Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsYouTube Creator Awards recognize channels that reach subscriber milestones, but a milestone alone does not guarantee a Play Button. YouTube reviews the channel against its activity, policy, account-status, and originality criteria and awards plaques at its discretion. If you have crossed a milestone, check your channel with YouTube’s official Creator Awards eligibility checker; eligible creators receive a code to redeem online.
YouTube Creator Award milestones
YouTube’s current Help Center guidance, accessed in 2026, lists four Creator Award milestones. The award tier corresponds to the subscriber count; eligibility review is a separate decision.
| 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 |
The thresholds are program rules, not a promise that every channel reaching them will receive an award. YouTube says awards are given at its discretion after a channel review. You do not need to be a YouTube Partner Program (YPP) member to qualify.
Who is eligible for a Play Button?
YouTube’s published criteria and guidelines include the following. Meeting them does not guarantee approval: YouTube reviews channels individually.
#1 Best Overall
- Your channel has reached one of the four award milestones.
- The channel is active, with uploads within the previous six months.
- It has no active Community Guidelines violation and no such violation within the previous 365 days.
- It has no active copyright strikes or violations and follows YouTube’s Terms of Service.
- It has not been rejected or suspended from YPP, and it is not a terminated channel or linked to a terminated account.
- Its content is not deceptive, spammy, or scam-related.
- Its main content is original. Channels centered on compilations, mixes, curation, or substantial use of other people’s copyrighted content or characters may be ineligible.
These are YouTube’s published criteria, not a checklist that overrides its discretionary review. Read the current Creator Awards eligibility guidance before relying on any older summary.
How to get and redeem a YouTube Play Button
- Reach a milestone and keep the channel eligible. Check the award criteria above while continuing to follow YouTube’s policies.
- Wait for the review. YouTube reviews the channel after the milestone. If you crossed it within the last week, YouTube’s FAQ says the review may take up to 10 days.
- Look for the redemption notification. YouTube may send an email or show a banner in YouTube Studio when redemption is available.
- Retrieve the code. Follow the notification to get the redemption code. If you dismissed the notification or misplaced the code, use the interactive eligibility check on the official Creator Awards page.
- Redeem the award. Enter the code on YouTube’s Creator Awards redemption website, provide shipping information, choose how the channel name should appear, and place the order.
- Prepare for delivery. Use your full legal name for shipping. Watch for the carrier’s tracking email and respond if it asks for more information. YouTube estimates delivery at about two to three weeks after redemption.
Shipping, taxes, and regional availability
Some recipients may be asked for additional customs information, and some shipments may incur duties or taxes. YouTube’s guidance identifies these as separate country lists:
Rank #2
- Commemorative Award: This plaque celebrates the milestone of reaching 1 subscriber on YouTube.
- Unique Design: The plaque features the iconic YouTube play button logo and a customised inscription.
- Durable Construction: Made from high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting durability.
- Compact Size: Suitable for displaying on a desk, shelf, or wall.
- Motivational Keepsake: Serves as a reminder of your YouTube journey and encourages further growth.
- Possible additional information, such as a tax ID: Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, and Vietnam.
- Possible customs duties or taxes: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Uzbekistan.
These lists describe different requirements; one should not be inferred from the other. Check the current Creator Awards FAQ and local customs requirements for your destination.
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 verify the current country guidance before proceeding.
Rank #3
- Commemorative Award: This plaque celebrates the milestone of reaching any number of subscribers on YouTube.
- Unique Design: The plaque features the iconic YouTube play button logo and a customised inscription.
- Durable Construction: Made from high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting durability.
- Compact Size: Suitable for displaying on a desk, shelf, or wall.
- Motivational Keepsake: Serves as a reminder of your YouTube journey and encourages further growth.
Special cases and award rules
Official Artist Channels
Official Artist Channels can receive Creator Awards if they reach a milestone and meet the same eligibility requirements. YouTube’s FAQ says an artist receives one complimentary award per milestone. A related auto-generated topic channel or partner-provided channel that already received an award does not get another after its subscriber count merges into the Official Artist Channel.
Different award size
YouTube introduced a smaller, lighter award in August 2024 and says its quality and design remained the same. The former size was discontinued for complimentary redemptions and purchases. YouTube’s FAQ describes a process for requesting additional purchases.
Rank #4
- Commemorative Award: This plaque celebrates the milestone of reaching any number of subscribers on YouTube.
- Unique Design: The plaque features the iconic YouTube play button logo and a customised inscription.
- Durable Construction: Made from high-quality materials to ensure long-lasting durability.
- Compact Size: Suitable for displaying on a desk, shelf, or wall.
- Motivational Keepsake: Serves as a reminder of your YouTube journey and encourages further growth.
Personal use
Creator Awards are for personal use. YouTube says they may not be sold or distributed outside the channel team. Violations can lead to forfeiture, future award ineligibility, or possible termination of a YouTube or Google account. An unofficial replica is not an official YouTube-issued award.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why haven’t I received an award notification?
Crossing the subscriber threshold does not trigger an automatic award shipment. YouTube first reviews the channel, and its FAQ says that review may take up to 10 days when the milestone was reached within the last week. Check your email and YouTube Studio for a redemption notification; if one is missing, use the official eligibility checker to see whether the channel qualifies or retrieve a code.
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A 24/7 prerecorded YouTube livestream is not a Creator Award requirement and does not replace YouTube’s originality or policy review. If you separately want uploaded videos to loop as a YouTube livestream, StreamNeo runs that stream from the cloud: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It keeps running without a home computer and can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. Videos stream as uploaded up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot; the first day is free with no card. Try StreamNeo by starting a free day.
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