YouTube, once extending “partnership” status to select video creators, announced this week that it would invite anyone to become a YouTube Partner — as long as they own a computer and have a pulse. Animals are not excluded.

Here’s the news as announced in the YouTube Partner blog:

Whether you’re a novice or a mogul, we’re committed to helping you meet your goals as a YouTube partner…. So starting today, we are updating partner eligibility across 20 countries (listed below) where the YouTube Partner Program has launched. YouTube uploaders in these countries can become YouTube partners by enabling their YouTube accounts, and successfully monetizing at least one of their videos.

Reactions to the news varied. Here’s Ben Hughes saying he’s happy more are allowed, and looking back fondly about how big of a deal it was when he was accepted after a few denials.

I remember being a bit jazzed (as seen in this video that was picked up by some national news). Wifeofnalts was less jazzed.