YouTube Creator Award Changes

Introduction to Creator Award

• YouTube's Creator Award is given at 1 million subscribers.
• It is known for being prestigious, heavy, and large.

Upcoming Changes in August 2024

• YouTube is introducing a new, smaller version of the Creator Awards.
• The changes are a response to a growing number of creators achieving significant milestones.
• The quality and design of the awards will remain the same, but the size will be reduced.

Size Comparison of New Awards

• New Gold Play Award: Similar size to the original Silver Play Award.
• New Silver Play Award: Similar size to the original Play Award.
• Overall, the new awards will be approximately 30% smaller.

Reasons for Size Reduction

• Increased number of creators achieving milestones due to the introduction of YouTube Shorts.
• Growth in audience can occur quickly on the Shorts platform.
• Original milestones were set a decade ago, and the numbers now reflect the current creator community.
• Cost implications: YouTube incurs costs in the range of 6 to 7 figures annually for awards and delivery.

Community Reactions

• Creators are mixed about the reduction in award size.
• There's recognition that YouTube provides these awards at no cost.
• Community sentiment reflects disappointment but also understanding of the business implications.

Suggestions for Improvement

1. Maintain Size, Introduce New Awards:
   • A new play button specifically for Shorts creators, acknowledging their unique growth trajectory.
2. Open Design Competition:
   • A competition where creators submit designs for a new award, letting the community decide the best one.

Additional Awards for Purchase

• New awards might be available for creators to purchase if they need additional copies.
• Items such as a gold letter can also be purchased.

Conclusion

• Design of the awards remains unchanged, but the size is reduced.
• Speculation about future changes, humorously referencing a prototype for 2034.