<h2>You Down With YPP?</h2>Episode Description:I break down YouTube’s latest changes to its Partner Program, including doubled watch-hour requirements and higher Shorts monetization thresholds ahead of the February 2027 deadline. I also bring in YouTube expert Adam Ivey’s take on why the real story isn’t necessarily the new criteria, and I share my own channel’s numbers so you can set realistic expectations for your own YouTube journey.Then the AI kids stop by for story time as I take a look at Spotify’s decade-long history of making big podcasting promises—and quietly failing to deliver on them. From a scrapped hosting partnership to a Creator Fund that never paid a cent, there’s plenty to unpack.Plus, Ray Ortega drops by with the shortest—and most accurate—definition of “podcast” you’ll ever hear.YouTube Partner Program (YPP) changes, effective February 1, 2027<ul><li>Watch-hour requirement doubles: 4,000 to 8,000 hours in the past year (new creators only; existing YPP members are grandfathered in)</li><li>Shorts monetization threshold doubles: 10 million to 20 million qualified views in 90 days to get in, then a rolling 10 million views every 90 days to maintain earnings</li><li>Full monetization tier: 1,000 subscribers, $100 payment threshold</li><li>Lower tier (500 subscribers): unlocks YouTube Shopping (affiliate) and channel memberships, requires 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views</li></ul> The real story behind the changes<ul><li>Adam Ivy's stat: 67% of YouTube creators make less than $10,000/year</li><li>YouTube's stated pivot: broadening revenue beyond ads, with bonuses for YouTube Shopping, brand-deal incentives, and trend-based earning boosts</li><li>YouTube says it expects to pay creators more in 2027 than 2026: money is shifting, not shrinking</li><li>Steve Stewart (<a href="https://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/pea" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Podcast Editor Academy</a>): "Don't just sell your audience to sponsors, sell sponsors on how great your audience is"</li></ul> Is YouTube worth it? The data<ul><li>Sounds Profitable's Podcast Atlas (slide 23): Clips lead viewers to watch a specific episode (30% often/always, 81% at least sometimes) and to become regular listeners (33% often/always, 84% at least sometimes)</li><li>Dave's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DavidJackson" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">real channel</a> numbers: 3,523 subscribers, ~$2.49 per 1,000 views, one video with 115 views earned 25 cents</li><li>Bottom line: YouTube ad revenue is icing, not cake. Don't budget groceries on it</li></ul> <h2>Spotify: a bedtime story for the AI kids</h2><ul><li>May 2015: Spotify launches podcasts through a small group of hosting "partners" (Libsyn, Blubrry), framed as a growth opportunity, not monetization</li><li>Spotify initially insists on hosting the media files itself rather than letting partners host. Partners build custom engineering to comply, then Spotify reverses course</li><li>2019: Spotify buys Anchor for $150 million, turning former hosting partners into competitors overnight, with free hosting</li><li>Spotify quietly submits shows to Apple Podcasts under its own account, hiding stats from creators and sparking creator frustration (often aimed at consultants, not Spotify)</li><li>2020: Megaphone acquired for $235 million. 2021: Whooshkaa acquired and folded into Megaphone, then shut down</li><li>2021: Betty Labs acquired, becomes Greenroom (Spotify's Clubhouse competitor)</li><li>2021: "New Era of Podcast Monetization": paid subscriptions, Open Access Platform, Spotify Audience Network announced</li><li>Mid-2021: Greenroom launches with a Creator Fund promised for live audio creators. Payment mechanics never disclosed</li><li>2021: Music + Talk announced ("play music in your podcast"), restricted to the Spotify app, paying subscribers only, after listening to the full episode</li><li>September 2021: Q&A and Polls launch, pitched as "the future of podcasting is interactive"</li><li>January 2022: In-house production studio "Studio Four" shut down with layoffs</li><li>April 2022: Greenroom rebrands to Spotify Live; Creator Fund confirmed to have never launched, quietly shelved</li><li>March 2023: Anchor rebranded to Spotify for Podcasters</li><li>April 2023: Spotify Live shut down entirely, two years after the original Greenroom launch</li><li>February 2024: Music + Talk and Anchor's recording tools killed; users redirected to Riverside</li><li>July 2024: Q&A and Polls shut down, replaced with Comments</li><li>Spotify's "walled garden" habits: video and transcripts only available on Spotify, resistance to RSS since it sends listeners off-platform</li><li>2026: Skip Ahead ad-skipping button testing begins, available only to Premium subscribers, while advertisers still pay for the ad</li><li>Audiobooks added, bundled with music, resulting in lower royalty payments to musicians</li></ul> What it actually takes to make money on Spotify<ul><li>1,000 Spotify audience members (last 30 days)</li><li>2,000 Spotify hours consumed (last 30 days)</li><li>At least 3 published episodes</li><li>Free alternatives exist too: Buzzsprout (90 days free), RSS.com, Red Circle</li></ul> Also in this episode:<ul><li><a href="https://www.rayortega.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ray Ortega</a>'s shortest definition of a podcast: "An RSS feed with audio or video content"</li><li>Dave will be at the Empowered Podcasting Conference. Say hello if you see him</li></ul> Links:Podnews (the definitive investigative piece): <a href="https://podnews.net/update/greenroom-creator-fund-mirage" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podnews.net/update/greenroom-creator-fund-mirage</a>Hollywood Reporter (original confirmation): <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-greenroom-creator-fund-live-audio-1235132234/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-greenroom-creator-fund-live-audio-1235132234/</a>TechCrunch (Spotify's official statement): <a href="https://techcrunch.com/?p=2302547" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://techcrunch.com/?p=2302547</a>Tubefilter (stock price angle): <a href="https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/04/19/meta-live-audio-rooms-spotify-green-room-creator-fund-clubhouse/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/04/19/meta-live-audio-rooms-spotify-green-ro</a>Spotify's own support doc: <a href="https://support.spotify.com/al/creators/article/understanding-skip-ahead-button/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://support.spotify.com/al/creators/article/understanding-skip-ahead-button/</a>Podnews (the deepest industry-side reporting): <a href="https://podnews.net/article/spotify-threat-ad-skipping" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podnews.net/article/spotify-threat-ad-skipping</a>Hollywood Reporter (advertiser reaction): <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-new-ad-skipping-feature-1236670480/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-new-ad-skipping-feature-1236670480/</a>Forbes (scale/downloads context): <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/gabrielalinzainescu/2026/08/10/spotify-tests-ad-skip-button-that-could-upend-podcast-advertising/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.forbes.com/sites/gabrielalinzainescu/2026/08/10/spotify-tests-ad-skip-button-that-could-upend-podcast-advertising/</a>Variety (original 2024 reclassification): <a href="https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/spotify-music-audiobook-bundle-lower-royalty-for-songwriters-1235974942/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/spotify-music-audiobook-bundle-lower-royalty-for-songwriters-1235974942/</a>Music Tech (MLC lawsuit filed): <a href="https://musictech.com/news/industry/spotify-royalties-lawsuit-audiobook-bundling/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://musictech.com/news/industry/spotify-royalties-lawsuit-audiobook-bundling/</a>Music Business Worldwide ($3.1bn NMPA projection): <a href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/nmpa-says-spotify-bundling-move-could-cost-music-publishers-3-1bn-through-2032/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/nmpa-says-spotify-bundling-move-could-cost-music-publishers-3-1bn-through-2032/</a>Music Business Worldwide (lawsuit dismissed): <a href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-wins-audiobook-bundling-lawsuit-as-court-dismisses-legal-action-brought-by-the-mlc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-wins-audiobook-bundling-lawsuit-as-court-dismisses-legal-action-brought-by-the-mlc/</a>Variety (ruling coverage w/ judge's quote): <a href="https://variety.com/2025/music/news/spotify-wins-lawsuit-bundling-royalties-1236289823/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2025/music/news/spotify-wins-lawsuit-bundling-royalties-1236289823/</a>Time (FTC complaint, $150M NMPA estimate): <a href="https://time.com/6988114/spotify-songwriters-ftc-complaint-royalties-audiobooks-bundle/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://time.com/6988114/spotify-songwriters-ftc-complaint-royalties-audiobooks-bundle/</a>Digital Music News: <a href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2024/02/09/spotify-is-shutting-down-music-talk-music-licensing-feature-for-podcasters/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2024/02/09/spotify-is-shutting-down-music-talk-music</a>Podbean blog, on the March 2023 rebrand: <a href="https://blog.podbean.com/anchor-vs-podbean-podcast-hosting-alternative/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://blog.podbean.com/anchor-vs-podbean-podcast-hosting-alternative/</a>TechCrunch, shutdown of Spotify Live: <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/03/spotify-is-shutting-down-its-live-audio-app-spotify-live/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/03/spotify-is-shutting-down-its-live-audio-app-spotify-live/</a>Hollywood Reporter, Creator Fund never launched: <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-greenroom-creator-fund-live-audio-1235132234/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-greenroom-creator-fund-live-audio-1235132234/</a>Variety: <a href="https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-acquires-whooshkaa-podcast-1235135217" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-acquires-whooshkaa-podcast-1235135217</a>EIN Presswire (official press release text): <a href="https://www.einpresswire.com/article/558559979/spotify-announces-acquisition-of-podcast-technology-platform-whooshkaa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.einpresswire.com/article/558559979/spotify-announces-acquisition-of-podcast-technology-platform-whooshkaa</a>Spotify Newsroom, original launch: <a href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-09-30/podcasts-get-interactive-with-new-qa-and-polls-features/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-09-30/podcasts-get-interactive-with-new-qa-and-polls-features/</a>MIDiA Research, on the Comments replacement: <a href="https://www.midiaresearch.com/blog/why-comments-on-spotify-podcasts-are-more-about-youtube-than-community" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.midiaresearch.com/blog/why-comments-on-spotify-podcasts-are-more-about-youtube-than-community</a>Spotify Newsroom, "New Era of Podcast Monetization": <a href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-04-27/spotify-ushers-in-new-era-of-podcast-monetization-with-new-tools-for-all-creators/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-04-27/spotify-ushers-in-new-era-of-podcast-monetization-with-new-tools-for-all-creators/</a>PhoneArena, Substack/Open Access Platform coverage: <a href="https://www.phonearena.com/news/spotify-substack-partnership_id157238" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.phonearena.com/news/spotify-substack-partnership_id157238</a>Podnews, "Breaking: Spotify buys Gimlet... and Anchor": <a href="https://podnews.net/update/spotify-gimlet-anchor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://podnews.net/update/spotify-gimlet-anchor</a>Nieman Lab, "Anchor too?": <a href="https://www.niemanlab.org/2019/02/anchor-too-with-a-second-big-acquisition-spotify-shows-its-serious-about-podcasts-as-both-producer-and-platform/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.niemanlab.org/2019/02/anchor-too-with-a-second-big-acquisition-spotify-shows-its-serious-about-podcasts-as-both-producer-and-platform/</a>Music Business Worldwide, exact deal figures ($154M Anchor): <a href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-has-acquired-three-podcast-companies-this-year-total-cost-404m/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-has-acquired-three-podcast-companies-this-year-total-cost-404m/</a>Forbes, Hot Pod/Ashley Carman quote on Spotify vs. YouTube: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johanmoreno/2022/02/18/spotify-acquired-two-major-podcast-technology-companies-youtube-should-be-concerned/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.forbes.com/sites/johanmoreno/2022/02/18/spotify-acquired-two-major-podcast-technology-companies-youtube-should-be-concerned/</a>TechRadar (skips even Spotify's own promo messaging): <a href="https://www.techradar.com/audio/spotify/spotify-quietly-added-a-button-to-skip-ads-in-podcasts-except-for-its-own-promotional-content-and-its-sparked-widespread-concern-for-the-future-of-podcasting" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.techradar.com/audio/spotify/spotify-quietly-added-a-button-to-skip-ads-in-podcasts-except-for-its-own-promotional-content-and-its-sparked-widespread-concern-for-the-future-of-podcasting</a>Research Links<ul><li><a href="https://creators.spotify.com/resources/news/next-era-of-monetization-on-spotify">Introducing the next era of monetization on Spotify</a></li><li><a href="https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/youtube-partner-program-updates-2027-new-opportunities-earn/">Changes to the YouTube Partner Program - YouTube Blog</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/v9f0PRgphZM"> What is a Podcast? - Ray Ortega</a></li><li><a href="https://soundsprofitable.com/research/the-podcast-atlas/">The Podcast Atlas: A Map of the Creator Ecosystem - Sounds Profitable</a></li></ul> Mentioned in this episode:What Does Worry Free Podcasting Look Like?It means not having to worry about buying the wrong equipment.
It means not worrying about wasting your money - you can cancel anytime during your first 30 days and get your money back.
It means getting one-on-one coaching with a TEACHER who wants you to learn and grow and not upsell you on 20 more products. 
You can do this. I help podcasters. It's what I do, and I can't wait to see what we do together.<a href="https://school-of-podcasting.captivate.fm/start">School of Podcasting</a>Live AppearancesI love to meet people when I'm on the road. I'm going to be at 
Empowered Podcasting Conference in Charlotte NC
Podcast Movement in NYC
Podindy in Indianapolis In.
For more information and links, go to schoolofpodcasting.com/where
To have me speak at your event, reach out at schoolofpodcasting.com/contacnt<a href="https://school-of-podcasting.captivate.fm/where">Where Will I Be?</a>Podpage Email AlertsPodpage just launched a feature called Episode Alerts. It automatically emails your subscribers the moment a new episode goes live — no third-party email tool needed. When you publish, Podpage sends the email, links listeners straight to the episode, routes replies to your own inbox, and handles unsubscribes automatically. They also run every email address through validation and monitor bounces/spam complaints to protect your sender reputation.

It's not meant to replace a full newsletter platform — no drip campaigns or segmentation — just a simple "hey, new episode's up" notification.

It's available for Pro and Elite users, with monthly sending caps of 500 emails on Pro and 5,000 on Elite. 

For more information see https://www.podpage.com/updates/introducing-episode-alerts/<a href="https://school-of-podcasting.captivate.fm/podpage">Podpage</a>Question of the Month: The Smallest Amount of DownloadsWe all want a bigger audience. We all put a lot of work into our shows. With this in mind, what is the smallest amount of downloads you would do the show for? If it drops below a number would you stop, or put effort into finding out why?
Does the size of your audience matter?
Go to schoolofpodcasting.com/question by August 28th (and don't forget to say a little bit about your show and your website address so I can link to it in the notes)<a href="https://school-of-podcasting.captivate.fm/start">School of Podcasting</a>

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