YouTube launches members-only short feature

YouTube has rolled out a new member-only Shorts feature, enabling creators to share short-form videos exclusively with their paying subscribers.

This move aims to provide added value to YouTube memberships, offering subscribers access to exclusive content beyond existing perks like custom emojis and livestreams.

The introduction of Members-only Shorts follows TikTok's recent expansion of its subscription offering to non-LIVE creators.

This trend highlights a growing emphasis on providing exclusive content for paying subscribers across social media platforms.

Creators can designate Shorts as Members-only during the upload process or convert existing Shorts to exclusive content.

They also have the option to schedule the release of Members-only Shorts, providing subscribers with early access before making the content public.

YouTube encourages creators to maintain a casual and authentic tone with Members-only Shorts, offering subscribers a more intimate view into their lives and activities.

These exclusive short-form videos will be accessible to members through various channels, including the Shorts tab, Subscriptions feed, and creators' channels, marked with a star icon.

YouTube revealed that Shorts receives over 70 billion daily views, with over 25% of channels in the YouTube Partner Program monetizing their videos through Shorts revenue-sharing.