the RFX plugins. The main features of this platform include-:

• Multiple and dynamic loading of effects
• Supports variable and fixed frame rates
• A smooth playback done on variable rates
• Frame accurate cutting
• Loads and edits almost every video format through the mplayer

Installing the software is relatively easy and it will suffice for most of your needs for a YouTube video editor.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It is true that the number of software available for Mac and Windows by far outnumber those available for Linux. Though Linux is still growing, it is always a difficult task to find specific software such as those for YouTube video editing. For Linux users, sometimes it becomes necessary to switch back to Windows whenever you need to edit your videos. Presented here are the best 8 YouTube editing software for Linux so that you avoid the back and forth movement whenever you want to work on your videos for YouTube-:

---

If you looking for a video editor simple yet powerful, here I recommend an easy-to-use video editing software - Wondershare Filmora (for Win and Mac) which not only allows you cut, crop, rotate, and split your videos in minutes, but also simplify the advanced video editing like green screen effect and PIP. You can also find over 300 video effects like Wedding, Gaming, Education, Beauty, Fashion, etc.

---

1. Open Shot

Open Shot is a feature rich, multiplatform video editor and one of the best you will ever find for Linux, Mac and Windows. The program is written in Python and it has support for many different video and audio formats and also, it has a drag and drop feature to make the editing process simpler and easier. The following are some of the features you can expect to find in this YouTube video editor-:

• Video cutting, trimming, scaling and resizing
• 3D animated titles
• Video effects and speed changes
• Digital zooming and video transitions
• Easy Gnome integration and also has a drag and drop feature.

2. Pitivi

Pitivi is great open source YouTube video editing software for Linux. The software uses the Gstreamer framework for the importation and exportation as well as the rendition of media. With Pitive, you can accomplish simple video editing tasks such as trimming, splitting, cutting, snapping and mixing. It also allows you to link audio and video clips into a single clip. One other thing admirable about this software is that it is available in multiple languages and it has a comprehensive documentation, easy to read, understand and follow.

3. Lightworks

This is a professional video editing tool designed for Linux and it can be used by everyone, thanks to its rich features and intuitive interface. Both its free and paid versions have all the features needed for a decent video editing experience. However, it is not only restricted to Linux, but it can also be used on Windows and Mac as well. Some of the highlights for the software include the following-:

• Trimming and a wide variety of effects
• Frame accurate capture tool
• Drag and drop feature
• Wide container support and Vimeo export
• Export and import functionalities
• Advanced multicam editing in realtime

4. Blender

Blender is advanced and professional video editing software packed with exciting features, which makes it admirable for professional YouTube video editing. Some of the features it has include-: 3D modeling, N-Gon support, animation toolset, automatic skinning and sculpting, physically accurate shaders, open shading language to help users custom shaders, grid and bridge fill among others.

5. KDEnlive

This is another open source video editing software highly recommended for those interested in YouTube video editing software for Linux. Its functioning relies on a few other projects such as MLT and FFmpeg video frameworks. The design is suited to cover the basic needs of video editing to semi professional needs. Some of the features of this software include-:

• Creating custom profiles
• Configurable keyboard shortcuts
• Mixing video, audio and image files
• Ability to export to standard formats
• Multitrack edition which comes together with a timeframe
• Supports a wide range of camcorders

6. Cinelerra

Ever since its release in 2002, Cinelerra has been downloaded millions of times making it one of the best YouTube video editing software for Linux. It is ideal for both beginners and professionals and it comes loaded with a variety of features needed for a decent video editing experience. They features include but are not limited to the following-:

• Professionally designed UI
• Deck Control
• Different special effects
• Audio editing with unlimited number of layers
• Dual link
• Built-in frame renderer

7. Shotcut

Shotcut is another YouTube video editing software for Linux and it is an interesting one because its UI looks more like a media player and not an editor. The software makes editing video very simple with the set of awesome features it has. For basic uses, it will work just fine, but if you need more powerful options, especially for advanced or professional video recording, then it may not be the best. However, with the features it has, it qualifies as a decent YouTube video editor for Linux.

8. LiVES

LiVES is a powerful yet simple to use YouTube video editing software for Linux. But it is not only designed to be used on Linux, it is expandable and can be used across other platforms via the RFX plugins. The main features of this platform include-:

• Multiple and dynamic loading of effects
• Supports variable and fixed frame rates
• A smooth playback done on variable rates
• Frame accurate cutting
• Loads and edits almost every video format through the mplayer

Installing the software is relatively easy and it will suffice for most of your needs for a YouTube video editor.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

The Ugly Side of Digital Video Profits

YouTube Monetization: The New Rules Everyone Hates

Richard Bennett

Nov 01, 2022• Proven solutions

0

YouTube changed its monetization policy and, once again, there are new monetization rules. Last year, in the wake of the ‘adpocalypse’ (click here for coverage on that ), they imposed a new milestone of 10,000-lifetime views which a channel would have to meet before applying for monetization. As of February 20, 2018, YouTube will be introducing 2 more obstacles to monetizing your videos.

1. The New Monetization Rules
2. Why YouTube Changed The Monetization Rules
3. How Do The Changes Affect Small YouTube Channels
4. Join the Conversation
5. Tips for Increasing YouTube Watch Time
6. Helpful Blog Posts
7. Don’t Give Up!

The New Monetization Rules

In order to qualify for YouTube monetization, you must meet these milestones.

1. You will need to have 1,000 subscribers.
2. You will need to have accumulated 4,000 hours of watch time over the last 12 months.

You can read the full announcement here.

Trying to get monetization on YouTube can feel like this.

Why YouTube Changed the Monetization Rules

YouTube’s reasoning for these changes is essentially the same as they gave for the 10,000 views milestone: having higher standards will help them prevent inappropriate or stolen content from being monetized. They also point out that the majority of channels affected will not have been making any significant money anyways (less than $2.50 per month, in most cases).

How Do the Changes Affect Small YouTube Channels

However, even if the immediate financial impact won’t be that financially significant, it is untrue to say these new rules will not affect YouTubers with smaller channels. Having to plan to achieve and maintain those 4,000 hours of watch time and 1,000 subs could have a major impact on how creators plan their content. Will you feel pressured to abandon content that you and your existing viewers love in favor of making videos that will get you to those milestones faster?

That will be a question facing a lot of smaller YouTubers, especially those who have already reached 1,000 subscribers and are now in a situation where they have to maintain those 4,000 hours of watch time. You won’t be cut off from monetization automatically if you fall from 4,000 hours to 3,500 hours one month (after already having monetized your channel), but YouTube may review your channel and remove monetization if time passes and you still haven’t gotten back up to 4,000 hours.

These new rules could also put niche channels at a disadvantage. Niche channels may have devoted followers who keep their watch time up, but getting to 1,000 subscribers could be harder for them purely because their potential audience is already smaller.

Join The Conversation

There have been b reactions to this news in our forums here on filmora.io, the majority of them negative. Although the perspective that these kinds of measures are necessary as YouTube becomes more and more crowded has also been represented, the majority of people who have weighed in find these changes unreasonable. If you haven’t yet, make sure to head over to the forums and join the conversation .

It probably doesn’t help that none of the regulations being put in place to stop smaller channels who might be ‘bad actors’ (YouTube uses the term several times in their announcement) will affect gigantic channels whose creators may already be behaving in wildly inappropriate (and not at all ad friendly) ways.

Cough. Logan Paul. Cough.

Tips for Increasing YouTube Watch Time

1. Sorting your videos into playlists encourages viewers to spend a lot more time on your channel.
2. Link your videos together using cards and interactive end screens/outros.
3. Basic video editing. Simple things like adding transition effects and cutting out long pauses will help keep viewers watching your videos for longer.

Helpful Blog Posts

How to Get People to Subscribe by Asking the Right Way

Understanding YouTube Analytics – Take Charge of Your Channel! (this one will teach you how to see which of your videos are doing best for watch time!)

How to Edit a YouTube Video and Get More Subscribers

Don’t Give Up

I risk sounding cheesy here, but I hope nobody gives up on their dreams as creators over something like this. Wanting to be paid for doing what you love is only natural, and you can still get there (YouTube monetization isn’t even the only way). There may even be better opportunities to generate revenue when you do. In the long run, this could be a good thing for YouTube. Nobody can really know yet.

How do you get subscribers, or increase your watch time? If you have any tips, share them with everyone! Also, make sure to let us know if there are any blog topics that might help you out with YouTube’s new monetization rules.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Nov 01, 2022• Proven solutions

0

YouTube changed its monetization policy and, once again, there are new monetization rules. Last year, in the wake of the ‘adpocalypse’ (click here for coverage on that ), they imposed a new milestone of 10,000-lifetime views which a channel would have to meet before applying for monetization. As of February 20, 2018, YouTube will be introducing 2 more obstacles to monetizing your videos.

1. The New Monetization Rules
2. Why YouTube Changed The Monetization Rules
3. How Do The Changes Affect Small YouTube Channels
4. Join the Conversation
5. Tips for Increasing YouTube Watch Time
6. Helpful Blog Posts
7. Don’t Give Up!

The New Monetization Rules

In order to qualify for YouTube monetization, you must meet these milestones.

1. You will need to have 1,000 subscribers.
2. You will need to have accumulated 4,000 hours of watch time over the last 12 months.

You can read the full announcement here.

Trying to get monetization on YouTube can feel like this.

Why YouTube Changed the Monetization Rules

YouTube’s reasoning for these changes is essentially the same as they gave for the 10,000 views milestone: having higher standards will help them prevent inappropriate or stolen content from being monetized. They also point out that the majority of channels affected will not have been making any significant money anyways (less than $2.50 per month, in most cases).

How Do the Changes Affect Small YouTube Channels

However, even if the immediate financial impact won’t be that financially significant, it is untrue to say these new rules will not affect YouTubers with smaller channels. Having to plan to achieve and maintain those 4,000 hours of watch time and 1,000 subs could have a major impact on how creators plan their content. Will you feel pressured to abandon content that you and your existing viewers love in favor of making videos that will get you to those milestones faster?

That will be a question facing a lot of smaller YouTubers, especially those who have already reached 1,000 subscribers and are now in a situation where they have to maintain those 4,000 hours of watch time. You won’t be cut off from monetization automatically if you fall from 4,000 hours to 3,500 hours one month (after already having monetized your channel), but YouTube may review your channel and remove monetization if time passes and you still haven’t gotten back up to 4,000 hours.

These new rules could also put niche channels at a disadvantage. Niche channels may have devoted followers who keep their watch time up, but getting to 1,000 subscribers could be harder for them purely because their potential audience is already smaller.

Join The Conversation

There have been b reactions to this news in our forums here on filmora.io, the majority of them negative. Although the perspective that these kinds of measures are necessary as YouTube becomes more and more crowded has also been represented, the majority of people who have weighed in find these changes unreasonable. If you haven’t yet, make sure to head over to the forums and join the conversation .

It probably doesn’t help that none of the regulations being put in place to stop smaller channels who might be ‘bad actors’ (YouTube uses the term several times in their announcement) will affect gigantic channels whose creators may already be behaving in wildly inappropriate (and not at all ad friendly) ways.

Cough. Logan Paul. Cough.

Tips for Increasing YouTube Watch Time

1. Sorting your videos into playlists encourages viewers to spend a lot more time on your channel.
2. Link your videos together using cards and interactive end screens/outros.
3. Basic video editing. Simple things like adding transition effects and cutting out long pauses will help keep viewers watching your videos for longer.

Helpful Blog Posts

How to Get People to Subscribe by Asking the Right Way

Understanding YouTube Analytics – Take Charge of Your Channel! (this one will teach you how to see which of your videos are doing best for watch time!)

How to Edit a YouTube Video and Get More Subscribers

Don’t Give Up

I risk sounding cheesy here, but I hope nobody gives up on their dreams as creators over something like this. Wanting to be paid for doing what you love is only natural, and you can still get there (YouTube monetization isn’t even the only way). There may even be better opportunities to generate revenue when you do. In the long run, this could be a good thing for YouTube. Nobody can really know yet.

How do you get subscribers, or increase your watch time? If you have any tips, share them with everyone! Also, make sure to let us know if there are any blog topics that might help you out with YouTube’s new monetization rules.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Nov 01, 2022• Proven solutions

0

YouTube changed its monetization policy and, once again, there are new monetization rules. Last year, in the wake of the ‘adpocalypse’ (click here for coverage on that ), they imposed a new milestone of 10,000-lifetime views which a channel would have to meet before applying for monetization. As of February 20, 2018, YouTube will be introducing 2 more obstacles to monetizing your videos.

1. The New Monetization Rules
2. Why YouTube Changed The Monetization Rules
3. How Do The Changes Affect Small YouTube Channels
4. Join the Conversation
5. Tips for Increasing YouTube Watch Time
6. Helpful Blog Posts
7. Don’t Give Up!

The New Monetization Rules

In order to qualify for YouTube monetization, you must meet these milestones.

1. You will need to have 1,000 subscribers.
2. You will need to have accumulated 4,000 hours of watch time over the last 12 months.

You can read the full announcement here.

Trying to get monetization on YouTube can feel like this.

Why YouTube Changed the Monetization Rules

YouTube’s reasoning for these changes is essentially the same as they gave for the 10,000 views milestone: having higher standards will help them prevent inappropriate or stolen content from being monetized. They also point out that the majority of channels affected will not have been making any significant money anyways (less than $2.50 per month, in most cases).

How Do the Changes Affect Small YouTube Channels

However, even if the immediate financial impact won’t be that financially significant, it is untrue to say these new rules will not affect YouTubers with smaller channels. Having to plan to achieve and maintain those 4,000 hours of watch time and 1,000 subs could have a major impact on how creators plan their content. Will you feel pressured to abandon content that you and your existing viewers love in favor of making videos that will get you to those milestones faster?

That will be a question facing a lot of smaller YouTubers, especially those who have already reached 1,000 subscribers and are now in a situation where they have to maintain those 4,000 hours of watch time. You won’t be cut off from monetization automatically if you fall from 4,000 hours to 3,500 hours one month (after already having monetized your channel), but YouTube may review your channel and remove monetization if time passes and you still haven’t gotten back up to 4,000 hours.

These new rules could also put niche channels at a disadvantage. Niche channels may have devoted followers who keep their watch time up, but getting to 1,000 subscribers could be harder for them purely because their potential audience is already smaller.

Join The Conversation

There have been b reactions to this news in our forums here on filmora.io, the majority of them negative. Although the perspective that these kinds of measures are necessary as YouTube becomes more and more crowded has also been represented, the majority of people who have weighed in find these changes unreasonable. If you haven’t yet, make sure to head over to the forums and join the conversation .

It probably doesn’t help that none of the regulations being put in place to stop smaller channels who might be ‘bad actors’ (YouTube uses the term several times in their announcement) will affect gigantic channels whose creators may already be behaving in wildly inappropriate (and not at all ad friendly) ways.

Cough. Logan Paul. Cough.

Tips for Increasing YouTube Watch Time

1. Sorting your videos into playlists encourages viewers to spend a lot more time on your channel.
2. Link your videos together using cards and interactive end screens/outros.
3. Basic video editing. Simple things like adding transition effects and cutting out long pauses will help keep viewers watching your videos for longer.

Helpful Blog Posts

How to Get People to Subscribe by Asking the Right Way

Understanding YouTube Analytics – Take Charge of Your Channel! (this one will teach you how to see which of your videos are doing best for watch time!)

How to Edit a YouTube Video and Get More Subscribers

Don’t Give Up

I risk sounding cheesy here, but I hope nobody gives up on their dreams as creators over something like this. Wanting to be paid for doing what you love is only natural, and you can still get there (YouTube monetization isn’t even the only way). There may even be better opportunities to generate revenue when you do. In the long run, this could be a good thing for YouTube. Nobody can really know yet.

How do you get subscribers, or increase your watch time? If you have any tips, share them with everyone! Also, make sure to let us know if there are any blog topics that might help you out with YouTube’s new monetization rules.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Nov 01, 2022• Proven solutions

0

YouTube changed its monetization policy and, once again, there are new monetization rules. Last year, in the wake of the ‘adpocalypse’ (click here for coverage on that ), they imposed a new milestone of 10,000-lifetime views which a channel would have to meet before applying for monetization. As of February 20, 2018, YouTube will be introducing 2 more obstacles to monetizing your videos.

1. The New Monetization Rules
2. Why YouTube Changed The Monetization Rules
3. How Do The Changes Affect Small YouTube Channels
4. Join the Conversation
5. Tips for Increasing YouTube Watch Time
6. Helpful Blog Posts
7. Don’t Give Up!

The New Monetization Rules

In order to qualify for YouTube monetization, you must meet these milestones.

1. You will need to have 1,000 subscribers.
2. You will need to have accumulated 4,000 hours of watch time over the last 12 months.

You can read the full announcement here.

Trying to get monetization on YouTube can feel like this.

Why YouTube Changed the Monetization Rules

YouTube’s reasoning for these changes is essentially the same as they gave for the 10,000 views milestone: having higher standards will help them prevent inappropriate or stolen content from being monetized. They also point out that the majority of channels affected will not have been making any significant money anyways (less than $2.50 per month, in most cases).

How Do the Changes Affect Small YouTube Channels

However, even if the immediate financial impact won’t be that financially significant, it is untrue to say these new rules will not affect YouTubers with smaller channels. Having to plan to achieve and maintain those 4,000 hours of watch time and 1,000 subs could have a major impact on how creators plan their content. Will you feel pressured to abandon content that you and your existing viewers love in favor of making videos that will get you to those milestones faster?

That will be a question facing a lot of smaller YouTubers, especially those who have already reached 1,000 subscribers and are now in a situation where they have to maintain those 4,000 hours of watch time. You won’t be cut off from monetization automatically if you fall from 4,000 hours to 3,500 hours one month (after already having monetized your channel), but YouTube may review your channel and remove monetization if time passes and you still haven’t gotten back up to 4,000 hours.

These new rules could also put niche channels at a disadvantage. Niche channels may have devoted followers who keep their watch time up, but getting to 1,000 subscribers could be harder for them purely because their potential audience is already smaller.

Join The Conversation

There have been b reactions to this news in our forums here on filmora.io, the majority of them negative. Although the perspective that these kinds of measures are necessary as YouTube becomes more and more crowded has also been represented, the majority of people who have weighed in find these changes unreasonable. If you haven’t yet, make sure to head over to the forums and join the conversation .

It probably doesn’t help that none of the regulations being put in place to stop smaller channels who might be ‘bad actors’ (YouTube uses the term several times in their announcement) will affect gigantic channels whose creators may already be behaving in wildly inappropriate (and not at all ad friendly) ways.

Cough. Logan Paul. Cough.

Tips for Increasing YouTube Watch Time

1. Sorting your videos into playlists encourages viewers to spend a lot more time on your channel.
2. Link your videos together using cards and interactive end screens/outros.
3. Basic video editing. Simple things like adding transition effects and cutting out long pauses will help keep viewers watching your videos for longer.

Helpful Blog Posts

How to Get People to Subscribe by Asking the Right Way

Understanding YouTube Analytics – Take Charge of Your Channel! (this one will teach you how to see which of your videos are doing best for watch time!)

How to Edit a YouTube Video and Get More Subscribers

Don’t Give Up

I risk sounding cheesy here, but I hope nobody gives up on their dreams as creators over something like this. Wanting to be paid for doing what you love is only natural, and you can still get there (YouTube monetization isn’t even the only way). There may even be better opportunities to generate revenue when you do. In the long run, this could be a good thing for YouTube. Nobody can really know yet.

How do you get subscribers, or increase your watch time? If you have any tips, share them with everyone! Also, make sure to let us know if there are any blog topics that might help you out with YouTube’s new monetization rules.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Also read: