How to Monetize Your YouTube Channel: Step-by-Step Instructions

2024.08.09

monetize youtube channel

Monetizing on YouTube is a major milestone for any creator, whether you want to pursue a side hustle, a full-time career, or even a business. From ads to affiliate marketing, there are so many ways to make money on YouTube that the possibilities are endless. But how do you do this sustainably? In this guide, we'll cover the basics of monetizing your YouTube channel, including helpful tips, guidelines, and what to do if your application is rejected.

What is YouTube monetization?

YouTube monetization, as the name suggests, is how content creators can earn money from their videos on YouTube. Creators can monetize their YouTube channels in a variety of ways, including ads, channel memberships, Super Chat, and merchandise shelf. However, to start monetizing your YouTube channel, you must be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).

YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

Joining the YouTube Partner Program is a key requirement for all creators on YouTube. Under YPP, creators get the opportunity to monetize their content, receive email and chat support, and access the Copyright Match Tool to help protect their content. So how do you qualify for YPP? One of the main eligibility requirements for YPP is complying with YouTube's monetization policies, including the Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, and Google AdSense Program Policies.

What do I need to do to join YouTube Partner Program(YPP)?

You must comply with the YouTube Channel Monetization Policies and Guidelines and agree to a partnership agreement with YouTube.
You must live in a country or region where YPP is available.
Don't have any active Community Guidelines violations against your channel, as past violations of our Community Guidelines or Guidelines may disqualify you from YPP.
Make sure you have 2-step verification enabled on your Google account.
You must have access to YouTube's advanced features.
You must have an AdSense account linked to your YouTube channel.

YouTube Partner Program (YPP) Eligibility Criteria

After checking all the above points, any channel with short or long YouTube videos can qualify for YPP. Below are the criteria and eligibility requirements to join YPP: If you want to earn money through channel membership, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, and Shopping, the following minimum channel requirements apply:

500 subscribers
3 public uploads in the last 90 days
3,000 public watch hours of long videos in the last 365 days or 3 million public short video views in the last 90 days

If you want to earn money from ads, the following minimum channel requirements apply:

1,000 subscribers
4,000 public watch hours of long-form videos in the last 365 days, or 10 million public short-form video views in the last 90 days

How do I join YPP?

Once you meet all of YouTube's requirements, you can join YPP. To apply for YPP, simply go to YouTube Studio and click Earn.

Here you can see your watch hours and the number of subscribers you've earned. Once you qualify for YPP, you can apply from this page. The good thing is that once you join YPP, even if you have 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours, you don't have to reapply once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. You just unlock revenue tools that were not available to you before.

What to avoid if you want to monetize your YouTube content effectively

1. Controversial or false statements

Be responsible when creating content. Misleading comments just to stir up controversy can be counterproductive.

2. Too much foul language

While a few swear words might be okay, excessive use of profanity can get you a warning.

3. Misleading thumbnails

Always make sure your thumbnail matches the content of your video. For example, if your video is about cleaning sinks, don't use a thumbnail of a cute puppy.

4. Shocking content

Don't include shocking or controversial content in your videos unless there is a good reason to do so. While this is not a contract violation, advertisers prefer to avoid offensive or unnecessarily provocative

Take the survey at Z.com Research

What happens if I get rejected from the YouTube Partner Program?

If your first application is rejected, don't worry. You can appeal the decision within 21 days or reapply after 30 days. If you aren't rejected this time, you can try again after 90 days. The reason for rejection may be that YouTube reviewers found many of your channels not following the rules and guidelines, so before you resubmit, please take the time to go through these guidelines and make sure your content complies with them.

The best ways to monetize your YouTube channel

1. YouTube Ads

The most common way YouTube creators make money on YouTube is through ads. When people see an ad in your video, you earn revenue from it. This ad revenue is shared between YouTube and you, so you benefit directly from your work.

This is the easiest, most convenient and most widely used way to make money on YouTube. You can control the placement of ads through the various YouTube ad formats available. These ads usually appear before or during your video.

2. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another method often used by creators to make money. Simply put, affiliate marketing means promoting other brands' products or services and earning a commission for each successful sale. You don't have to join YPP to do affiliate marketing on YouTube. You can easily add affiliate links to your video descriptions. Here's how to get started:

The first thing you need to do is sign up for an affiliate program, such as the Amazon Associates program. You can earn commission by promoting products from this program.

Then, choose products that you love and make your recommendation look natural by promoting only those products.

The next step is to include links to these products in your video descriptions. Most affiliate programs give you a unique link to use. Mention the product in your video and encourage your viewers to click on the link. By promoting related products in your videos, you can earn a significant amount of money from your YouTube channel.

3. Channel Memberships

Channel memberships allow fans to support creators with a monthly payment and access exclusive perks like badges, custom emojis, and exclusive content. However, this feature is currently only available in select countries.

4. Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks

Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks allow creators to engage with their communities and earn revenue. Fans can purchase and send text or digital sticker messages to accentuate live chat messages and connect with their favorite creators.

5. YouTube Premium

By joining YPP, you'll be eligible to earn YouTube Premium revenue. YouTube Premium allows users to watch videos without ads while supporting creators. When viewers watch your content, you earn a percentage of their subscription fee. Money from YouTube Premium is distributed to creators based on the amount of time they watch their content.

6. YouTube Shorts

Creators can now earn revenue from ads that appear during their Shorts videos. This replaces the YouTube Shorts Fund. To qualify, you need:

1,000 subscribers and 10 million views of public Shorts videos in the last 90 days, or
1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time on long videos.

Here's how Shorts ad revenue split works:

Revenue pool: Ad revenue is collected from the Shorts feed each month to compensate creators and cover music licensing costs.
Creator pool calculation: Revenue is split based on views and music usage. If no music is used in the short film, all revenue from views goes to Creator Pool. If he uses music, the revenue is split between Creator Pool and music partners.
Revenue sharing: Funds in Creator Pool are distributed to creators based on their share of the total views in each country.
Revenue sharing applied: Creators keep 45% of the allocated revenue, regardless of whether they use music or not.

Conclusion

Monetizing your YouTube channel can turn your passion into a profitable business. By following the steps in this guide and taking advantage of different revenue streams, you can earn a regular income. Remember, success on YouTube requires consistency, creativity, and knowledge of the platform's rules.