I'm a paid YouTube content provider? Really?

[Random Encounter]

A couple weeks ago I get an email from Google that caught me a bit by surprise.

It said that my YouTube video My Introduction Video for URNotAlone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmnT5YBFWjg) had received enough views that they wanted my permission to advertise on the YouTube page with my video on it and that I would get 55% of any advertising revenue generated by clicks on those ads.

Now I always assumed, it being their site and all, that YouTube could place ads on their site however they wished in exchange for hosting user's videos for them. It never occurred to me that high traffic videos would get tagged as content providers and that they would share the ad money with those users.

The other thing that was odd about it for me was that I posted this video to YouTube before I told anyone about my crossdressing. So I wanted it to be hosted on YouTube but only seen by those I provided the link to. This meant having just one tag on the video and making it as hard to accidentally find as I could.
I'm sure a majority of the traffic was people following the link from URNA, but there were comments from people who obviously found it by searching YouTube, stumbling across it or following someone else's favorites list there.
As I'm posting this that video is up to a little over 38,000 views. :shock:

I read up on the whole deal before I agreed and, even though I accepted the terms, I don't think I'll really see any money. My video is more popular than I expected but not popular enough to generate traffic to advertised sites, I would only get something if clicks on the ads also end up being paying customers to the site linked to and adsense only sends me a check if my total balance gets to $100 or more.

But still kinda weird and flattering in a way.

[Name Lips]

That IS cool. Hits are hits even if you didn't expect them. And I still think nobody clicks those ads on purpose... but hey, if it makes you money that's cool too!

[Lady Fury]

You should be flattered. That's really awesome!

[Schizm]

That is totally excellent.

[Cat of Ulthar]

Seeing as the add that came up for me when I checked out your link was "Want a muslim partner?" (Because honestly, who checking out this hot transgender chick *doesn't* want a muslim partner?)... I don't think it will be a major source of income.;) But it's a good video, and congratulations on the many views!

[Lady_Acoma]

Why is it that you Always get those ads? I NEVER get those. Not once in the entire time I have been on the web can I think of a time I have seen one of those. Now granted I do zone out ads, but still!

[The Winslow]

YouTube belongs to Google. Google is the new Bill Gates, as I have told many times. Google knows that Arabic and Islamic stuff are among Cat's domains of interest, and therefore send her such adds. Google also knows what her real name is. Google knows where she lives. Google watches her sleep.

Personally, though, I never see those ads because I wub my noscript/adblock+ combo.

[Ancalagon]

congrats! I didn't realize the treshold was so... low (view wise, 38 000 is not that much after all)... but I think I can see how it works.

If you were going to get paid automatically, all you have to do is sit back and watch the pennies roll in. However, because you have to have at least 100$ worth to get *anything*, you (or any other user in your position) will feel encouraged to promote your video etc. All this do is generate more traffic to youtube and thus make Google more money. It's brilliant really.

me, I am glad the only youtube video I am in (that I know of) has stayed under the radar with only about a thousand views