YouTube, the world's largest video-sharing platform, has become a hub for content creators to showcase their talent and creativity.
One of the most coveted achievements for YouTubers is receiving a YouTube Creator Award, which is the prize you receive from YouTube itself when you reach a certain number of subscribers on your channel following the guidelines of YouTube’s Creator Awards program.
In this article, we'll delve into the history of these prestigious awards, the different types of Play Buttons, and how content creators can earn them.
The history of YouTube play buttons: when did they appear?
YouTube Play Buttons were introduced to recognize and reward content creators for their exceptional contributions to the platform. Launched in 2012, the Play Buttons have since become a symbol of success, with the campaign's debut marking a major milestone in YouTube's history.
The original campaign helped set the stage for creators to achieve eligible milestones and motivated them to produce content that would reach new heights.
The purpose of the Play Buttons campaign was to celebrate creators and encourage them to reach new milestones in both subscriber count and content quality. With the help of the portal system, YouTube was able to track growth and reward those who achieved these remarkable original goals.
It certainly achieved its objective, inspiring many creators, including music channels, to push for greater success and continue engaging with their audience. Now, those eligible for awards are celebrated, and the Play Button remains a coveted recognition in the YouTube community.
Are you passionate about video content? Check our analysis article about TikTok vs YouTube.
The Different YouTube Play Buttons Out There
There are different YouTube Play Buttons out there, each one awarding different “levels” in terms of the number of subscribers reached on your channel.
Let’s check out the different “levels” of the YouTube Play Buttons and how many subscribers you need to reach each of them.
Silver Play Button: 100,000 subscribers
The first Play Button you will be gifted with is the Silver Play Button, awarded to creators who reach a milestone of 100,000 subscribers.
The Silver Play Button features a sleek silver design and is built mostly with nickel among traces of other metals (carbon, zinc, and others).
Gold Play Button: 1 million subscribers
For those who manage to accumulate the staggering number of 1,000,000 subscribers (1 million), the Gold Play Button awaits.
This button, built in brass and plated in brilliant and real gold, represents a monumental achievement in the world of online content creation. It signifies not only popularity but also consistency and dedication.
Diamond Play Button: 10 million subscribers
The Diamond Play Button is a rare and illustrious award presented to creators who amass an astonishing 10,000,000 (10 million) subscribers.
This button is adorned with a diamond-shaped play button made in transparent glass.
Custom Play Button: 50 million subscribers
The Ruby Play Button was formerly awarded to YouTube channels reaching 50 million subscribers. However, at the time of writing this article, it no longer appears in the YouTube FAQ page under the Creator Awards section, which suggests that the button is no longer an active award. The last known instance of it being awarded was in 2021.
The Ruby Play Button did not originally have a name or description when it was first introduced. However, the gamer and YouTuber PewDiePie referred to it as the Ruby Play Button due to the one he received being designed with a Play Button in a ruby-like tone.
It's worth noting that the design and color of each Ruby Play Button varied, making each award unique to the channel receiving it.
While this button no longer exists in its original form, the legacy of the Ruby Play Button remains an iconic part of YouTube's recognition for channels that achieved significant milestones.
Whether through original designs or the portal that once connected creators to their achievements, eligible channels would receive these awards for extraordinary growth in their audience. The music channels, too, would be recognized for their influence, though the format now evolves beyond just this historical piece of YouTube history.
Red Diamond Play Button: 100 million subscribers
The most exclusive of them all, the Red Diamond Play Button, is reserved for the crème de la crème of content creators on YouTube who achieve a remarkable 100,000,000 (100 million) subscribers. It is a symbol of unparalleled success, setting the recipient apart as one of the most influential figures on the platform.
This Play Button features a Play Button made in a dark red crystal made of glass.
At the time of writing this article, only 8 channels have received this award:
Table: the different YouTube Play Button awards
In this table we have introduced the different YouTube Play Button awards with a quick description of each for easy orientation.
| Play Button | Description | Number of Subscribers | Picture |
| Silver | Silver design made on mostly nickel | 100,000 |
 |
| Gold | Golden design built on brass and plated in real gold | 1,000,000 |
 |
| Diamond | Diamond shaped crystal made of glass | 10,000,000 |
 |
| Custom (aka Ruby) | Varies in design and only a few have been awarded. Is not awarded since 2021. | 50,000,000 |
 |
| Red Diamond | Diamond shaped crystal made of dark red glass. | 100,000,000 |
 |
How Does YouTube Grant Play Buttons?
First, you should know that getting a YouTube Play button is not an automatic process that happens after achieving the necessary number of subscribers, but YouTube grants them at its absolute discretion.
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In other words: once you have achieved the necessary number of subscribers, YouTube automatically will review your channel without you having to do anything, to make sure that the growth of your channel has occurred organically and naturally.
According to the words we can read on YouTube's official website regarding Play Buttons, YouTube says:
"Before awarding the prizes, channels must pass a review process. This consists of checking whether creators keep their channels in good standing, have no copyright infringement offenses or Community Guidelines violations, and do not artificially change their number of subscribers, among other criteria."
- Source: YouTube Awards
If they consider that you deserve a Play Button, they will notify you through a message inside YouTube Studio a week after you achieved the needed number of subscribers.
This message will include a redemption code that you will need to introduce on a special page in order to claim your button.
You will need to give YouTube your channel name and the shipping data, and after a few weeks, you will receive the button via post.
Tips to Make a YouTube Channel Grow and Get a YouTube Play Button Award
How to win your first YouTube Play Button award?
So now let’s dive into some tips you can start working on to grow your YouTube channel and hope to earn one (or more) of the famous YouTube Play Buttons.
1. Create Engaging Content
The foundation of gaining subscribers is to produce content that resonates with your target audience. YouTube's audience is strict in terms of video quality, both in editing and content, so high-quality videos, originality, and consistency are key factors in attracting and retaining viewers.
This is true not only for music videos but also for other types of content that could attract an audience. So, all you need is to learn to how to be an influencer.
2. Understand Your Niche
Identify your niche or area of expertise.
Are you passionate about gardening and you think you can offer a ton of knowledge to your audience? Go for it.
Are you a serious gamer that really knows about video games? That’s another option.
Choose niches based on your real expertise rather than the potential audience you want to attract. Focusing on a specific topic or genre that you consider an expert in can help you build a dedicated audience because it will be easier for you to convey useful information without thinking too much or having to do a ton of research on topics you do not feel comfortable in.
Many channels in the music niche have found success by narrowing their focus to specific genres or themes, like classical or indie music.
3. Consistent Upload Schedule
Can you imagine that your favorite series didn’t have a regular schedule for releasing each episode? Same applies for any serious YouTube channel out there. Stick to a regular upload schedule to keep your audience engaged and returning for more content.
4. Interact with Your Audience
YouTube allows you to interact with your audience through the comments section. But there’s more to that: engage with your viewers through the chat when you do live streams and also through your other social media accounts. Building a community around your channel and listening to it fosters loyalty and growth.
5. Collaborate with Other YouTubers
Collaborations can introduce your channel to new audiences. Partnering with other creators can be a powerful way to grow your subscriber base and reach new potential users. A collaboration with another creator in the music or entertainment niche can also drive significant engagement.
6. Promote Your Channel Efficiently
Utilize social media, SEO optimization, and other marketing strategies to increase your channel's visibility. You can learn how to create an influencer marketing strategy and optimize your channel with us. You just need to get your hands on the job.
To sum-up
YouTube Play Buttons are more than just awards; they symbolize the dedication, creativity, and hard work of content creators. As you embark on your YouTube journey, remember that these accolades are attainable with persistence and a commitment to delivering exceptional content, making you eligible for recognition and rewards.
So, start creating, engaging, and building your channel name, and who knows, you might be the next proud recipient of your creator award!
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