Multi-channel network (MCN) operations manual

Link channels to your Content Manager

These features are only available to partners who use YouTube Studio Content Manager.

After you set up your Content Manager, you can link channels to your Content Manager. Once you’ve linked a channel, you can:

  • Control monetization for the videos on that channel.
  • Turn on Content ID matching for videos on that channel.
  • Set permissions for individual channel owners.

Invite a channel to join your Content Manager

Follow the steps below to invite channels to join your Content Manager.

  1. Sign in to Studio Content Manager.
  2. From the left menu, select Channels .
  3. Click INVITE.
  4. Enter the URL or ID of the channel you want to link to your Content Manager. Learn how to find a channel’s ID.
  5. Choose permissions for the channel:
    • View revenue: Allow the linked channel to view their total revenue. 
    • Set match policy: (Some accounts) Allow channel owners to turn on Content ID matching for individual videos.
    • Monetize uploads: Allow the linked channel to control monetization settings for their videos.
  6. Click INVITE.

When the channel owner accepts the invitation, the channel becomes linked to your Content Manager.

You can view pending invitations in the Invited tab on the Channels  page. To cancel a pending invitation, check the box next to the channel and click REVOKE INVITATION.

Eligibility requirements

Not all channels are eligible to be linked to a Content Manager. For example, you can’t link a channel that has been suspended or is linked to a terminated AdSense for YouTube account. If a channel doesn’t meet one or more of the following criteria, you'll see an error message and the invite won't be sent.

To be eligible to link to a Content Manager, a channel can’t:

  • Be linked to another Content Manager.
  • Be on the Content Manager’s allowlist. Remove the channel from the allowlist before linking.
  • Be in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). 
    • If you need to link a channel that’s in the YPP, contact YouTube for help.

Channels in countries/regions where the YouTube Partner Program hasn’t launched can be linked, but aren’t eligible to monetize.

Partners may invite up to 20 channels to their Content Manager per calendar year.

Eligibility requirements for affiliate Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs)

To be eligible to link to an affiliate MCN, a channel can’t:
  • Be linked to another Content Manager.
  • Be on the Content Manager’s allowlist. Remove the channel from the allowlist before linking.
  • Have a pending YouTube Partner Program application. A channel must be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program before they can be linked to an MCN. Channels in countries/regions where the YouTube Partner Program hasn’t launched can't be linked.
By default, affiliate MCNs can invite up to 10 channels every 30 days. If you need to invite channels more frequently, contact your YouTube partner manager.

Eligibility requirements for Player for Publishers (PfP) & YouTube Player Program (YTPP)

PfP/YTPP partners wishing to link an existing YouTube channel to or create a new YouTube channel within their YouTube Content Owner (CO) will need to get Google's prior approval. Partners should get in touch with their Partner Manager to request the addition of a channel to the partner's PfP/YTPP-enabled CO.

For more info, please visit the PfP/YTPP Program Policies page.

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