YouTube is reportedly blocking content creators from linking their Patreon accounts at the end of videos unless they’re monetized through the platform’s Partner Program.
Several users on Twitter have complained about the new move, pointing out that users rely on Patreon donations when YouTube censors them and demonetizes their videos, which has become an increasingly common problem on the platform.
Other users claimed the new move could affect small channels with less than 10,000 views, who won’t be able to monetize directly in any way.
In a statement, YouTube claims:
In order to use externally-linking end cards in videos, creators are being asked to join the YouTube Partner program, so that we can evaluate the validity of the channel, as well as determine whether the channel is following our community guidelines and advertiser policies. This update is meant to curb abuse and does not affect current YouTube partners or existing end cards. Additionally channels do not have to actually monetize any videos as part of this requirement.
In a post on Twitter, Patreon CEO Jack Conte announced he would investigate, declaring, “This would be hurtful for creators (and for Patreon) if true. [I] will do some digging and report back to the community.”
Popular YouTube creator Hank Green also announced he would be looking into the matter.
This month, it was reported that YouTube’s censorship and appeals algorithm is killing content creators, while liberal interviewer Dave Rubin, who has interviewed dozens of prominent political figures, announced that a large percentage of his videos had been demonetized, cutting him off from being able to make money on the millions of views he typically gets.
Other popular YouTube creators who have also been demonetized recently include fast food reviewer TheReportOfTheWeek, who had both a Burger King review and a video update on Hurricane Irma demonetized by the platform, and former presidential candidate Ron Paul, following Google’s announcement that they’d “police YouTube like it never has before,” according to a report.
Charlie Nash is a reporter for Breitbart Tech. You can follow him on Twitter @MrNashington and Gab @Nash, or like his page at Facebook.