YouTube BrandConnect is a self-service platform that connects creators with opportunities to get paid for branded content campaigns. Brands can use our proprietary influencer dashboard to execute their branded content campaigns and identify creators to work with.
The YouTube BrandConnect platform features:
- Opportunities to earn money working on branded content campaigns that are aligned with your preferences
- Self-service tools within YouTube Studio to manage campaigns from beginning to end
- A customizable Media Kit, with audience insights tailored to your channel, so you can pitch yourself to brands and secure deals
- Best practices and resources to help guide you
With YouTube BrandConnect, you can effectively manage your campaigns, retain creative control, and choose who to work with.
Availability and eligibility requirements
To participate on the YouTube BrandConnect platform, your channel must meet these minimum eligibility requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- In the YouTube Partner Program
- Based in the U.S.
- No active Community Guidelines strikes
Your channel must also follow YouTube’s monetization policies, including:
- YouTube Terms of Service
- YouTube Community Guidelines
- YouTube Platform Policies
- Any applicable terms that you agree to, including the YouTube BrandConnect Self Service Platform Terms
Turn on YouTube BrandConnect
To turn on YouTube BrandConnect for your channel:
- Use a computer to sign in to YouTube Studio.
- In the left menu, click Earn.
- Click the BrandConnect tab. This tab will only surface if your channel is eligible.
- At the top of the screen, click Get Started or at the bottom of the screen click Let’s Go.
- Review and accept the YouTube BrandConnect Terms of Service.
Manage YouTube BrandConnect
Set your preferences
Once you’ve accepted the YouTube BrandConnect Terms of Service, you’re eligible to get branded content opportunities. Brands can now discover you, but signing up does not guarantee the availability of branded content opportunities.
Opportunities from brands are surfaced directly in YouTube Studio where you can review the details. Your preferences will automatically filter opportunities to make sure that they’re relevant, acceptably priced, and calendar-friendly. You can change your preferences to improve your matches to suit your needs:
- Use a computer to sign in to YouTube Studio.
- In the left menu, click Earn.
- Click the BrandConnect tab.
- Click Set preferences.
Deal management
You can view the details for each opportunity in your dashboard by clicking SEE DETAILS. Each opportunity includes a high-level overview of the campaign’s timeline. The campaign timeline lets you work through each stage of the deal and view where you are in the process. The campaign’s timeline will include three high-level stages: offer, video production, and payment.
Offer
The “Offer” section will outline the details for your campaign and include more info about the brand:
|
Price |
The amount of money you can earn for this deal. The final amount that you can earn from the deal will vary based on factors including, but not limited to: campaign size and creator reach. You can negotiate the price for each opportunity directly in YouTube Studio. |
| Campaign goals | The brand’s goals for the campaign. |
| Deliverables | What you must deliver to the brand for the campaign. |
| Campaign requirements | YouTube BrandConnect platform requirements that the campaign must meet to be eligible for payment. |
| Additional requirements | If included, this field includes requirements from the brand that the campaign must meet to be eligible for payment. |
| Product or service provided | A description of the product or service given to you by the brand in exchange for your services. |
| Talking points | Ideas the brand wants to get across to viewers with the campaign. |
| Campaign call to action | An action the brand wants you to encourage viewers to perform. For example, a call to action can be to go to a website, or to register for an account. |
| Description box | Any details the brand wants you to include in the Description box of your content. |
| Product information | An overview of the brand you’re working, any relevant product information, and a link to the brand’s website. |
|
Questions |
If you have more questions about the offer, you can get in touch with the brand through YouTube Studio, by clicking Contact Campaign Manager. |
| Campaign agreement | The agreement between you and the brand for the deal. You can accept the deal directly in YouTube Studio. Copies of the contract are emailed to you. |
Video Production
Once you’ve accepted a brand deal, you can work on the content for your campaign. The “Campaign video” section outlines next steps for you to upload your content, as Unlisted, and submit it to the brand for review and approval. If the brand has any feedback, you will get an email with your brand partner’s comments.
In addition to brand reviews, your content is also reviewed against Google Ads policies and Community Guidelines. Once your content is fully approved, you get an email and status update in YouTube Studio. You can publish your content right away, or schedule when you want it to go live. Make sure you publish according to the timeline you agreed to with the brand.
Payment
In the “Payment” section, you can find performance and payment info, such as, but not limited to:
- Total proposed pricing for participating in a branded content campaign
- Processing updates so you know whether your payment was approved and sent to AdSense.
- Payment summary so you can view your performance and payments.
Media Kit
YouTube BrandConnect also offers a customizable Media Kit tailored with rich audience insights and channel metrics to effectively pitch and position your channel to brands. Learn how to use your Media Kit.
Revenue
YouTube BrandConnect will pay you the price 30 days after your video goes live through AdSense. To find the total amount of money that you’ve made through YouTube BrandConnect:
- Use a computer to sign in to YouTube Studio.
- In the left menu, select Analytics.
- From the top menu, select Revenue.
- Find the Revenue sources card.
If you’ve made money through YouTube BrandConnect during the selected time period, a “YouTube BrandConnect revenue” row will surface on the card. Learn more about where your revenue comes from.