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To get a YouTube Play Button, reach an award milestone and pass YouTube’s channel review. The thresholds are 100,000 subscribers for Silver, 1 million for Gold, 10 million for Diamond, and 100 million for Red Diamond—but a subscriber count alone does not guarantee an award. If you have crossed a threshold, check your channel with YouTube’s official Creator Awards eligibility checker.
YouTube Play Button milestones
YouTube calls these plaques Creator Awards. The award tier corresponds to a subscriber milestone, but YouTube separately reviews whether the channel qualifies.
| Award | Subscriber milestone |
|---|---|
| Silver Creator Award | 100,000 |
| Gold Creator Award | 1,000,000 |
| Diamond Creator Award | 10,000,000 |
| Red Diamond Creator Award | 100,000,000 |
These are YouTube’s published program thresholds in current Help Center guidance accessed in 2026. Reaching one makes a channel eligible for review; YouTube says awards are given at its discretion.
Who is eligible for a Creator Award?
YouTube’s published criteria include the following. They are a checklist for eligibility, not a promise of approval; YouTube reviews channels individually.
#1 Best Overall
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- The channel has reached one of the four award milestones.
- It is active, with uploads in the previous six months.
- It has no active Community Guidelines violation and no such violation in the previous 365 days.
- It has no active copyright strikes or violations and follows YouTube’s Terms of Service.
- The creator has not been rejected from or suspended from the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
- The channel is not terminated and is not linked to a terminated account.
- Its content is not deceptive, spammy, or scam-oriented.
- Its main content is original. Channels primarily built around compilations, mixes, curation, or heavy use of other people’s copyrighted material or characters may be ineligible.
You do not have to be a YPP member to receive a Creator Award. Official Artist Channels can qualify under the same requirements; YouTube’s FAQ says there is one complimentary award per artist per milestone, so a related auto-generated topic channel or partner-provided channel does not get a second award when counts merge into an Official Artist Channel.
How to claim your YouTube Play Button
- Reach a milestone and keep the channel in good standing. Continue meeting the published eligibility criteria while YouTube reviews the channel.
- Wait for the review and notification. YouTube may notify you by email or show a banner in YouTube Studio when redemption is available. If you crossed the threshold within the last week, YouTube’s FAQ says review may take up to 10 days.
- Retrieve the redemption code. Follow the notification to get the code. If you dismissed it or cannot find it, use the interactive eligibility check on YouTube’s Creator Awards Help page to retrieve it.
- Redeem the award online. Enter the code on the Creator Awards redemption website, submit shipping information, choose how the channel name should appear, and place the order.
- Prepare for delivery. Use your full legal name for shipping and watch for the carrier’s tracking email. YouTube estimates delivery at about two to three weeks after redemption; the actual time can vary.
Shipping, customs, and availability
Some recipients may need to provide extra details for customs. YouTube says recipients in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, and Vietnam may be asked for information such as a tax ID. Separately, its FAQ says customs duties or taxes may be payable in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Uzbekistan. These are distinct location lists; check the instructions shown during redemption and from the carrier.
Rank #2
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- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
YouTube lists Creator Awards as unavailable for channels in Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Yemen. Availability can change, so confirm the current list on the official Help page before relying on it.
Rules for keeping or buying an award
Creator Awards are for personal use. YouTube says recipients may not sell or distribute them outside the channel team; violations can lead to forfeiture, loss of eligibility for future awards, or possible termination of a YouTube or Google account.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
YouTube introduced a lighter, smaller award in August 2024, stating that quality and design remained the same. The previous size was discontinued for complimentary redemptions and purchases. YouTube’s Creator Awards FAQ describes a process for requesting additional purchases. An unofficial marketplace replica is not an official YouTube Creator Award.
Does a 24/7 YouTube channel help you earn a Play Button?
A live stream or steady upload schedule does not replace the subscriber milestone or eligibility review. If you publish long-form programming, however, keeping a pre-recorded YouTube stream running can be one way to maintain channel activity. The usual DIY route is to run streaming software and keep the computer and internet connection on; that is separate from YouTube’s award criteria.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo keeps an uploaded video or playlist live on YouTube from the cloud: upload the video, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on; uploaded quality is streamed as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; and the service automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Creator Award if I am not in the YouTube Partner Program?
Yes. YouTube says YPP membership is not required, though the channel must still meet the award criteria and pass review.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What should I do if I reached the milestone but have not received a notification?
Check the interactive eligibility checker linked from YouTube’s Creator Awards Help page. If you crossed the milestone within the last week, YouTube’s FAQ says review may take up to 10 days.
Quick Recap
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