DiscoverSponsors vs YouTube Creator Partnerships

YouTube Creator Partnerships is YouTube's own program, known to many creators as BrandConnect. If you are 18 or over, in the YouTube Partner Program with ad revenue sharing, in a supported country and strike-free, brands can find you through advertiser creator search and send inquiries. It costs nothing, but deals come to you only when a brand searches. DiscoverSponsors works the other way round: you see which brands already sponsor channels like yours and pitch them yourself, before or after you join the Partner Program.

The short answer

Join YouTube Creator Partnerships if you are eligible; it is free and brands may find you there. Use DiscoverSponsors to stop waiting: see which brands already pay channels like yours, get their contacts and pitch them yourself, whether or not you are in the Partner Program yet.

YouTube Creator Partnerships details are from support.google.com/youtube, checked October 20, 2026.

Side by side

Built for: DiscoverSponsorsYouTube creators and agenciesYouTube Creator PartnershipsCreators in the YouTube Partner Program
Creator plan: DiscoverSponsorsFrom $9.99/mo (Light); Creator $19.99/mo, or $199/yrYouTube Creator PartnershipsFree, no fee stated
Eligibility: DiscoverSponsorsAny YouTube channelYouTube Creator Partnerships18+, in YPP with ad revenue sharing, supported country, no active strikes
Refunds: DiscoverSponsors14-day money-back guaranteeYouTube Creator PartnershipsNot applicable, free
Free account: DiscoverSponsorsYes, page one of real matchesYouTube Creator PartnershipsYes, for eligible channels
How you get deals: DiscoverSponsorsYou find sponsors and pitch themYouTube Creator PartnershipsBrands find you via advertiser creator search and send inquiries
Who sponsors similar channels: DiscoverSponsorsYes, with the sponsored videosYouTube Creator PartnershipsNo
Brand contacts: DiscoverSponsors10 a month on Creator, 50 on AgencyYouTube Creator PartnershipsNo
Alerts: DiscoverSponsorsYes, new sponsors active in your nicheYouTube Creator PartnershipsInquiries by email or in YouTube Studio
In some countries: DiscoverSponsorsAvailable everywhereYouTube Creator PartnershipsOffline inquiries only, by email or social handles

Feature	DiscoverSponsors	YouTube Creator Partnerships
Built for	YouTube creators and agencies	Creators in the YouTube Partner Program
Creator plan	From $9.99/mo (Light); Creator $19.99/mo, or $199/yr	Free, no fee stated
Eligibility	Any YouTube channel	18+, in YPP with ad revenue sharing, supported country, no active strikes
Refunds	14-day money-back guarantee	Not applicable, free
Free account	Yes, page one of real matches	Yes, for eligible channels
How you get deals	You find sponsors and pitch them	Brands find you via advertiser creator search and send inquiries
Who sponsors similar channels	Yes, with the sponsored videos	No
Brand contacts	10 a month on Creator, 50 on Agency	No
Alerts	Yes, new sponsors active in your niche	Inquiries by email or in YouTube Studio
In some countries	Available everywhere	Offline inquiries only, by email or social handles

Where YouTube Creator Partnerships is stronger

Free and built into YouTube Studio, with no extra tool to learn.
Brands searching inside Google Ads can discover you without any pitching.
Open Call lets Partner Program creators pitch videos to a brand's published brief, for select advertisers so far.

Where DiscoverSponsors is different

Works for any channel, including before you reach the Partner Program.
You see which brands already sponsor channels your size and in your niche, with the sponsored video on every deal.
Brand contacts, pitch drafts sent from your own inbox, and alerts when a new sponsor is active in your niche.
You choose who to approach instead of waiting to be found.

Choose YouTube Creator Partnerships if you are already in the Partner Program and happy to wait for inbound inquiries at no cost.

DiscoverSponsors vs YouTube Creator Partnerships: common questions

Is YouTube BrandConnect the same as Creator Partnerships?

YouTube's help pages now call the program YouTube Creator Partnerships, and its opt-out address still carries the BrandConnect name. Creators meet it in YouTube Studio.

Who can join YouTube Creator Partnerships?

Creators who are at least 18, in the YouTube Partner Program with revenue sharing from ads, based in a supported country and free of active Community Guidelines strikes. DiscoverSponsors has no such requirements.

Does it cost anything?

YouTube's help page lists no fee for creators. DiscoverSponsors starts at $9.99 a month (Light), or $19.99 a month or $199 a year for Creator, with a free account to start.

Do I still need a sponsor tool if I am in the program?

The program only works when a brand searches for you. DiscoverSponsors shows you which brands sponsor channels like yours right now, so you can pitch them instead of waiting.

See your own matches before you decide.

A free account shows page one of the sponsors matched to your channel, with real brands and the sponsored videos behind them. No card needed.

Sources

YouTube Creator Partnerships details as published on its own site on October 20, 2026. Prices and features change; check their site for the current offer.