Verdict. Turn it on if you are already in the YouTube Partner Program in one of the 24 listed countries. It costs nothing, takes no cut, and puts your rates and audience data in front of brands that already buy Google Ads. Treat it as an inbound lead source, not a payment system. YouTube steps out once a brand makes contact, so contracts, deadlines and late payers are yours to handle.
- Founded
- 2020 (Google bought FameBit in 2016 and renamed it YouTube BrandConnect in June 2020. YouTube merged BrandConnect with its Creator Partnerships Hub and relaunched it as YouTube Creator Partnerships on March 24, 2026.)
- Headquarters
- San Bruno, California, US
- Best for
- Monetized YouTubers who want inbound brand inquiries
Who can join. You must be 18 or older, in the YouTube Partner Program, based in one of 24 listed countries and regions, and free of active Community Guidelines strikes. Full partner program entry takes 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days.
YouTube Creator Partnerships pricing and fees
YouTube lists no fee for either side, so brands pay you a negotiated rate directly, plus normal Google Ads spend if they boost the video.
| Plan | Price | Fee on sales | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creator search in Google Ads | $0 | No platform fee listed | Open to any active Google Ads account registered in a YouTube Partner Program country. Old minimum spend rules no longer apply. |
| Creator partnerships boost | Ad spend | Normal Google Ads costs | The brand runs a creator's sponsored video as a Shorts or in-stream ad after the creator grants access. |
| Sponsored deal | Negotiated | Brand pays creator directly | Rates and payment terms are agreed between you and the brand or its agency. |
Payment processing. YouTube does not process deal payments. The brand or its agency pays you directly on whatever terms you agree.
What brands pay. Creator search, lists and messaging in Google Ads are free for any active Google Ads account in a YouTube Partner Program country, with no minimum spend. Brands pay the creator's negotiated fee directly and pay normal Google Ads rates to boost sponsored videos.
What creators keep. 0%. YouTube lists no fee and stays out of the payment, so the brand pays you the full agreed amount.
Payouts. Paid by the brand, not YouTube, so speed and method depend on your contract. YouTube's help page tells creators to settle payment terms with the advertiser or agency directly.
What you get with YouTube Creator Partnerships
- Creator Partnerships tab in YouTube Studio
- Separate rates for long-form videos and Shorts
- Customizable media kit with audience insights
- Brand inquiries managed in YouTube Studio
- Business email copied on every inquiry
- Open Calls brand briefs, US only
- Gemini-powered creator search for brands in Google Ads
- Creator partnerships boost to run sponsored videos as ads
YouTube Creator Partnerships pros and cons
What we like
- No fee on either side. Every dollar the brand agrees to pay goes to you.
- Brands find you inside Google Ads, where their ad budgets already sit.
- You set separate rates for long-form videos and Shorts.
- Now in 24 countries and regions, up from 7 at the March 2026 relaunch.
What gets in the way
- Locked behind the YouTube Partner Program, so small channels are shut out.
- YouTube doesn't collect or guarantee payment. Chasing late invoices is your job.
- Open Calls, where brands post briefs you can apply to, is US only.
- Earnings estimates you see come from advertisers and are not real offers.
Who should skip YouTube Creator Partnerships
Skip it if you aren't in the YouTube Partner Program yet or live outside the 24 listed countries, and pitch brands directly or use an open marketplace instead.
YouTube Creator Partnerships alternatives
| Platform | Score | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Passionfroot | 7.0 | B2B newsletter and LinkedIn creators selling sponsorships |
| Billo | 6.6 | Ecommerce brands testing UGC ads without a subscription |
| GRIN | 6.5 | Shopify brands running gifting and affiliate programs at volume |
| TikTok One | 6.2 | TikTok creators 18+ who want brand deals paid in-app |
Head to head: TikTok One vs YouTube Creator Partnerships.
See all 10 creator marketplaces for brand deals ranked.
YouTube Creator Partnerships questions
What happened to YouTube BrandConnect?
YouTube merged BrandConnect with its Creator Partnerships Hub and relaunched it as YouTube Creator Partnerships on March 24, 2026. YouTube said no BrandConnect features were discontinued. Creators use the Creator Partnerships tab in YouTube Studio, and brands reach creators through Google Ads.
How many subscribers do you need for YouTube Creator Partnerships?
YouTube sets no separate subscriber count. You need to be in the YouTube Partner Program, which for full entry means 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. You must also be 18 or older with no active strikes.
Does YouTube take a cut of brand deals?
No fee appears in YouTube's or Google's help pages. Brands pay creators directly, and YouTube tells creators to work out payment terms with the advertiser or agency. If a brand boosts your sponsored video as an ad, it pays Google for that ad spend separately.
Which countries is YouTube Creator Partnerships available in?
As of October 2026 YouTube lists 24. They are Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the UAE, the UK and the US.
Sources
We checked these pages on October 20, 2026. Platforms change fees often, so confirm on the official page before you commit.
- YouTube Help: Get started with YouTube Creator Partnerships
- Google Ads Help: About YouTube Creator Partnerships
- YouTube Help: YouTube Partner Program overview and eligibility
- PPC Land: YouTube Creator Partnerships replaces BrandConnect in 7 markets
- PPC Land: YouTube expands Creator Partnerships to four more countries
- Tubefilter: BrandConnect is evolving into Creator Partnerships
- Tubefilter: YouTube rebrands FameBit to BrandConnect