YouTube has introduced a new feature called Members-only Shorts, which allows creators to share short-form videos exclusively with their paying viewers. This feature gives paying subscribers access to additional content, in addition to their current membership perks such as custom emojis, badges, and livestreams.
Members-only Shorts on YouTube could incentivize viewers to subscribe to a paid membership. Creators can use this new option to share special announcements, product drops, or limited-time deals. They can also use it for Q&As, behind-the-scenes looks, or previews of upcoming content.
The launch of Members-only Shorts comes as TikTok has expanded its subscription offering to more creators. TikTok recently announced that its Subscription monetization tool is now available to non-LIVE creators, allowing them to post exclusive videos for paying subscribers only.
After uploading a Short, creators can choose to make it available only to their subscribers by selecting the “members only” option under the “visibility” section. They can also set an existing Short as Members-only and even schedule its release to give subscribers early access before making it public.
YouTube encourages creators to keep Members-only Shorts casual and organic to provide subscribers with a more intimate look into the creator’s life and activities.
Subscribers will see exclusive short-form videos in the Shorts tab, Subscriptions feed, and on a creator’s channel, marked with a star icon to indicate they are only available to paying subscribers.
YouTube announced that Shorts receives over 70 billion daily views and that more than 25% of channels in YouTube’s Partner Program monetize their videos through revenue-sharing on Shorts.
