Are you a YouTube creator hoping to win one of the coveted Creator Awards, commonly known as YouTube Play Buttons? You’re not alone, after all! These awards have evolved from modest vloggers to well-known media organizations, and they now represent the pinnacle of achievement for anyone hoping to succeed on YouTube.
But still, let’s face it: getting a Play Button is no simple task. Uploading a few videos and hoping for the best is not enough. To expand your channel and hit those crucial subscriber milestones, you must invest the necessary time, energy, and strategy.
This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to create your very own YouTube Play Button, so you can relax knowing that we’ve got you covered. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from the various Play Buttons available to the subscription metrics you need to meet, to tips & tricks for expanding your channel and engaging with your audience.
Thus, whether you’re new to YouTube or an experienced user eager to take your channel to the next level, this article is for you. Let’s begin the journey to obtaining that sparkling Creator Award and making your stamp on the YouTube community!
What is the YouTube Play Button?
The YouTube Play Button is a series of awards introduced by YouTube to recognize and reward its creators for hitting specific subscriber milestones. Each of these milestones, which range in size from 100,000 to over 100 million members, comes with a unique Play Button reward.
For any YouTuber, getting a Play Button is a big accomplishment since it shows appreciation for the time and effort they put into building their channel. Also, it acts as a badge of honour that can strengthen a creator’s brand and increase their visibility outside of YouTube by gaining them more subscribers.
The Play Button awards are widely sought after, and many YouTubers strive to win them. While it may appear to some to be an unrealistic goal but over 300,000 YouTubers have accomplished the milestone for the Silver YouTube Play Button, proving that it is a feasible aim to establish for your channel.
Exploring the Different Types of YouTube Play Buttons
Now, you know what a YouTube play button is. Let’s explore the different types of YouTube Play Buttons.
Silver Play Button: The Silver Play Button is the first Creator Award that creators can apply for after reaching 100,000 subscribers. Almost 300,000 channels are eligible for a Silver Play Button, and some producers have even collected a collection of numerous Silver Play Buttons.
Gold Play Button: The Gold Play Button is awarded to creators who have reached 1 million subscribers. There are currently about 30,000 channels that have accomplished this feat since they were first introduced in 2012, before the Silver Play Button.
Diamond Play Button: For channels with more than 10 million followers, YouTube introduced the YouTube Diamond Play Button at VidCon 2015. Since then, Marvel and America’s Got Talent have also received special 20 million subscriber versions.
The Custom Creator Award: This award is also known as the Ruby Play Button by Pewdiepie, is granted to channels that have surpassed 50 million subscribers, such as Justin Bieber, Zee Music Company, and 5-Minute Crafts.
Red Diamond Play Button: The ultimate prize for YouTubers is the Red Diamond Play Button on YouTube! There have only been seven awards given to channels with more than 100 million members, including Pewdiepie, T-Series, SET India, and Mr. Beast.
How to Get a YouTube Play Button Award?
When you reach 100,000 YouTube followers, you are able to order your first play button (silver). The award is free, but if you reside in one of the following nations—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan—you’ll have to pay duty or tax on the shipment.
YouTube provides one free award per subscriber milestone. Extra play buttons can be ordered, but they cost money (pending channel review).
In addition to having 100,000 subscribers, you must also complete the following requirements to receive your first play button:
- An active YouTube channel with unique content
- Videos uploaded in the last six months
- No recent violations of Community Guidelines
- Outstanding performance in the YouTube Partner Program
- There are no scams or spammy stuff here.
- Compliance with YouTube’s Terms of Service
- Residence in an eligible country
Check your eligibility here if you have any questions at all.
Steps to Order a Play Button
- As soon as you reach a subscriber milestone, check your email.
- Look for the email from YouTube stating that you are qualified to receive an award.
- Copy the email’s redemption code.
- On the website for the Creator Awards, enter your redemption code.
- Enter the name of your channel.
- Provide your shipping details.
- Click “Order Now.”
Now, you’ll ask, how long will it take to get a YouTube Play Button?
Well, according to YouTube, play buttons are delivered within a month of ordering them.
Suppose you reached 100,000 subscribers and still you didn’t get an email from YouTube then check out the video below.
Important Tips to Help You Reach Your Subscriber Milestones Quickly & Easily
Now, as discussed for getting a first play button(silver) you’ll have to hit 100,000 subscribers. We know it’s not that easy but believe us it’s achievable.
All you have to do is to follow in the footsteps of thousands of successful creators who have already earned one.
- Grow Your Subscriber Base: Attract More Viewers to Your Channel
- Consistently post engaging content to keep viewers coming back
- Use strategies to gain subscribers, such as collaborating with other creators or promoting your channel on social media
- Optimize Your Content
- Focus on creating high-quality videos that viewers will enjoy
- Utilize keywords and tags to help your content appear in search results
- Encourage viewers to engage with your content through likes, comments, and shares
- Find Your Niche
- Identify your audience and create content that caters to their interests
- Stick to a specific niche or topic to help your channel stand out
- Analyze Your Channel: Use YouTube Analytics to Improve Your Content
- Use analytics to track your channel’s performance and identify areas for improvement
- Analyze metrics such as watch time, click-through rate, and audience retention to make data-driven decisions
- Master YouTube SEO: Rank Higher in Search Results
- Use relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags
- Optimize your video thumbnail and use engaging titles to entice viewers to click
- Utilize YouTube’s built-in SEO tools, such as tags and captions
- Stay Committed: Building a Successful Channel Takes Time
- Be patient and persistent in your efforts to grow your channel
- Continue to create high-quality content and engage with your audience to build a loyal following
Still, if you’re not getting the results that you’re expecting then check out the video below.
Imagine the feeling of opening a package and finding a shiny, custom-made YouTube Play Button inside. It’s a symbol of all your hard work, dedication, and creativity coming to fruition. But it’s not just the physical award that makes it special. It’s the knowledge that your videos have connected with people all around the world, bringing joy, education, entertainment, or whatever value you set out to provide.
The YouTube Play Button represents the impact you’ve had on the platform and the community you’ve built around your content. It’s a tangible reminder of the journey you’ve taken, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the growth you’ve experienced as a creator. And when you display it proudly on your shelf or wall, it’s a source of motivation and inspiration for yourself and others.
So, if you’re dreaming of earning your own YouTube Play Button, don’t give up. Keep creating, keep improving, and keep connecting with your audience. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll receive that special package in the mail and feel that rush of excitement and accomplishment. And we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.
