YouTube has started a new tool for brand ads called YouTube Creator Partnerships. It was announced on March 23, 2026, at the 2026 YouTube NewFronts. This tool is the new name for BrandConnect. It works inside YouTube Studio for creators and inside Google Ads and Display & Video 360 for companies. In simple words, YouTube is making one home where companies and video creators can find each other and work together more easily. (blog.youtube)
One big point is AI. YouTube says Creator Partnerships uses Gemini to help companies find the right creators. Brands can search from more than 3 million creators in the YouTube Partner Program. Creators can also choose to share channel insights, such as audience data and channel numbers, in YouTube Studio. This setting is controlled by the creator, and it can be turned on or off. YouTube says creators who shared these insights appeared 60% more in search results on average. (blog.youtube)
YouTube is also trying to make creator ads bigger and stronger. Companies can use “creator partnerships boost,” the new name for Partnership ads, to turn a creator’s video into an ad on Shorts and in-stream video campaigns. YouTube says 40% of a video’s views happen more than one month after upload, so one good video can keep helping a brand for a long time. (blog.youtube)
Why does this matter? Many people trust creators more than normal ads. YouTube says 78% of viewers think YouTube has the most trusted creators for product recommendations. It also says 76% of surveyed U.S. users choose YouTube because they can watch both short and long videos there. For companies, this means a more natural way to talk to people. For creators, it may mean more chances to earn money from their ideas and their fans. (blog.youtube)










