You’ve likely seen YouTube videos where at the end, the video’s creator adds a clickable link for users to visit a website, like the creator’s blog, a patreon page, or something else. You can click and go to whatever site it is.
Well, Google is changing their policy on this.
Now it seems that unless the video’s creator is enrolled in YouTube’s Partner Program, they will not be able to add clickable links to the end of videos. YouTube has confirmed these changes and in a statement, says, “This update is meant to curb abuse and does not affect current YouTube partners or existing end cards. Additionally channels do not have to actually monetize any videos as part of this requirement.”
So if you’re already part of the YouTube Partner Program, this change won’t affect you. But if you’re a small channel that’s still growing or if you have no intention of being part of the Partner Program, then you won’t be able to add clickable links to videos. To be part of the program, you will need at least 10,000 channel views and be approved as well.
This will hurt smaller channels of course, and while external links can still be added to YouTube’s description section, it’s not the same as being able to click it while you are in the video.
Source Ubergizmo