If you’re looking to monetize your YouTube channel, there are several ways to do it. From joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) to running ads on your videos, the opportunities are endless.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular ways to monetize your YouTube channel, including the pros and cons of each method, and tips to help you succeed.
What is YouTube monetization?
In simple terms, YouTube monetization is the ability to earn money from your videos on YouTube. To do this, you need to meet certain requirements and join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
According to YouTube, to qualify for monetization, you must have:
- 4,000 watch hours over the last 12 months
- at least 1,000 subscribers on your channel
To meet these requirements, you need to create quality content and promote your channel to grow your views and subscribers.
There are also other requirements to set up and monetize your channel, but these are the basic eligibility requirements.
Once you meet these requirements, you can start making money from your YouTube channel by showing ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, product sales, and membership program.
YouTube Monetization Marketing Strategies
YouTube monetization is the process of earning money from your YouTube videos and channel. There are several ways to monetize your YouTube channel, including:
1. AdSense: YouTube will place ads on your videos, and you’ll earn money from ad revenue.
2. Sponsored content: You can work with brands to create sponsored content for your channel. You’ll be paid for creating and promoting the content.
3. Affiliate marketing: You can include affiliate links in your videos or in the description of your videos. When someone clicks on these links and makes a purchase, you’ll earn a commission.
4. Product sales: If you have a product or service, you can promote it on your YouTube channel and direct your viewers to your website to make a purchase.
5. Membership program: You can create a membership program where your fans pay a monthly fee to access exclusive content or perks.
By monetizing your YouTube channel, you can earn money while doing something you enjoy. Remember that it takes time and effort to monetize your channel, so be patient and consistent in creating content.
YouTube monetization rules and requirements
Monetizing your YouTube channel is an exciting opportunity, but it does come with some conditions. The requirements to monetize your channel may not be extensive, but the benefits are well worth it.
When you join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), the key factor that determines how much money you can make is the performance of your videos. The more views your videos get, the more money you can earn.
Let’s expand on two critical steps in YouTube’s channel monetization policies. We’ve touched upon some of these concepts earlier.
1. Applying to The YPP (YouTube Partner Program)
When you apply to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), YouTube will take some time to review your application.
The process usually takes around a month, but it could take longer. During this process, YouTube will check several criteria to ensure that your channel is eligible for monetization.
Content Criteria: Main Theme
One of the first criteria YouTube will check is the main theme of your channel. They will want to see that your content is consistent and aligns with their guidelines.
They will also review your most viewed videos, newest videos, and the biggest proportion of watch time. This is to ensure that your channel is active and has a good engagement.
Content Criteria: Video Metadata
Another important criteria that YouTube will check is the video metadata. This includes the titles, thumbnails, and descriptions of your videos.
YouTube will want to see that your videos are well-organized, easy to find, and that the titles, thumbnails, and descriptions accurately describe the content of the video.
YouTube wants to ensure that your channel is in compliance with their guidelines and providing a good user experience for the viewers.
They will check these criteria to make sure that you are a good fit for the YouTube Partner Program and that you will be able to monetize your channel successfully.
The first step to monetize your YouTube channel is to apply to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
Requirements
To be eligible for the YPP, your channel must meet the following minimum requirements:
- You have at least 1,000 subscribers
- You have at least 4,000 valid public watch hours over the last 12 months
- You live in a country where the YouTube Partner Program is available
- You have an AdSense account linked to your YouTube channel
- Your channel does not have any active Community Guidelines strikes
- You follow all YouTube channel monetization policies
- You must use 2-Step Verification on the Google Account associated with your YouTube channel for an extra layer of security
Meeting these requirements is a must to be accepted to the YPP, so make sure your channel is compliant before you apply. This will help ensure that your application is accepted and you can start monetizing your channel.
2. Avoiding Copyright and Monetization Mistakes on YouTube
It is important to only upload videos that you have created or have permission to use. Copyright also includes audio and music tracks, videos created by others, and other copyrighted works.
Violations of copyright policies can result in severe consequences such as:
- Termination or suspension of your account
- Removal of all advertisements from your videos
- Suspension from the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
It’s crucial to understand and respect copyright laws when creating and uploading content on YouTube. Not following the copyright policies can lead to severe consequences for your channel and your business.
YouTube Features to Monetize Your Account!
1. YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is a subscription service that offers users ad-free content, the ability to download videos, background playback and more.
This subscription service might raise questions about how it affects monetization for creators. Will creators still get paid for monetizing their videos via ads if YouTube Premium members watch their videos? The answer is yes.
How Does it Work?
YouTube ensures that creators get paid for their content even if it is watched by YouTube Premium members.
According to YouTube, subscription revenue payments are distributed to creators at the start of each month, just like ad revenue payments. The amount paid to creators will depend on how much Premium members watch their videos.
So, creators can continue to monetize their videos via ads and still get paid for their content, regardless of whether it’s being watched by YouTube Premium members or not.
2. YouTube Shorts
In May 2021, YouTube announced a $100 million fund that is exclusively for Shorts creators. This fund will be distributed to YouTube Shorts creators over the course of 2021-2022 on a monthly basis.
This means that every month, creators can earn anywhere from $100 to $10,000 depending on the engagement and views on their Shorts videos.
The eligibility for the fund refreshes every month, so even if a creator doesn’t qualify one month, they may qualify the next.
One of the best part of this fund is that creators don’t need to be part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) to receive it, so it’s a great opportunity for creators who don’t meet the requirements of the YPP program.
However, creators still need to meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for the YouTube Shorts Bonus Fund.
3. YouTube Channel Membership
YouTube channel memberships are a way for creators to offer exclusive perks to viewers in exchange for a monthly subscription.
These perks can include discounts on products, access to live chats, or exclusive videos. The creator sets the fee for the membership and channels must have at least 1,000 subscribers to enable this feature.
This is a great way for creators to earn additional income and build a loyal community around their channel.