YouTube Unveils Major Updates: Larger Thumbnails, Shopping Features, and Creator Tools

• YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced significant platform updates for creators, monetization, and user experience.
• Thumbnail file size increased to 50MB, with expanded localized thumbnail options for regional audiences.
• Shopping Affiliate program access widened, and YouTube Creator Partnerships launched for streamlined brand collaborations.
• Effect Maker access expanded, integrating with Veo 3, and NanoBanana added to YouTube Create app for enhanced creative tools.
• New Shorts grid layout, gifting features (Gifts and Jewels) for live streams, and likeness detection for public figures rolled out.