YouTube BrandConnect is still in beta….

YouTube BrandConnect is still in beta, and it's currently available only to a small group of creators. If you haven't gained access to it yet, there's no need to worry. The hope is that it will soon roll out to more countries, giving a broader range of YouTube creators the opportunity to utilize its features.

Although I received an invitation a few months ago and have signed up to try it out, I haven't secured any deals through BrandConnect thus far. However, I must admit that it's a really cool concept. Essentially, BrandConnect acts as a replacement for brand agencies on YouTube. When you agree to the terms and conditions, you gain entry into a marketplace where various brands are looking to advertise themselves. Your channel will be included in the list of available options, and the tools provided are YouTube's own, not third-party.

To be eligible for BrandConnect, there are several requirements you must meet. Firstly, you must be at least 18 years old. Additionally, being a part of the YouTube Partner Program is a prerequisite. Currently, BrandConnect is only available to creators based in the United States or India. It's also important to note that having no active community guidelines strikes is another condition for eligibility. As you can see, there are already strict criteria in place, limiting availability to only two countries and a select group of creators.

Interestingly, it seems that subscriber count does not play a significant role in determining eligibility. Despite not having reached 100k subscribers yet, I still received an invitation to join BrandConnect. It's possible that a minimum of 10k subscribers may be necessary, but this remains conjecture at this point.

BrandConnect aims to transform the way creators collaborate with brands on YouTube. As it moves out of beta and expands to more countries, it has the potential to provide a range of exciting opportunities for creators to monetize their channels and connect with brands directly. While the eligibility requirements are currently strict, it will be interesting to see how YouTube BrandConnect evolves in the coming months.