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[ COMPARE ]

Medium Partner Program vs YouTube Partner Program

Side-by-side comparison of Medium Partner Program and YouTube Partner Program referral programs. Which one earns you more? Here are the facts.

[ HIGHER PAYOUT ]

YouTube Partner Program offers up to 55% revenue share (lifetime).

Medium Partner Program
YouTube Partner Program
CATEGORY
CREATOR
CREATOR
COMMISSION
$0.01-100+ per article (read time)
$1-30 per 1000 views (varies by niche)
MODEL
revenue-share
revenue-share
MAX REV SHARE
55%
PAYOUT
fiat
fiat
MIN PAYOUT
$5
$100
FREQUENCY
MONTHLY
MONTHLY
FIRST PAYOUT
~30d
~30d
COOKIE
LIFETIME
LIFETIME
KYC
YES
YES
GEO BLOCKED
NONE
NONE
RISK
MEDIUM
LOW
RATING
3.4/5 (920)
4.1/5 (3500)
PROGRAM AGE
9y
18y

Medium Partner Program

PROS
  • +Built-in audience discovery
  • +Get paid for writing
  • +No need for own platform
CONS
  • Algorithm changes = volatile income
  • Most articles earn $5-50
  • Need consistent publishing

YouTube Partner Program

PROS
  • +Largest video platform
  • +Multiple revenue streams (ads, memberships, Super Chat, shopping)
  • +Long-form content compounds
CONS
  • 1000 sub + 4000hr threshold
  • Algorithm-dependent
  • Adsense cuts 45% of revenue