Back in 2012, YouTube enabled anyone to enable monetization on their videos. Thus, you became a YouTube Partner. These aren't full partners, though the deferences are very slim now-a-days. A full partner is someone who is partnered with a network.
Back in the day, Full partners got custom thumbnails, banners above their channel, a banner that showed on the video page, etc. Now you don't need to be a full partner to get custom thumbnails, just enable monetization. Banners above channels, and on video pages no longer exists.. so what seperates half and full partners, you may ask?
Being with a network now protects you against click bombing (if you were to get botted), they provide audio libraries for you to use, licenses for different things like games, forums to promote your videos, meet new youtubers, seek advice, collab, etc., they might provide different events where you can earn more cash, they have higher paying ads so therefor you make more money, and maybe some other resources. Not being with a network doesn't give you any of those. You just make money from your videos.
Partnering with a network should be something you do research on, and think it through before accepting the contract. AND PLEASE, read the contract. So many people sign it without reading, and then complain when something isn't exactly what they wanted.
