YouTube Users In MENA Can Now Monetise Original Content

YouTube announced that it has opened its ‘partner program’ in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt, thanks to which users can now monetise original content on the video-sharing website.

Users in the three countries, who have a YouTube account, can become a partner by clicking and following the monetisation tab. Once partners, content creators will be allowed to generate revenue through their channel upload views, and build their audience, YouTube said in a statement.

Revenue is generated by the number of views that a video receives.

YouTube’s partner programme will also users to reach a worldwide audience and give them access to analytical tools and community resources, said the statement. The programme doesn’t restrict the upload and distribution of content.

“YouTube has seen dramatic increases in Egypt,” said Haisam Yehia, Strategic Partners Development manager, MENA. “Opening up the YouTube Partner Program in Egypt is a great step to help content creators develop their skills and provide original local content that can be appreciated locally and across the globe.”

YouTube viewership in the MENA region as a whole has risen dramatically in the last few years, and according to stats released last year, the site receives more than 260 million views per day from the region.

There are local versions of YouTube in eight countries across the Middle East, and about two hours of content is uploaded on the site from the region every minute.

Saudi Arabia leads the region with the most video playbacks followed by Egypt, Morocco and the UAE.