Creator News (September 8): YouTube Shorts Thumbnailss, Invalid Activity FAQ, Google Photos Search

Introduction

Welcome to this week’s Creator News! Today, I’ll cover some exciting updates from YouTube regarding YouTube Shorts, an important FAQ about invalid activity for partners, an update from Twitch for ad management, and some advancements in Google Photos. So, let’s dive in!

YouTube Shorts Custom Thumbnails

One of the most sought-after features for YouTube Shorts has finally arrived: creators can now customize the thumbnail for their Shorts! Previously, YouTube would automatically select a frame from the video when uploaded from desktop, which wasn’t always flattering.

Here’s how it works:

• When uploading through the YouTube Shorts editor, you can select a screen grab as the thumbnail.
• There are options to add filters and text, allowing for a more personalized appearance.
• Additionally, you can now edit the thumbnails of Shorts you’ve already uploaded using the YouTube mobile app.

It’s important to note that while these thumbnails are a great addition, they will not show up in the Shorts feed itself. However, they will appear on your channel, in subscription feeds, and when shared on social media, potentially impacting views positively.

Invalid Activity FAQ for YouTube Partners

For YouTube partners monetizing their content, encountering an issue with invalid traffic can be frustrating. Invalid activity occurs when YouTube identifies traffic that does not originate from genuine user engagement. This can lead to limitations on ad serving and potentially affect earnings.

Key Points on Invalid Activity:

• Invalid activity is not always the fault of the creator; it can stem from bots or other unavoidable actions beyond control.
• The YouTube FAQ clarifies that deleting channels or turning off monetization won’t resolve the issue.
• Actions like embedding videos or adding promotions are unlikely to drive invalid traffic.
• Remember that YouTube balances the books by offsetting earnings if they discover invalid activity, which ensures advertisers aren’t charged for invalid clicks.

If you’re seeing warnings related to invalid activity, know that it might not be your fault and that YouTube is working to maintain fair monetization practices.

Twitch Ads Manager Update

Shifting gears to Twitch, there’s an exciting update for partners and affiliates regarding ad management. Twitch has updated their Ads Manager, allowing for greater control over ad insertion in live streams.

Highlights include:

• A new slider feature that lets you set how often ads appear during your video.
• Earning potential of 55% of net ad revenue by running at least three ad minutes per hour.
• Advanced settings for inserting ads in non-disruptive moments, chat notifications for upcoming ads, and the ability to snooze ads during high engagement moments.

This should enhance the user experience both for creators and their viewers, providing improved ad management tools.

Google Photos Search Enhancement

In the realm of Google Photos, a new feature has been introduced that enhances the search capabilities. Users can now utilize more natural language queries to locate photos. For instance, you can search for “photos of me laughing” or “pictures of this person eating.”

Additionally, Google is beta-testing a tool called “Ask Photos,” which serves as an AI-powered chat feature that helps users engage with their stored images. You can ask for specific records of past events, such as where you dined on your birthday.

Privacy and Subscription Considerations:

Google assures users that their photos will not be used for training AI models outside of Google Photos. However, many of these new features may require a Google One subscription for full access.

Closing Thoughts

This week’s updates from YouTube, Twitch, and Google showcase the evolving landscape for content creators. Whether it’s tools for enhancing video engagement or improved access to personal media, keeping updated is crucial for leveraging these platforms effectively.

Thank you for tuning in to this week’s Creator News!

Keywords

• YouTube Shorts
• Custom Thumbnails
• Invalid Activity
• Twitch Ads Manager
• Google Photos
• AI Tools

FAQ

Q: Can I change the thumbnail for my YouTube Shorts after uploading?
A: Yes! You can now customize the thumbnails using the YouTube mobile app after uploading.

Q: What should I do if I receive a notice about invalid traffic on my YouTube channel?
A: Understand that this may not be your fault. Review the FAQ from YouTube, as deleting your channel or turning off monetization is unlikely to resolve the issue.

Q: How does Twitch’s updated Ads Manager benefit creators?
A: The updated Ads Manager allows for setting ad frequency, improves earning potential, and provides advanced controls to minimize disruption during streams.

Q: What language capabilities has Google Photos introduced?
A: Google Photos has introduced natural language search capabilities and an AI chat feature called "Ask Photos" to help users find specific images.