Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter
Home Blog

Patreon adds live video to help creators build deeper connections

By
Gen Salinas
-
Patreon adds live video to help creators build deeper connections
Image courtesy: Patreon

Patreon is testing a new live video feature that lets creators stream directly on the platform. Patreon is making its platform the place where creators can run their businesses without relying on third-party tools.

This gives more creators the control when it comes to running their businesses. When creators rely on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Instagram for live video, they’re limited by algorithms, monetization policies and moderation rules they didn’t set. Patreon’s built-in live video changes that.

What the new Patreon Live looks like

The feature is still in testing, but Patreon has shared some key details.

Livestreams will be built into Patreon’s mobile and desktop apps. Creators will be able to choose whether their streams are open to all followers or restricted to paying members. Fans will also be able to chat with creators in real time through a live chat box. Once a stream ends, replays will be saved so supporters can watch whenever it’s convenient.

This feature works similarly to Instagram Live or YouTube Live but without the pressure of public exposure or algorithm-driven performance.

A big change for creators

Until now, creators who wanted to go live had to use tools like Zoom or OBS, then embed or link those streams back to Patreon, which is a lot of loopholes for the fans. Other platforms like YouTube and Twitch have had live video for years. But those tools weren’t built for member-only content. Patreon’s live feature is designed for exclusivity and audience intimacy.

If you’re a creator on Patreon, this is the time to think about how live video could fit into your content strategy. Whether that’s monthly AMAs, product demos, or exclusive workshops, this feature could help drive more engagement and more value for your paying supporters.

Image courtesy: Patreon

Snap’s new ad format encourages brands to sponsor creator education

By
Gen Salinas
-
Snap’s new ad format encourages brands to sponsor creator education
Image courtesy: Snap

Snapchat is introducing a unique advertising approach: allowing brands to sponsor its creator education events, known as Snap Schools. Through a partnership with nonprofit Ideas Foundation and media agency Wavemaker, Snap is giving U.K. students a practical introduction to brand sponsorships. The program is already rolling out in 25 schools, and has plans to expand.

What are Snap Schools?

Launched in 2022, Snap Schools are in-person workshops designed to educate creators on content creation, audience engagement and monetization strategies. To date, over 50 sessions have been held across regions, including the U.S., Mexico, Europe, MENA and India.

Brand integration into education

In February 2025, Clinique became the first brand to sponsor a Snap School. The event featured a Clinique-branded game show, candle-making activities, and networking opportunities. Clinique’s presence was integrated through AR Lenses, branding throughout the venue and interactive sessions.

Post-event, Clinique established partnerships with several creators who attended, including Joseph Arujo, Zaina, The Odditty, Shannon Baker and Ydelays.

Snapchat plans to offer 22 additional sponsorship slots throughout 2025. These sponsorships provide brands with direct engagement opportunities with both aspiring and established creators, which enhances brand visibility and fosters potential partnerships.

More learning opportunities for creators

Agencies like Wavemaker are seeing that younger creators often lack professional training. That slows down campaign work and creates more back-and-forth. A program like this helps close that gap before it becomes a problem.

Moreover, for creators, these sponsored Snap Schools offer more than just education. They present opportunities to connect directly with brands, potentially leading to collaborations and sponsorships. Engaging in these events can be a strategic move for creators aiming to expand their professional network and secure brand deals.

It also teaches creators how to stay within legal and platform guidelines, something even big names mess up. For brands, working with creators who understand this upfront makes campaigns more efficient and less risky.

Image courtesy: Snap

TikTok’s new monetization bonuses for creators

By
Gen Salinas
-
TikTok logos over violet background

TikTok is changing the way it rewards creators — again. The platform is reportedly testing a new bonus structure that aims to encourages creators to post regularly.

New monetization tool

TikTok’s new “creator bonus” model appears to focus on retention. Several creators have shared screenshots showing messages from TikTok that say they’ll only receive bonuses if they keep posting. That means even viral videos might not earn if creators stop uploading for a while.

The company hasn’t publicly confirmed all the details, but based on reports from creators, here’s what we know so far: Layouts now depend on consistent posting. Creators must stay active on the platform to qualify for bonuses. Even popular videos may not generate earnings if there’s a break in uploads.

A big change in monetizing videos

In the past, a single viral video could result in a solid payout. Now, creators are being pushed to build a routine and keep followers engaged over time.

For full-time creators, this aligns with what many are already doing. However, it might add more pressure to creators who are doing TikTok as a side hustle. It means creators will have to plan their schedules more carefully, especially if they rely on the bonus program for income.

How creators can adapt

If you’re earning through TikTok’s bonus system, you’ll need to post regularly on a schedule that’s manageable long term. One way to do that is by batching content, such as recording multiple videos at once, so you can maintain momentum even when life gets busy.

It’s also smart to check your Creator Center dashboard often. TikTok is still testing changes to the program, so updates may appear there first.

This change has been made by other platforms previously. YouTube’s algorithm favors consistency, and now TikTok is taking a similar approach. Whether this increases creator loyalty or drives people to other platforms remains to be seen.

YouTube launched a free AI music tool

By
Gen Salinas
-
YouTube just launched a free AI music tool

YouTube just rolled out a new AI-powered music-making tool designed specifically for Shorts creators. The platform is giving select users early access to a set of experimental features that make it easier to create original soundtracks for short-form content.

How the tool works

YouTube is introducing two new features: Dream Track and Music AI tools.

  • Dream Track lets creators generate a 30-second original track in the voice and style of major artists like Charli XCX, John Legend and T-Pain.

  • Music AI tools help creators generate instrumental backing tracks with simple text prompts like “hip hop beat with a relaxing vibe” or “80s synth pop for cooking video.”

    Both tools are directly integrated into the Shorts creation workflow, so you don’t need any external software or editing tools. You can generate, test and publish — all within YouTube.

Licensing issues with YouTube videos

Music licensing is one of the biggest friction points for creators. YouTube’s AI tools aim to eliminate that issue by giving you free tracks built into the platform that won’t receive copyright strikes.

It also could make production faster. Instead of spending 20 minutes digging through audio libraries or re-editing a clip to fit a trending sound, you can prompt YouTube’s AI and have a track ready in seconds.

Public access coming up

YouTube hasn’t opened up public access yet, but creators can sign up for experiments and features through YouTube’s Creator Research program.

In the meantime, it’s a good idea to start brainstorming short-form content where original music could help you stand out. Think about concepts that focus on a specific mood or vibe, since the AI tools work best with clear, descriptive prompts. You’ll also want to keep your Shorts under 30 seconds to match Dream Track’s current format.

When the feature rolls out more widely, you’ll already have a strategy ready to plug in and use.

YouTube gives creators more control over ads

By
Gen Salinas
-
YouTube gives creators more control over ads
Image courtesy: YouTube

YouTube is giving creators more control over ad placement with a new update to mid-roll ads. The platform has introduced two new ad break types, standard and non-intrusive, to help creators tailor the viewing experience without sacrificing revenue.

New way of doing ads

Previously, YouTube automatically inserted mid-roll ads based on engagement signals. Creators could also manually place ad breaks, but the system lacked flexibility. With this update, YouTube is refining how ads appear which gives creators more options to balance monetization and viewer retention.

The standard ad breaks behave like traditional mid-roll ads that interrupts content for a full-screen ad. Non-intrusive ad breaks on the other hand are less disruptive formats, such as overlay ads or small banners that don’t fully interrupt playback.

How the new ad placement helps creators

This update gives creators a better way to manage viewer experience while optimizing revenue. Instead of relying solely on YouTube’s automatic placement, creators can fine-tune their ad strategy.

For long-form content, using a mix of both ad types can help maintain engagement. A well-placed non-intrusive ad might keep viewers watching instead of skipping away after a disruptive break. Meanwhile, standard ad breaks can still be valuable in high-retention moments.

Creators can adjust their ad settings in YouTube Studio. When placing manual mid-rolls, they’ll now see the option to select standard or non-intrusive ad breaks. This lets them experiment with different placements to see what works best for their audience.

Aiming for more creator earnings

This move aligns with YouTube’s broader efforts to improve monetization tools for creators. As ad revenue remains a key income source, giving creators more control over how ads appear could lead to better viewer retention and, ultimately, higher earnings.

Image courtesy: YouTube

YouTube tightens AI rules as deepfake laws gain traction

By
Gen Salinas
-
Deepfake on YouTube
Image courtesy: DesiFakes

YouTube is cracking down hard on generative AI and deepfakes especially when it comes to celebrity voices and faces.

On April 10, the platform updated its policy to better align with the proposed No Fakes Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting artists and public figures from unauthorized AI recreations. This shift will affect how creators use AI tools on YouTube moving forward.

YouTube now protects voices and faces

The No Fakes Act, first introduced in October 2023, targets AI-generated impersonations that use someone’s voice or likeness without permission. While it’s still just a proposal, YouTube isn’t waiting around.

The platform now requires creators to get explicit permission before uploading content that realistically mimics someone else’s voice or face. This applies whether the content is fully synthetic or a blend of real and AI-generated media.

If a video breaks this rule, YouTube may remove it even if it wasn’t flagged by the impersonated person. The new policy prioritizes videos that could mislead viewers about who’s in the video or what they’re saying.

YouTube’s policy previously focused on deepfake elections content. Now it covers any realistic AI recreation of individuals, including:

  • Celebrities
  • Influencers
  • Musicians
  • Politicians
  • Everyday people, if they’re identifiable

What creators need to do

If you’re using generative AI in your videos, here’s what you should do:

  • Get written permission if you’re mimicking someone’s face or voice
  • Clearly disclose when content includes synthetic or altered media
  • Avoid misleading thumbnails or titles that suggest real people are featured when they’re not

YouTube’s enforcement will be complaint-driven. That means if someone believes you used their likeness without consent, they can submit a privacy complaint or report content under the deceptive practices policy.

Generative AI is still a powerful tool for storytelling and creativity on YouTube. But the platform is making it clear: creators are responsible for how they use it.

If you use someone’s face or voice — even with AI — you need their consent. If you don’t have it, don’t upload the content.

Image courtesy: DesiFakes

Twitch profited off banned channels — creators pushed back and won

By
Gen Salinas
-
Twitch

After a streamer was banned, Twitch users were still able to pay for subscriptions to channels that had been permanently banned. The problem? Those creators weren’t getting paid, the platform was keeping the revenue and viewers were unknowingly throwing money into accounts they couldn’t even access.

This only came to light because streamers started talking about it on social media platforms. Twitch didn’t proactively disclose the issue or offer refunds until it went public.

Now, Twitch says refunds are coming and the policy is being updated. But this issue went unnoticed for years.

How Twitch responded after the callout

After pushback, Twitch confirmed that it would refund users who subscribed to permabanned channels after the bans went into effect. The platform also said it will stop allowing subscriptions to those accounts and is updating its internal processes to prevent it from happening again.

However, Twitch hasn’t announced a refund timeline yet.

Another policy failure from Twitch

Streamers weren’t just sidelined — they lost out on revenue from subscriptions made after their channels were permanently banned. Twitch continued accepting payments without notifying viewers or sharing any of that income with the banned creators. Some streamers only found out because fans flagged the issue.

“You are still charging my recurring subs their monthly fee and paying me out despite incorrectly indefinitely banning me after 6 years with only 2 infractions,” banned Twitch streamer Incoxicated tweeted.

When they reported it to Twitch, many didn’t get clear answers. It wasn’t until creators spoke out publicly that Twitch acknowledged the problem, promised refunds, and committed to ending the practice going forward.

It’s not the first time that Twitch has received criticism from its community. When a platform can profit from creators who’ve been banned, that’s a policy failure. It shows how easy it is for platforms to prioritize revenue over ethics — until users push back.

MrBeast says Trump’s tariffs could be the final “nail in the coffin”

By
Gen Salinas
-
MrBreast Feastables
Image courtesy: MrBeast

YouTube megastar and entrepreneur MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, has publicly criticized President Trump’s new tariffs, calling them “pretty brutal” and warning they could be a “nail in the coffin” for small businesses. ​

As the founder of the chocolate brand Feastables, Donaldson is now considering moving production overseas. Tariffs on imported ingredients like cocoa have made U.S. manufacturing significantly more expensive.

How tariffs affect creators and their businesses

Feastables generated $215 million in 2024, accounting for half of Beast Industries’ revenue. Despite this success, Donaldson is weighing the cost of staying domestic against shifting operations abroad. He emphasized that while his company can adapt, smaller businesses might not survive these sudden cost increases. ​

This situation is a critical issue where the policy changes disrupt the supply chains, so creators with physical products face tough decisions. Rising costs can erode profit margins, making it harder to maintain ethical standards or keep prices competitive.

Before pausing many of the imposed tariffs, Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs introduced a 21% levy on cocoa imports from countries like Côte d’Ivoire. Moreover, the impact isn’t limited to chocolate. Toy companies, for example, are warning that prices could double by Christmas due to similar tariffs.

Overall impact of the tariffs

Trump’s tariffs before the 90-day pause initially hit imports like cocoa and aluminum with rates over 20 percent. For creators and small businesses, that means tighter margins, pricier materials and fewer options. Some companies may move production overseas to stay profitable, which could hurt U.S. jobs in the long run, especially if China considers its own countermeasures.

Image courtesy: MrBeast

Australian YouTuber Karl Jobst loses defamation case

By
Gen Salinas
-
Billy Mitchell
Image courtesy: Great Big Story

​Billy Mitchell, known for his Donkey Kong and Pac-Man world records since 1982, recently secured a legal victory in the Brisbane district court against Australian YouTuber Karl Jobst. The court ruled that Jobst defamed Mitchell in a 2021 video, ordering him to pay $350,000 in damages, along with interest and costs.

Background of the case

In 2021, Karl Jobst published a YouTube video alleging that Mitchell had cheated to achieve his high scores and engaged in baseless litigation against his detractors. The video also insinuated that Mitchell’s legal actions contributed to the suicide of fellow YouTuber Ben Smith, known as “Apollo Legend.” The court found these claims to be false and said it caused significant harm to Mitchell’s reputation. ​

Court findings

Judge Ken Barlow highlighted that Jobst’s assertions were based on falsehoods and that he failed to verify the accuracy of his claims before publishing the video. This reckless indifference led to the damages awarded to Mitchell. ​​

Despite previous controversies surrounding his gaming achievements, this is a big victory for Mitchell. The court’s decision emphasizes the necessity for content creators to adhere to ethical standards and verify information before making public accusations. Unfortunately, for Jobst, the court has ordered the creator to pay Mitchell $350,000 plus interest and costs.

Karl Jobst posted on X that he’ll soon release a video covering everything about the ruling.

Featured image courtesy: Great Big Story

President Trump gives second extension to TikTok regarding ban

By
Gen Salinas
-

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed another executive order delaying the enforcement of a law that would effectively ban TikTok in the United States. This marks the second 75-day extension, providing additional time for negotiations aimed at transferring TikTok’s U.S. operations to American ownership. ​

The first extension of the ban

In April 2024, bipartisan legislation mandated that ByteDance, TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, divest its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, or face a ban. On his first day back in office, President Trump issued an executive order granting a 75-day extension to facilitate a potential deal. This initial extension expired on April 5, 2025, prompting the recent additional 75-day reprieve. ​

Stalled negotiations

A tentative agreement had been reached, involving ByteDance and U.S. investors, to create a new entity managing TikTok’s U.S. operations, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake. However, following the administration’s announcement of new tariffs, the Chinese government withdrew its support for the deal, complicating negotiations. ​

Senator Mark Warner, ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has criticized the extensions, asserting they may violate the 2024 law requiring divestiture. Warner emphasizes that any deal must ensure complete separation from ByteDance to address national security concerns adequately.

Impact on creators

For content creators, this extension offers a temporary reprieve, allowing continued access to TikTok’s platform and audience. However, the ongoing uncertainty will push creators to diversify content. Relying solely on TikTok could be risky, given the fluid regulatory environment.

If you haven’t already, start building your presence on other social platforms. Whether it’s Instagram, YouTube Shorts, spreading your content across multiple platforms helps reduce risk and keeps your brand visible no matter what happens.

It’s also smart to build a direct line to your audience. That could mean creating your own website, launching a newsletter, or using a text marketing tool to stay in touch.

Finally, make it a habit to stay informed. This situation with TikTok is changing fast, and being caught off guard can set you back. Follow updates from trusted sources and be ready to adjust your strategy when needed.

While the immediate threat of a TikTok ban has been postponed, the platform’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain.

123...129Page 1 of 129
Creator Handbook. A publication for YouTubers and streamers.
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter
© Creator Handbook 2025
communal
communal