Getting monetized on YouTube is a goal every creator wants to reach. It helps them start side hustles,

, or create a business selling products in physical stores. These days, the possibilities are endless!

But with so many options, how do you monetize YouTube videos in a sustainable, long-term way? 

There are several ways to do it, from joining the "standard" program that pays advertising revenue to making money through sponsorships. Let’s start with a beginner's guide on the basics of YouTube monetization.

The most common way to monetize your videos is by enrolling in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which provides access to varied revenue streams including ads, fan funding, and sponsorships. Reaching partner status is an upgrade for your channel, as it helps you monetize your community, and, if you reach certain milestones, make money from video advertisements.

YouTube compensates creators via the Google AdSense program; understanding its mechanics is crucial for optimizing your earnings. For now, know that when a viewer watches/clicks an ad within your video, 

. That revenue is then split between you and YouTube, where you get 55% of the money, and YouTube takes the other 45%.

Before you can join the YPP, you need to accomplish a few milestones first.

, and more, here are the minimum requirements to join the YPP:

3,000 public watch hours in the previous 12 months 

 3 million public YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days.

YouTube Relaxes its Monetization Rules: Only 500 Subscribers Needed!

Minimum requirements for fan funding through the YouTube Partner Program

, you must meet the following requirements:

4,000 hours of public watch time within a 12-month period 

 10 million public YouTube Shorts views within a 90-day period.

graphic of how to get monetized on YouTube 

The good news is that once accepted into the YPP, you can continuously monetize your content without the need for reapplication after meeting new thresholds. Even if you entered the program with 500 subs and 3,000 watch hours, you don't need re-apply after hitting 4,000 hours and 1,000 subs. You'll simply unlock the revenue tools you didn't have before.

Once you’ve met all of YouTube’s requirements, you’re ready to apply to the YPP! You'll do this on the YouTube Studio's "earn' page, which also tracks how much watch time you have and how many subscribers you've gained. Simply apply on this page when YouTube gives you the green light.

YouTube's earn page that tracks watch time and subscribers

If you're unsure how to locate this feature in YouTube Studio, simply head to the 'earn' tab for detailed monetization metrics. 

If you apply and are rejected for the first time, you’ll have 21 days to appeal the decision. Then you'll have to wait another 30 days before re-applying.

If you’re rejected a second time, you’ll still have 21 days to appeal, but you can only re-apply after 90 days.

While this may seem harsh, it’s a balanced approach because YouTube is prioritizing new applicants over repeat ones. Use the time to fix anything unsavory on your channel, such as multiple 

 or videos that violate YouTube’s Community Guidelines.

 for as many videos as possible. You can do this while uploading new content, but it’s safer to wait until 

 you upload videos (at least a few hours). 

By then, YouTube will have processed your content. You’ll know if the system found something that could demonetize the video, such as 

Follow these steps to enable ads on your YouTube videos and boost your revenue:

Choose which ads you want to display on the video.

Keep in mind that even after monetization, not every video will display ads, especially if the content doesn’t meet advertiser-friendly standards. The best way to fully monetize a video (and keep it that way) is to create content in the PG to PG-13 range.

Understanding YouTube Monetization Metrics

Grasping YouTube monetization metrics is essential for creators looking to optimize their revenue streams. Key performance indicators include CPM (cost per mille) and RPM (revenue per mille), which help determine how much income is generated per 1,000 views. While CPM measures the advertiser's payment rate, RPM offers a clearer picture of what you actually take home after YouTube’s revenue share. Other critical metrics include watch time, audience retention, and the percentage of monetized views. 

High engagement not only boosts overall channel performance but also attracts higher-paying advertisers, especially if your audience comes from regions with strong economies. Metrics like click-through rates on ads, viewer demographics, and the time of year can further impact your earnings. Monitoring these numbers in YouTube Analytics allows creators to identify trends and adjust content strategies accordingly. By understanding these metrics, you can pinpoint what types of content perform best, optimize ad placements, and experiment with different video formats to maximize revenue. 

Ultimately, a data-driven approach will help you align your creative efforts with monetization goals, ensuring that every view contributes effectively to your income.

YouTube AdSense is beneficial, but it’s not a reliable form of income for creators. Advertisement rates go up and down, so it’s hard to make the same amount of money each year with video ads.

. CPM (cost per mille) refers to the amount of money advertisers pay per 1,000 video views on YouTube. The rates vary depending on your channel’s niche, audience demographics, and more.

This table compares YouTube monetization methods, outlining the requirements and revenue potential for each.

Want to earn a stable income on YouTube? Here are additional ways to make money from your videos.

1. YouTube Sponsorship Deals, Brand Deals

With YouTube brand deals, you'll make money by featuring a product or service in your videos. You can work with multiple brands if you want, which leads to more money for your channel and less stress about earning AdSense revenue.

Unlike the YPP, you don’t need 1,000 subscribers and lots of watch time to profit from these deals. Having more subscribers is helpful, of course. But consistent views and an impressive collection of videos are more important. You’re ready to seek out YouTube sponsorships once you have both.

11 Companies Matching YouTubers with Amazing Brand Deals

. So don’t worry about channel size when looking for sponsors. There are brand deals for small channels, mid-sized channels, and mega influencers who dominate YouTube. Everyone has a chance.

When you’re ready to dive in, read this post about 

Did you know you can make money advertising product links on YouTube? It’s called affiliate marketing, and it's an easy revenue stream to set up.

Sign up for various affiliate programs with different brands/companies.

Get custom product links to share with your YouTube audience.

Earn a commission when viewers buy stuff using your link.

how to do affiliate marketing on YouTube.

 For beginners, we recommend signing up for the 

 program. You’ll get access to hundreds of custom links for everyday products, and adding those affiliate links to YouTube videos (in the description section) will help you earn commissions.

Always add relevant affiliate links to your videos

. If you do a tutorial for a GoPro camera (for example), ask viewers to use your affiliate link when purchasing the product.

According to Amazon, affiliate commissions are up to 10% of each product sale. So if you spend some time promoting the links, you’ll make a nice chunk of money.

With 500 subscribers and 3000 hours of watch time, creators can unlock this feature and monetize directly from their audience through three main avenues:

 offer exclusive perks such as loyalty badges, custom emojis, and private live streams, generating a steady income from your most dedicated fans, offering a customizable way to earn money on YouTube. Prices for memberships can range from $0.99 to $100 per month.

Read this post to learn more about Channel Memberships and how to qualify for them.

are another way to monetize YouTube live streams. These are “donations” or “tips” ranging from $1 to $500 that viewers send creators during a live stream.

You’re in an excellent position to receive Super Chats if:

1. You’re a funny or entertaining person.

2. You host live streams on YouTube regularly.

3. You have hardcore fans who are vocal in the live chat section (where Super Chats are donated).

For example, Travis McPherson, vidIQ’s customer success manager, once 

 from a live stream with just a modest audience that only had 150 viewers.

 feature allows viewers to buy digital goods like stickers to show appreciation for your content. Promoting this feature in your videos can encourage more use of Super Thanks.

How to enable Super Thanks on your channel?

Creators across all genres received some 

 news late last year. As of February 2023, the YouTube Shorts fund is officially gone! Shorts creators can now sign up for YouTube's Partner Program and start making money from ad revenue. All you need is:

1,000 subscribers and 10 million eligible public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours on long-form videos.

Let's go through the revenue-sharing model for YouTube Shorts. First, this new approach splits advertising revenue in three directions: between creators, music publishers, and YouTube itself. Money is pooled, calculated, and distributed as shown:

Overall, Shorts monetization for creators is based on the number of views they got, their location, and the music tracks they used.

66% of the revenue goes to music publishers and 33% to the creator.

 For one music track, it's a 50/50 split. 

If no music is used, the creator keeps all their revenue. Creators generally retain 45% of their share from the creator pool after accounting for music usage.

 when you want to become a serious creator. 

But one day, you may want to monetize outside of the platform. 

Here are seven lucrative ways to make money beyond YouTube.

A phone surrounded by money and showing the Youtube logo 

Smartphone displaying YouTube logo on screen over scattered hundred dollar bills background

Learn how to get monetized on YouTube quickly. This comprehensive guide covers YPP requirements, ad revenue, and sponsorship tips for creators.

How to Get Monetized on YouTube

Are you looking for Black Friday deals this week? As a content creator, this is a great time to look at your production equipment and see if anything needs upgrading. For example, it might be time to invest in a DSLR camera if you started your YouTube channel with a smartphone. Or maybe your microphone is a bit old and worn out!

No matter where you're starting from, one thing is true: 

Some YouTube equipment is more critical than others.

 Small creators can drastically improve their videos with better audio, lighting, and visuals before most other upgrades. 

Even still, you probably don't want to pay $1,000 for a camera that was marked down from $1,200. So, here's the best YouTube equipment available at an affordable price!

Looking for the best camera under $500? These four entry-level options will upgrade your videos by leaps and bounds! On the list, we have DSLR cameras, point-and-shoot options, and even action cams.

The Lumix G7 has everything you need to create aesthetically pleasing videos. It offers 4K recording, at 30 fps, with a maximum focal length of 84mm. If you have to film in various conditions, you'll also love the weather-resistant design. With a 3D Lens with a 16 micro four-thirds system, you'll never miss a shot in action! Overall, the Lumix G7 is a point-and-shoot camera that goes above and beyond.

Featuring a powerful 24.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor, this DSLR delivers sharp, vibrant photos and Full HD videos. Its 18-55mm lens offers versatility for everyday shooting, while built-in Wi-Fi makes sharing your creations seamless. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts, the Rebel T7 combines quality, ease of use, and connectivity in one sleek package.

Action cameras pack a lot of power in a small package, and the Osmo Action 4 is no different. You get 4K video recording, a waterproof design, and a vivid touch screen for previewing your content. The camera also comes with RockSteady stabilization. Whether you're mountain biking, skateboarding, or capturing any high-movement activity, the footage looks incredibly smooth.

The GoPro HERO13 is an action camera with 5K recording and 27-megapixel resolution. It's famously small, a huge advantage for vloggers, sports enthusiasts, or anyone who needs light-weight equipment. And, if you're into water sports, the Hero12 has you covered with waterproofing technology. The camera also has HyperSmooth stabilization to smooth out bumpy rides on motorcycles, ATVs, and other wheeled vehicles.

Black Friday Microphone Deals (Under $250)

The best microphone for YouTube is one that fits your budget and produces clear audio. Start your search here with our list of Black Friday deals on microphones.

Looking for a quality microphone that fits a tighter budget? The Blue Snowball matches that description, especially for the current sale price of $39! But don't be fooled by its affordability; this is a plug-and-play mic that doesn't compromise on sound. The Blue Snowball is incredibly user-friendly, and you can use it for voiceovers, livestreaming, or basic music recordings.

This microphone is a favorite among content creators for its crisp sound quality and ease of use. It's a USB microphone that plugs right into your computer, which is pretty convenient. Best of all, Blue Yeti has several recording options, including cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. This means you can record just about anything, from solo podcasts to interviews, music, or even a roundtable discussion. Overall, the Blue Yeti is one of the best USB mics on the market.

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, and Mac, the HyperX Quad Cast features four selectable polar patterns for versatile recording, an anti-vibration shock mount, and an internal pop filter for crystal-clear audio. With built-in gain control, a stunning red LED indicator, and seamless performance on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Discord, the QuadCast elevates your voice to the next level.

The Shure MV88+ Video Kit is your ticket to quality sound, all for under $300. It features a smartphone condenser microphone, which works for Apple and Android users. The full kit includes a Manfrotto PIXI tripod, a clamp for your phone, a mount, plus iOS and USB-C cables. This is the perfect solution for hands-free recording!

What's the best lighting for YouTube videos? If you're on a budget, these four options will upgrade your visuals significantly!

The cheapest light source on our list, the Godox M1 is a compact LED panel. It features RGB color options, allowing you to choose from a spectrum of colors to set the perfect mood for your videos. The M1 also has multiple lighting modes, including standard bi-color options, such as red-green and yellow-green.

The Panel Go has a slim, lightweight design that fits into almost any camera bag. But what makes this panel stand out is the ability to adjust color temperature and brightness. With those features, you can easily tweak the lighting to match your environment. Additionally, the Panel GO comes with a built-in battery, which is rechargeable via USB-C.

The BOLING Pocket LED is an excellent pick, especially if you want to light your videos for less than $100. Like other options on the list, it offers a full spectrum of colors, the ability to adjust color temperature, and a few brightness options. But this light stands out because it's specifically for 

 and has a 360-degree mount for that purpose.

We hope you found something on this list to enhance the visuals, audio, or lighting of your YouTube videos. After all, the more quality you put into your content, the more views you'll see in return!



Speaking of views, here's how to go insanely viral at the end of the year!

Cameras, lenses, and more equipment on a table

DSLR camera with lens and photography accessories on a flat surface in black and white.

Did you know there are tons of Black Friday deals for content creators? Here are the best YouTube cameras, mics, and lighting for a discount!

11 Pieces of YouTube Equipment on Sale for Black Friday

YouTube Shorts are opening new doors for content discovery and driving viewer engagement in ways that are reshaping the YouTube game. And as these vertical videos continue to be pushed to the forefront, creators have a unique opportunity to ride the wave and grow their channels.

 but the challenging part is keeping the momentum going. And with many updates over the years, you may have to think differently about how you create Shorts. 

Shorts are appearing in search results, so you should absolutely create them.

If you focus on making unique Shorts that go viral, subscribers will find you eventually.

Every Short needs a pinned comment that recommends 

Musical Shorts may contain trends or dance challenges, so research those topics before you press record.

Now that you have some background knowledge, here are four tips to grow your channel with YouTube Shorts.

1. YouTube Shorts are More Discoverable; Don’t Hesitate to Post Them!

Getting discovered with YouTube Shorts is a sound strategy, especially as search-based Shorts are getting more views. That means you should absolutely start posting them to 

How Viewers ‘Search’ for YouTube Shorts

Viewers can find your Shorts via YouTube search just like traditional, topic-based videos. Want to learn how? Follow these steps:

Open YouTube on your desktop or mobile app.

Next to your profile icon, click the magnifying glass at the top right corner of the screen.

Type your desired keywords into the search bar and tap the appropriate result when it pops up.

Scroll down past the first few results — the regular, horizontal videos — until you see the Shorts shelf. Here you'll find Shorts related to your search term.

When we search for vidIQ, a shelf filled with 

 called "Latest Shorts from vidIQ" appears in the results. This may contain Shorts we’ve posted as well as those from other creators who talk about vidIQ. So just by posting Shorts, you've created one more way for viewers to 

If you're on the mobile app, you can also simply click the Shorts icon at the bottom and watch a stream of endless Shorts!

What About Topic-Based Searches for YouTube Shorts on Google?

If you're a long-form creator making search-based videos, you know the struggle of trying to rank for a search term, especially a popular one. It's a popular strategy, but long-form videos are almost oversaturated with it.

With the rise of search-based Shorts, you can find new ways to dominate a search term. That’s because although long-form videos show up on Google search pages, there are little to no Shorts. If you’re anything like us, you’d probably want to click on a 40-second Short explaining the search term instead of an 8-minute “how to” tutorial.

YouTube Shorts from Google Search results

For example, do a Google search on "how to make a YouTube Short." You'll notice a Short from vidIQ appears 

which creates more exposure for our channel. So always do 

 so you can make discoverable videos.

Watch Rob explain this in more detail below:

2. Accept That Views, Not Subscribers, Are the Immediate Benefit of Creating Shorts

If you’ve struggled to gain subscribers from Shorts, that might intensify in the future. YouTube made some layout changes to the Shorts player, and the subscribe button is less prominent than it used to be.

In the old layout, the subscribe button was red and higher up on the player. Now the button is gray and very close to the bottom of the screen.

It seems like YouTube wants to take the emphasis off of subscribers, at least for Shorts. We’re not sure why. What we do know is that views, not subscribers, have always been the biggest reward for posting Shorts. Some creators get millions of subscribers, but that’s usually because they’re posting unique content that’s hard to duplicate — like 

Jake Fellman’s animated Among Us Shorts

. Those videos attract millions of subscribers.

For now, create the best Shorts you can possibly make. Make them so entertaining that people deliberately search for the subscribe button, even if it’s harder to see.

18 Viral Video Hooks for YouTube Shorts [Proven Hacks]

3. Use Pinned Comments to Drive Viewers From a Short to Additional Content

Shorts are similar to TikTok videos; viewers watch them quickly, swipe to the next video, and repeat the process as they cycle through content. It’s hard to get people to slow down, but when they do, you should give them something to look at.

The comment section is a good place to do this. Because subscribers are harder to gain with Shorts, you should 

make sure each video has a pinned comment.

 You can highlight additional content — a playlist, a Short that serves as a part two, whatever you like — and encourage people to explore your channel. If people like what they see, they may hit subscribe.

The pinned comment is your best tool because Shorts don’t have info cards or end screens for suggesting content. Even the video description is hidden behind a two-tap journey.

4. Do Some Research to Make Unique, Music-Driven Shorts

 That’s what’s been happening on TikTok and even older platforms like Triller and the unforgettable sensation that was Vine.

Now YouTube wants to create the same appeal on its mobile app. On March 18, 2021, the platform unveiled a feature for 

, and it's been working great. The best part? You won’t be penalized for violating copyright rules.

Not to mention, YouTube is one of the biggest platforms for music listeners and is preferred by many. If you can add music with a high search volume or something that's trending online, your Short might get recommended when people search for the song!

Recommended shorts with song search on YouTube

With more creators using music, it's easy to find out which songs appear in certain videos. Then you can 

 after seeing what others posted, hopefully making your content stand out.

To start researching, look for the icon below. If you see it, that means the creator added a song from the Shorts camera tool.

Tap the icon to see more Shorts using that song. This is where your research will really take off as you discover how the song is being used, if there’s a challenge associated with it, and more. At the top of the page, you can also see the original YouTube video for the song.

YouTube Shorts Are Getting Longer: Is This an Opportunity or a Problem?

Starting October 15th, YouTube will classify any vertical or square videos up to 3 minutes in length as YouTube Shorts. This is a significant shift from the current format, which only allows Shorts to be a maximum of 60 seconds. Watch Rob explain this update in detail below:

There are some challenges to consider with this update. Here's a concise version of what to expect:

 Longer Shorts might not display correctly on your channel at first, and YouTube has acknowledged that traffic sources could be inconsistent for a while.

 Shorts over 60 seconds containing copyrighted material will be automatically blocked, a tougher policy compared to the previous claim system.

 While longer Shorts offer more content space, they won’t count towards the watch time needed for monetization. Creators still need 10 million views from Shorts to qualify.

While these changes might not seem as amazing for new creators, this format might open up a pool of audience that could gravitate towards it. It marks a significant shift in the platform's strategy, and while it may seem daunting, there are ways for aspiring creators to navigate these updates successfully. 

By understanding the new guidelines and preparing for potential challenges, creators can continue to grow their channels while delivering quality content that resonates with audiences. How. you ask? Well, here's a 

90-day plan to get you started on your way to 10 million YouTube Shorts views!

Yellow play button icon with vidIQ logo surrounded by cameras, film strip, and plants.

YouTube Shorts are more popular than ever, and now you can use them to grow your channel in exciting ways. Learn how below!

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

What does every YouTuber want? You'll hear a lot of responses to this question, but one sticks out more than the others:

Well, this week we're celebrating 10 creators who did just that! These talented individuals are in the vidIQ community, and they used a healthy dose of imagination, skill, and consistency to grow their channels fast.

As always, we define the vidIQ community as anyone using our growth tools to reach YouTube success. So if you've 

 to optimize your videos, find keywords, or even get video ideas, this roundup is for you. We're celebrating 

Top Channels Passing 100,000 Subscribers in August

Football Diaries makes creative cartoons of popular football players.

 makes exciting videos on cars and car modifications.

 makes entertaining videos over mobile gameplay.

 makes humorous reaction videos and gameplay live streams.

 makes your day a little better with relaxing and calming Shorts.

 is a Spanish creator who makes original videos based on Roblox characters.

 streams video games and humorous Shorts.

 creates engaging Shorts based on Minecraft characters.

 makes unique Shorts about tractors and off-road vehicles.

does reaction videos and hilarious challenges.

Congrats to everyone who had amazing subscriber growth last month! 🥳 If you want to see your channel grow, don't forget to 

 and get robust tools, data, and video ideas.

A graphic showing the words 100,000 subscribers 

Red badge with white text celebrating 100K subscribers and fireworks on black background

Can you imagine getting 100,000 subscribers in just 30 days? These talented YouTubers did just that, so let's celebrate their success (and gain inspiration)!

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [August]

Getting 10,000 subscribers is difficult, especially when 

 of videos are uploaded daily on YouTube. Nonetheless, several creators — specifically those in the vidIQ community — managed to pull it off in just 30 days! These talented YouTubers used imagination, skill, and a healthy dose of consistency to grow their channels quickly.

Because you've worked so hard and achieved so much, we're here to say it before anyone else: 

Top Channels Passing 10,000 Subscribers in August

 makes entertaining explainer videos featuring an animated cloud as the main character.

 makes video essays on popular creators over original gameplay content.

 makes edited Shorts based on popular anime shows.

 makes fun and engaging Shorts on popular video games.

 does livestreams and live Shorts on popular games.

HRK Studio makes comprehensive video essays on popular YouTube creators.

Can you imagine getting 10,000 subscribers in just 30 days? These talented YouTubers did just that, so let's celebrate their success (and gain inspiration)!

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

How to Get Monetized on YouTube

11 Pieces of YouTube Equipment on Sale for Black Friday

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [August]

6 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [August]

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [August]

3 Types of YouTube Channels that Never Get Monetized

How to Remove YouTube Copyright Claims From Your Videos

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [May]

When to Delete Those Old, Embarrassing Videos on Your YouTube Channel

Outdated YouTube Advice You Should Ignore in 2024

How to Make YouTube Reaction Videos