User generated content has always been lambasted as a way for clever business people to take the creative work of others and wrap Adsense around it for their own gains. Since it took off, YouTube has been the poster child for these detractors. It’s creators made millions on the backs of those who choose to upload their videos for free.

YouTube Partners

YouTube responded by creating their Partner’s Program. The problem was that so few publishers were actually let into the pilot, that it did not make much of a difference to the scads of creatives that were still uploading their content for free. Now, YouTube has decided to change its stripes and open up its Partner network to everyone.

Just because the application process is open, doesn’t mean that just anyone is let in. Right now, they are looking for publishers that have made significant contributions to the YouTube community and that have developed a large audience. That means that if the only people watching your videos are in your immediate family, you might not be their target market. They are also looking for authors who follow TOS, so if all you’ve uploaded are Daily Show clips you need not apply.

Being a part of the program means that you get a share of the revenue made by YouTube from the ads displayed on the same page as your videos.

Web 2.0 Roundup

All in all 100 new publishers have been added to the system so far, giving burgeoning film makers a bit of motivation to add their next work to YouTube. While I don’t imagine that you will get rich off of this revenue share, it is a great first step towards turning user generated content into a real business model.

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