YouTube just announced a major change to the Partner Program.

Unless I want to spend the rest of my YouTube career talking about mainstream Dungeons & Dragons, I may as well throw in the towel. If I listened to all of the advice from the YouTube gurus, AI coaches, or just look on TTRPG YouTube at all, really. Then again I’m told blogging has been dead for ages, too.

So, as of February 1, 2027, YouTube will require 1,000 subscribers and 8,000 public watch hours to qualify for AdSense revenue as was announced on 8/10/2026. The announcement video: https://youtu.be/gdDctjC10SY?si=Ih9YtXDYBomeUuHt

Don’t worry, though. Everyone’s little favorites like good old Ginny Di and Bob Worldbuilder will be just fine. They have their ad revenue, sponsors, convention appearances, etc. I might be a wee bit frustrated at my own lack of progress at this point. Yeah, I said “lack.” (LoA people know that’s a taboo.)

Either I’m barking in the dark, or I’m just not getting my points across.

I’m not entirely sure if I just wasted five years of my life here on this blog and another three on YouTube or if maybe, just maybe I’m not losing my marbles, and this is just one more obstacle on the path to success. I had a rough plan when this all started. Unfortunately the marker hasn’t moved past “Start a YouTube channel” yet. It’s really discouraging tonight, 80+ videos in.

Maybe this article will never see the light of day. I’m just venting rage right now. I’m tired of watching other creators with thousands of followers and God-knows-how-many watch hours raking in all the big bucks and attention. Some idiot that makes a video about once per year has 80K subs and piles of money, but I’m still down here playing with fckn Tinker Toys? Ask me who cares more about the hobby; and actually knows something as opposed to that clown who’s only in it for the money.

Hell, I’m not even after big money, but a little supplemental income sure would be lovely. I’m about ready to start a damn GoFundMe just to help my wife cover groceries and monthly expenses. I went from a job to unemployment and now a fixed income. Don’t worry about me. Pity my poor wife who puts up with my insanity.

Oh, and before I forget. Anyone who tries to feed you that line about “You don’t need AdSense revenue to make money on YouTube.” If you’re saying that, chances are your bills are paid. Here’s the truth: Sponsors look at subscribers and view counts. Marketing/ad agencies look at subscriber and view counts. Chances are if you’re not good enough for YouTube proper, you won’t be good enough for the legit sponsors elsewhere. Plenty of scams out there, though.

Not the article I wanted to be writing tonight.

I don’t think YouTube will hear a word I say, but I feel like someone needed to say it. I get it. YouTube is a business and so on. We’ve heard it all before. Then again these are the same people who said they wanted to help small creators and new channels. Look where we are now. Not a mainstream D&D channel? You’re screwed.

Here—I’ll save you money on entire YouTube courses: Title, thumbnail and the first 30 seconds are all that matter. Then just make sure the rest of the video follows up on those three things. That’s it. Make sure you add your end card and link to a playlist. Know your niche. There isn’t much more to it.

I wanted to do the Secret article for RPGaDay. After that was caught up I was going to push for a second and a third article on the timeline for RPGaDay. That’s way more fun than being frustrated about YouTube, monetization, and life in general. But where are the RPGaDay articles getting us? Does anyone even look at this stuff? Does anyone care?

It’s after 1:40AM currently. I’m ready to put the whole DungeonTuber roster on blast for one thing or another. The only one I don’t have issues with is The OG GM, and I’m sure he knows that. Instead I’m just going to go play some Diablo 3 and call it a night. This day has been one big disappointment.

Screw YouTube. Screw mainstream Dungeons & Dragons. Especially screw Wizards of the Coast. Screw DungeonTube. Screw Critical Role. Screw the whole thing. Jeff out.

Oh, and thank you for putting up with me during this trying time.