Zach

I have been a viewer, supporter, fan, and subscriber to many of my favorite YouTubers for several years now. The channels I watch consistently have a wide span of subscriber counts, from ‘just’ 100 - to several millions. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

I remember when I first started watching YouTube for its creators, rather than using it to watch funny 30-second clips of people failing at life, or to learn how to change my headlight. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

It was on a night, many years ago, when I was feeling really down. I was bored, mindlessly scrolling through the “related videos” section of YouTube, until I saw this thumbnail of a girl standing in her kitchen drinking. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

Not only was I fascinated by her amazing cooking skills, I was completely blown away at how she was able to instantly capture my attention and earn my views - and still does to this day. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

That girl - drinking her sisters wine alone in her kitchen - has gone on to write not one, but TWO NYT best selling books. She has her own TV show on the Cooking Network, and has done so much to help people all over the world. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

When I first started watching @harto's videos, she had just a few thousand subscribers. Today, with over 2.5 million subscribers on her main channel, Hannah has been able to make a living by doing what she loves. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

I was so inspired back then, seeing "regular, everyday people" creating these hilarious, interesting, entertaining videos, and making enough money to quit their 9-5 jobs. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

It seemed like so many opportunities were finally in my reach, and that the one door I had been waiting on to finally open, just burst off its hinges and fell to the ground right in front of me. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

I started creating videos not long after, & still upload on a not-so-consistent basis. I'm in love with the idea of being able to do what I want, when I want, how I want, with the possibility of earning a living while doing it. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

From sit-down videos with millions of views, to panels of highly paid individuals with high subscriber counts, we've been told "don't worry about the numbers" when in reality, that's all anyone cares about. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

And today, with the announcement of changes to its YouTube Partner Program, that exact point was proven by @YouTube themselves. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

Despite best efforts, the days of smaller creators being able to organically garner a following on their channels, is completely gone. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty

In the past few years, @YouTube has done everything in its power to support, advertise, and promote channels and individuals with massive followings for no other reason than to sell itself to mainstream advertisers. #YouTube #YouTubePartnerProgram #YouTubeIsOverParty