Tag: monetization

  • X considers monthly fee for all users as a countermeasure against fake accounts 

    X considers monthly fee for all users as a countermeasure against fake accounts 

    Renowned technology billionaire Elon Musk hinted on Tuesday that users of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, may face a monthly fee. Musk stated, “We’re moving to having a small monthly payment for use of the system,” during a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

    Musk’s proposal is driven by the need to combat the issue of bots and fake accounts on social media, with the idea of charging for verification. However, it remains unclear whether this was a spontaneous comment or a signal of more concrete plans. 

    The new owner of the social media giant X, who assumed control last year, is encouraging users to subscribe to X Premium, which offers paid subscribers additional features like longer posts and increased visibility. Currently, users can still access X for free. 

    While Musk insists that the primary objective is to combat bots, it is apparent that there is a financial interest for the company in charging users, according to the BBC. Musk explained, “A bot costs a fraction of a penny to make. But if somebody even has to pay a few dollars or something, some minor amount, the effective cost to bots is very high.” 

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    The world’s richest person is also exploring options for lower pricing tiers for X Premium, which currently costs $8 (£6.50) per month in the US, with variations depending on the subscriber’s location. He stated, “We’re actually going to come up with lower-tier pricing. So we just want it to be a small amount of money.” 

    Musk emphasised, “This is a longer discussion, but in my view, this is actually the only defence against vast armies of bots.” 

    However, there is a concern that placing X behind a paywall could result in a significant loss of users, potentially affecting the company’s primary source of income, advertising revenue. 

  • Google plans to generate more revenue with online games on YouTube

    Google plans to generate more revenue with online games on YouTube

    Google is exploring the possibility of earning revenue through online games on YouTube, as per a recent Wall Street Journal report.

    YouTube, a well-known platform for hosting videos, has apparently invited its employees to test a new feature called Playables. This feature allows users to play games directly on YouTube itself. Notably, this feature can be accessed on different devices such as mobile phones and desktop computers, as mentioned in an internal email obtained by the Journal.

    Users will have the convenience of playing these games either through a web browser on the YouTube website or via the YouTube app on both Android and iOS devices. Although the report suggests that several games are currently available for testing, it specifically highlights one called Stack Bounce. This arcade game, supported by ads, challenges players to demolish layers of bricks with a bouncing ball.

    While YouTube already generates revenue through gaming livestreams, this new product will provide an additional avenue to capitalise on the gaming industry, particularly as advertising spending experiences a downturn.

    It is worth noting that this venture differs from Google’s unsuccessful Stadia games streaming service, which was eventually discontinued. With YouTube’s existing vast and dedicated user base, attracting attention to this new feature should not pose a challenge.

    Playables bears some resemblance to Netflix’s gaming offering, where paying subscribers gain access to casual mobile games. In a similar vein, Netflix is reportedly exploring the expansion of its gaming initiative beyond mobile devices by testing TV games that employ smartphones as controllers, demonstrating ambitious plans for the future.

  • Meta introduces Stars for Pakistani content creators to monetize content

    Meta introduces Stars for Pakistani content creators to monetize content

    All Pakistani content creators who meet the requirements can now use Facebook Stars, Meta’s monetization tool, to connect with their viewers and grow their businesses.

    According to Express Tribune, Pakistani online content creators will be able to sign up, monitor their profits by content type, manage their goals, and access other Stars settings thanks to Stars, a digital tool that fans can buy and send to support creators.

    This feature is accessible in a variety of media, including Facebook Live, on-demand videos, photographs, and text updates.

    “Helping creators to build community and turn their passions into professions is a key part of our continued investment in Pakistan,“ said Jordi Fornies, Meta’s Director of Emerging Markets for the Asia Pacific region. “Today, we are thrilled to announce that Facebook Stars is open to all eligible creators in Pakistan, so more people can start earning while they grow their creativity, audience, and careers.”

    Reels introduced short-form, amusing video experiences and tools to creators and fans earlier this year when Meta debuted it in Pakistan. The fastest-growing content format on Meta platforms right now is reels. Every day, Reels are played on Facebook and Instagram in excess of 140 billion times.

    “We are encouraged to see Meta’s contribution to supporting local businesses in Pakistan and opening up different ways for Pakistani content creators to generate meaningful, reliable revenue on their platforms. We hope the Stars program will create new opportunities to monetize and play a role in strengthening the country’s digital economy,” said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, during his visit to the Meta regional office in Singapore today.

    The following eligibility requirements must be met in order for any Pakistani creative with at least 1,000 online followers over the previous 60 days to start getting Stars from their fans.

    “So wonderful to see Stars has launched in Pakistan, giving more creators like me on Facebook and Reels the opportunity to build community and earn money through doing what we love,” said Danish Ali, Pakistani content creator.

    “I’m excited for creators in Pakistan to start using Stars to generate an income and build deeper connections with their audiences as they grow on Facebook,” he added.

  • YouTube introduces Creator Music, a music store for content creators

    YouTube introduces Creator Music, a music store for content creators

    YouTube will now enable the monetization of licensed music for content producers. The company unveiled a platform called Creator Music earlier this week, allowing YouTubers to use a library of well-known songs in their videos without risking demonetization.

    With the rules of the music rights laid out plainly so that producers may understand the charges, this new location will offer a sizable collection of songs that they can browse through, search, and buy. Additionally, they will be able to select tracks that feature a new revenue-sharing option, which allows both content producers and owners of music rights to profit from their work.

    The modifications were unveiled at today’s Made on YouTube live event, where the company outlined its strategies for retaining the community of video creators in the face of TikTok’s mounting threat. Here, it made a number of announcements with the main goal of assisting creators in increasing their earnings.

    However, YouTube is also making it easier for producers to locate musical accompaniment for their videos using Creator Music.

    “Creators have told us, time and time again, that finding the right song isn’t the hard part. It’s actually figuring out how to license it,” said Amjad Hanif, VP of Creator Products at YouTube.

    The music license holder receives all ad money when a creative utilises a tune they don’t own, as was revealed at the event. Because of this, YouTube videos frequently do not use commercial music, which the company’s new service intends to address.

    The tracks on Creator Music can either be bought directly or through a rev-share agreement, which keeps the money in-house instead of going to the rights holder. In the first case, the creator is purchasing a license with clearly stated terms and fees.

    In the latter scenario, creators won’t have to pay anything up front to get access to the songs; instead, they will divide a portion of their earnings with the musicians.

    Creators can utilise this new resource to look for the songs they have in mind or to look for songs within the budget they have established for the project. Instead of being restricted to stock music or having no music at all, as is frequently the case, especially with smaller makers who cannot afford the costs associated with using music in their films, the service allows them a method to access a bigger repertoire of contemporary music.