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    Artist deciding where to release a music video
    VEVO VS. YOUTUBE

    Vevo vs. Uploading Directly to YouTube

    Both put your music video online — but they treat earnings, eligibility, and reach very differently. Here's how to choose.

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    Vevo vs. YouTube at a glance

    Vevo via Mission Control
    Direct YouTube upload
    When you start earning
    From your very first view
    Only after qualifying for the Partner Program
    Eligibility requirements
    No minimum subscribers or watch hours
    1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours (or Shorts equivalent)
    Official artist channel
    Verified ArtistVEVO channel
    Standard channel unless separately verified
    Distribution reach
    YouTube plus Amazon, Hulu, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Pluto and more
    YouTube only
    Revenue share
    You keep 70% (70/30 split)
    Ad-revenue share once monetization is unlocked
    How earnings are set
    A pooled, network-wide rate — strong even for small artists
    Your own video's ad performance
    Self-serve upload
    Through an approved distributor (Mission Control)
    Direct upload anytime

    YouTube Partner Program thresholds are set by YouTube and may change. Note that a Vevo release still reaches YouTube — it's not either/or for your audience, only for how you publish and earn.

    Which should you choose?

    If you're an emerging artist who hasn't hit YouTube's monetization thresholds, distributing through Vevo lets you earn from your first view and gives you an official ArtistVEVO channel — without waiting to qualify. Your video still reaches YouTube, plus Vevo's wider network of streaming and connected-TV platforms.

    A direct YouTube upload makes sense if you want full self-serve control and aren't focused on maximizing music-video royalties. For most artists serious about monetizing official videos, Vevo is the stronger long-term home. See how much Vevo pays.

    Vevo vs. YouTube: common questions

    Should I put my music video on Vevo or just upload to YouTube?

    If you want to earn from your first view, get an official artist channel, and reach beyond YouTube, Vevo is the stronger choice — and you don't need to qualify for the Partner Program. A direct YouTube upload is simpler but caps you at YouTube and requires hitting monetization thresholds before you earn.

    Does my Vevo video still appear on YouTube?

    Yes. Vevo distributes to YouTube as part of its network, so your video reaches YouTube's audience on your official channel — plus the other platforms Vevo serves.

    Is Vevo better than YouTube for new artists?

    For monetization, often yes: new artists frequently can't meet YouTube's Partner Program requirements, while Vevo through Mission Control lets you earn from view one with no subscriber minimum.

    Launch your videos on Vevo

    Ready to start? Get a Vevo channel or explore the Artists plan.

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