Joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is a requirement for all affiliate channels in multi-channel networks (MCNs). Once a channel reaches the program threshold, it's eligible to be reviewed to join the YouTube Partner Program.
Affiliates who join YPP will benefit from a direct relationship with YouTube, while maintaining the same operational relationship with their MCN. All affiliate creators must contract with YouTube on YPP terms.
Not sure if you're an affiliate creator?
If you’re not sure whether your MCN has categorized your channel as an "affiliate," you should ask your MCN. MCNs can have two different types of channels under their YouTube network:
- Affiliate channels are managed at scale by their MCN and reside in an Affiliate Content Owner.
- Owned & Operated (O&O) channels are owned and operated by the partner. This means the partner has obtained exclusive rights to the channel's YouTube content and actively manages the operation of the channel (e.g. uploading videos) on a day to day basis. To the extent that the partner has less than perpetual, worldwide exclusivity to the O&O channel’s uploaded content, it is the partner’s responsibility to use appropriate features to manage the availability of the content on the platform.
Differentiating between these two types of channels allows YouTube to apply our policies and channel features with clarity and fairness.
Join the YouTube Partner Program as an MCN-affiliate
As a member of the YouTube Partner Program, you’ll gain access to new features as they become available.