YouTube is rolling out an exclusive Shorts feature for member-only audiences, enabling creators to offer short-form video content specifically to their paid subscribers. This addition supplements existing membership benefits such as custom emojis, badges, livestreams, and more, providing subscribers with extra value.
This exclusive access to Members-only Shorts aims to encourage more viewers to opt for paid subscriptions. YouTube suggests creators can leverage this feature for sharing exclusive news, unveiling products, or highlighting time-sensitive offers. It offers a platform for interactive content like Q&As, sneak peeks behind the scenes, or previews of forthcoming material.
This update coincides with TikTok expanding its subscription model to a broader range of creators. Recently, TikTok upgraded its LIVE Subscription feature to a more inclusive “Subscription” service, opening the door for standard creators to publish content exclusively for their subscribers.
Creators uploading Shorts have the choice to restrict viewing to subscribers through a “members only” setting found in the visibility options. They can apply this setting to new or existing Shorts and even schedule a transition from Members-only to Public viewing, granting subscribers first look at new content.
YouTube advises keeping these exclusive Shorts more relaxed and genuine compared to public postings, aiming to foster a closer connection between creators and subscribers.
Subscribers will find these exclusive videos under the Shorts tab, in their Subscriptions feed, and on the creator’s channel, identifiable by a special star icon signifying subscriber-only access.
As announced by YouTube, Shorts now achieves over 70 billion views daily, with over a quarter of YouTube Partner Program channels earning revenue from Shorts through a shared revenue model.
