After years of hard work, nothing comes close to the feeling of 

 It makes the journey a thousand times more meaningful, especially when that labor includes hundreds of videos, thumbnails, and YouTube titles.

If you aren’t monetized yet, can we propose a new year’s resolution? Sharpen your video skills, expedite your path to the YouTube Partner Program, and get paid!

Basic Requirements for Joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP):

The YPP allows creators to monetize their videos with advertisements and fan funding revenue, such as Super Chats and Stickers, Super Thanks, and Channel Memberships. YouTube doesn’t let 

 into the program, so there are plenty of requirements to meet.

To get monetized quickly, you need to focus on two things:

These milestones matter because they represent the various paths into the YPP.

If you want to make money through fan funding, here are the minimum requirements to join the YPP:

3,000 public watch hours in the previous 12 months or 3 million public YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days

If you want to make money with video advertisements, here are the minimum requirements do that:

 of public watch time within a 12-month period or 

youtube requirements ad revenue partner program

Tips for Building 3,000-4,000 Watch Hours

On YouTube, watch time is the cumulative duration that individuals spend watching a video. These hours add up to reflect your channel's overall count, and, consequently, your ability to join the YPP. Here, we’ll explain how to quickly get the 3,000 to 4,000 hours you need.

1. Make Videos with High Watch Time Potential

red youtube themed clock with 9 minutes and 45 seconds displayed

Did you know that some videos get more watch time than others? It’s not that they're special or amazingly different; they’re simply formatted in a way that supports 

10 Types of Videos that Attract More YouTube Watch Time

So, if you’re starting a new YouTube channel, try your hand at these watch time collectors:

 Audio-based content that accumulates high watch time if the topic is engaging.

 Videos that kids watch repeatedly (like nursery rhymes and baby songs), which produce more watch hours.

: Videos that explore topics in-depth, often with a mix of education and entertainment.

 Live videos that are typically lengthy and earn high watch time.

 Sound-driven videos that can play in the background and rack up watch hours.

 A collection of entertaining videos that play back-to-back and keep viewers engaged.

Before anything else, YouTube is an entertainment platform for billions of people. So, the more interesting and innovative you are, the easier it is to earn watch time. Of course, you’ll have to be 

 innovative than thousands of creators, which is easier said than done. 

But it’s possible. You just have to be 90% better than your competition. This typically means 

creating something people haven’t seen before

In other words, what makes your content special?

For example, we can guarantee you’ve never seen a dog stomping on its hind legs enthusiastically, wobbling from left to right between its owner’s knees. Most people love pet videos, but that’s not something you see every day.

However, the dog is real and represents a YouTube channel (Adventuring With Nala) that’s about to hit 600,000 subscribers! It’s fresh and fascinating, especially in the pet space.

Do you show your face in YouTube videos? If so, one way to delight your audience (and boost watch time) is to be more engaging. Use your voice, personality, and facial expressions to make viewers feel at home when watching your content. This, by far, is an underrated way to keep their attention.

How to Become a Pro at Speaking on Camera

Start by figuring out how long you need to speak instead of rambling or freestyling. Then, vary your speaking patterns (volume and speed) to create vocal variety and keep viewers engaged. Create warmth in your video by maintaining eye contact, changing your facial expressions, and using welcoming body language.

4. Don’t Just Make Videos — Tell Stories

A man telling a story with animated expression

In 2020, we would have told you to edit your videos so there are 

. But four years later, videos are getting longer and less polished as creators prioritize story times and intimate vlogs. And it’s working.

, Dry Creek Wrangler School, and Phil Cofer making videos that feel like “life discussions” between friends.

If we’ve learned anything from the rise of authenticity on YouTube, it’s that viewers want to feel like they’re hanging out with a close friend. And what do friends do? They swap stories!

Try your hand at making video essays, story time content, extended vlogs, or anything viewers will stick around for. Combine that with 

, and you’re swiftly on your way to building more watch time!

Tips for Building 500-1,000 YouTube Subscribers

Getting more YouTube subscribers is just as important as boosting your watch time. But while building watch hours is an art, finding your target audience on YouTube is more of a science. Here’s how to make it happen!

Two people cooking and filming the process in a kitchen

On YouTube, your niche is what you’re known for. It’s the specific type of content you make and the topics you discuss on your channel, like home gardening, basketball highlights, or animal rescue. Establishing a niche allows you to attract viewers interested in the same hobby, subject, or lifestyle you’re promoting. And that builds a community!

It’s OK to experiment with different types of content when you first join YouTube. But eventually, you’ll want to be known for something concrete so viewers have a reason to subscribe.

How to Choose the Best Niche for Your YouTube Channel

Woman doing a livestream with heart icons surrounding her

The best YouTube channels are built on strong communities. In fact, replace the phrase “YouTube subscribers” with “YouTube community” and you have the right idea in mind.

Think of how most viewers behave as they watch, browse, and interact on YouTube. Few people subscribe to a channel because they saw one good video; they join after witnessing a solid community.

The Secret Formula for Gaining and Retaining YouTube Subscribers

Building a community isn’t easy, but the actions to get there are simple enough:

Solve problems for your viewers through content, products, and more.

Keep your viewers’ wants and needs in mind when making content.

Talk to your viewers on the YouTube Community Tab

Build exclusive communities just for them.

Do you share your YouTube videos on other platforms? If not, it’s time to post your content on apps like TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, and more to 

. This brings more eyeballs to your content and increases your chance of earning more subscribers.

Plus, this way, you aren’t waiting on the 

 to notice your videos and recommend them to the right people. You’re taking matters into your own hands to grow your audience faster.

6 Popular Apps to Promote Your YouTube Channel

Reminding viewers to subscribe is always helpful, but there are other ways to grow your community in record time.

From a user experience standpoint, you can make it ridiculously easy for people to hit subscribe. All you have to do is put a subscribe link, button, or watermark wherever your viewers are — the video watch page, your website, the comment section, etc.

8 Ways to Help Viewers Subscribe to Your YouTube Channel

Place a subscribe button (video watermark) on all of your videos.

Embed a subscribe button on your website or blog.

It's all about developing a sound strategy that works for you and your content. In the video below, Rob talks to a creator who started their journey from scratch and have seen tremendous success in a less than a year! Watch the video to know the strategies that made it possible.

phone lying on top of money and showing the youtube logo.

Looking for ways to reach YouTube monetization faster? Use these 8 powerful tips to accelerate the journey in 2025.

New Year, Richer You: 8 Tips to Get Monetized Faster on YouTube

The TikTok ban date is approaching fast leaving several creators unsure of their future. In less than a fortnight, we could witness one of the most substantial regulatory actions against a social media platform in U.S. history, with potentially far-reaching consequences for millions of users and creators.

The uncertainty has prompted creators worldwide to search for alternatives that offer similar reach, engagement, and growth opportunities, posing difficult questions to the creator economy as a whole. While many believe that the decision is fundamentally unconstitutional, certain ethical questions raised by the authorities have caused serious concerns among users of the popular app.

U.S. President Joe Biden signed a historic foreign aid bill

 that stated TikTok would be removed from app stores and blocked by internet service providers because of their ties to Chinese owners, ByteDance. Unless action is taken by the Supreme Court, 

the TikTok ban is scheduled to go into effect on January 19th.

Lawmakers in the U.S. are concerned about TikTok’s ties to China and the security of user data. They’ve questioned whether ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, could be forced to share information with the Chinese government. This has sparked bipartisan support for a ban in 2025.

This isn’t the first time TikTok has been under scrutiny. Remember when the 

Trump administration tried to ban it in 2020?

 Back then, the effort fizzled out in court, but it hinted that the administration might have lifted the ban if ByteDance agreed to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American company. Oracle and Walmart were considered potential buyers, and although no deal was finalized, it showed us that diplomatic and business negotiations could influence the platform’s fate.

Fast forward to today, and the political climate has changed again. While the Biden administration initially focused on privacy regulations rather than an outright ban, pressure has increased due to heightened tensions between the US and China. With many states banning TikTok on government devices and renewed momentum in Congress, the pressure is mounting.

The TikTok ban could go into effect on the 19th of January at the earliest, with the possibility of a 90-day extension on the deadline. 

If TikTok gets banned in the U.S., creators relying on the platform for their income and audience growth face a critical turning point. Not only does this threaten revenue streams, but it also disrupts communities built over the years. Many creators are now asking, "What will replace TikTok if it's banned?" and "Where are people going instead of TikTok?"

The impending TikTok ban presents both challenges and opportunities for content creators who have built their following on the platform. If the platform disappears, here are some ways it could impact your creator journey:

TikTok might be your main platform, and if it goes, so does your audience. That’s a very tough pill to swallow. Losing your existing audience base might affect your current monetization strategies and brand partnerships.

 Those live gifts, brand partnerships, and the Creator Fund payouts? They’re tied to TikTok’s existence, and losing them could hurt your bottom line. Many creators have reported earning between $1,000 to $10,000 monthly through TikTok's Creator Fund and brand collaborations, making this a significant financial consideration.

A lot of brands focus heavily on TikTok campaigns for marketing purposes. If the ban happens, they’ll pivot, leaving creators in limbo. This means interruption of existing marketing strategies and campaigns, especially for those who have scheduled content or ongoing brand partnerships extending into 2025. Many creators have already begun receiving revised contract terms from brands they’re tied to.

Beyond finances, there’s the stress of potentially losing years of work and personal investment.

Short-form content has the highest return on investment,

 with 57% of GenZ users calling it the content of their choice. The format is here to stay, whether TikTok gets banned or not. So, as a creator, it's time to prepare.

Forward-thinking TikTok content creators aren't waiting for the ban to take effect – they're already implementing strategic changes to protect and grow their digital presence. So, it’s time to not panic and take action, before you have to compete with the rest. Here is what you need to do:

If TikTok shuts down, the years of content you have uploaded on the app face massive risk. Don’t leave your best work stranded on TikTok. Try to develop a comprehensive content backup strategy to preserve your existing work. Download all your TikTok content and organize it in a way that makes it easy to repurpose for other platforms. You may also consider using content management tools to streamline this process.

It’s all about reducing your dependency on TikTok. Think of this as your chance to spread your wings. There are a few behemoths that pose as great TikTok alternatives, no matter what your style of content is.

YouTube has a strong algorithm and monetization options, making it a great home for your content.

 Instagram’s established user base gives you a chance to reach a broader audience.

Platforms like Clapper and Triller might not have TikTok’s reach yet, but they’re gaining traction

TikTok creators are diversifying their social media presence across multiple platforms, with Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and a few others emerging as primary alternatives. These platforms offer similar short-form video capabilities and have been actively courting TikTok creators with attractive creator funds and monetization opportunities.

Do you want to make sure your followers stick with you? Then, start building a more direct connection. Create a newsletter, launch a Discord server, or try platforms like Patreon. These tools let you maintain control over your community and income, no matter what happens to TikTok. This way, successful creators are focusing on building platform-agnostic personal brands that can thrive regardless of the specific social media environment.

If TikTok goes away, so do its monetization features. But you can still thrive by exploring new revenue streams. Think online courses, merch, or affiliate marketing. The key is not putting all your eggs in one basket and diversifying your monetization opportunities so that they are not platform-specific.

If you’ve been a TikTok-only creator so far, you might need to learn new skills that could heavily upgrade your content game as a whole. Optimizing your videos for YouTube search and other platforms will become very important with the influx of so many creators. We have a couple of 

tools at vidIQ that could help you with all that!

Content repurposing strategies have become increasingly important too, with creators making relevant content for multiple platforms simultaneously. This approach not only hedges against platform-specific risks but also maximizes the return on your content creation efforts.

The Future of Content Creation Without TikTok

While you still have time before the TikTok ban date is finally here, make sure you use this time wisely. You can leverage your bio to redirect followers to the new social media giants you’re thinking of migrating to. Stay informed about the latest developments regarding the ban and potential alternatives and keep updating your strategies as and when required.

The TikTok ban doesn’t have to mean the end of your creative journey-- it’s quite the opposite. The 

creator economy is supposed to roughly double in size over the next five years 

to $480 billion by 2027 from $250 billion today, and that only means newer and better opportunities! It is an exciting time for creators willing to adapt and explore the potential of their content across other platforms on the internet.

As the TikTok ban date approaches rapidly, discover how to adapt and overcome the situation and stay ahead as a creator.

The TikTok Ban Date is Coming: Are You Prepared?

With just a few weeks left in the year, we’re looking at 2024 with a sense of wonder and wide-eyed excitement. We’re

 which YouTube trends will shape the heart of content creation. We’re 

 for creators to develop new passions. And most of all, we’re eager to break down every YouTube trend so you can grow your channels in 2025!

Before the end of the year, our team of creators sat down together to discuss the emerging trends set to redefine the platform. According to them, the future of YouTube in 2025 holds immense potential for creators willing to adapt. Watch the video above to know how!

So, are you ready to explore the future of YouTube? Pay attention to these nine trends, as they might affect your views, watch time, subscribers, and revenue.

A robot with the youtube logo on its forehead

Artificial intelligence had a breakout year and is still going strong. Tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E, Midjourney, and vidIQ's

 help creatives make content faster. Because of that, we’re seeing the rise of 

. Creators are outsourcing their content creation using AI software (or hired humans) to design thumbnails, script videos, edit footage, and create voiceovers quickly. Some creators make a lot of money doing this — six figures, even.

Unfortunately, many people use AI in damaging ways, like impersonating celebrities and spreading misinformation. YouTube's AI content policy to protect creators against these possible woes by:

Requiring creators to say when they’ve used AI in their content.

Penalizing non-disclosure by potentially removing content.

Allowing creators to request the removal of AI-generated content that impersonates them or infringes on their privacy.

However, YouTube is enthusiastic about the inclusion of AI in video content. With the new auto-dubbing feature, creators can reach a much larger global audience by translating their videos seamlessly into other languages with a single click! AI-assisted editing reduces production time, while advanced analytics guide content optimization.

More and more, creators are ditching highly-produced videos in favor of authentic, unfiltered content. Take a look around YouTube: The thumbnails are getting simpler, and fancy edits are quietly disappearing. Even the storylines themselves have a relaxed, meandering pace, because now, it’s about creating intimacy with viewers.

 is at the forefront of this trend, but he's not alone. 

, originally a horse channel, has pivoted to posting uncut videos that share life lessons. Creators are shifting toward sincere videos, and that's bound continue in 2024.

A thumbnail with the words this is thumbnail A

While some creators have simplified their thumbnails to appear more genuine, that doesn’t mean the YouTube click wars are over. In fact, they’re just beginning.

 that’s designed to help you get more watch time. Creators can upload multiple versions of a thumbnail, let YouTube show them to different viewers, and analyze the results of the experiment. Whichever thumbnail receives the highest share of watch time is the one to use going forward.

This empowers every creator, big and small, to present their best thumbnails. It doesn't matter if creators opt for a simple design; thumbnail testing, by definition, makes YouTube more competitive.

If you are facing trouble in making different thumbnails for your videos to compare in the testing tool, 

An average user on YouTube spends about 40 minutes in a single browsing session

, a number that is significantly higher compared to other social media platforms. Earlier, we talked about authenticity, but another important trend that we've noticed this year is a clear preference for long-form videos.

Creators are increasingly focusing on "evergreen content"—videos that remain relevant and attract consistent views over time. With an ever-expanding YouTube audience, content niches like tutorials, educational videos, and documentary-style storytelling are poised for significant growth. And most of these requirements are best addressed through long-form content, so expect to see more!

With the rise of more and more viewers who watch YouTube on TV, episodic documentary-style content might also be a lucrative trend to watch out for. These formats appeal to viewers seeking high-production value or immersive storytelling experiences.

A woman getting lots of hearts during a livestream

Earlier this year, YouTube announced that creators could monetize their channels with just 

 and 3,000 hours of watch time. That’s a sharp decrease from the 1,000-sub, 4,000-hour requirement we’ve seen in the past.

Notably, you can’t monetize content through video ads if you only have with 500 subscribers. YouTube is restricting these creators to fan-funding revenue only, such as 

Meanwhile, super fans are the ones who donate money, not casual YouTube viewers. That will push creators to 

if they want to make real money through fan funding.

It seems like YouTube wants small creators to have loyal fans before they become big creators. That raises the quality of videos and viewers (i.e., watch time) on YouTube.

6. High Earning Potential from YouTube Livestreaming

male YouTube livestreamer having fun and engaging with the chat

Creators are making gobs of money by simply going live, so the power of hosting YouTube livestreams is trending in the right direction.

Here’s a small taste of what you can earn:

Even outside of YouTube, music artists like Tee Grizzley pull in 

 streaming on Twitch and then posting the completed streams on YouTube. As revenue grows, we expect this trend to continue in 2024.

7. Ad Blockers Derailing Views, Monetization

a cartoon-style web page with the words skip ad

 tank your YouTube views and watch time? Even worse, will they jeopardize your dream of getting monetized?

A year ago, these questions would seem silly. But now that YouTube is blocking video playback for viewers who use ad blockers, the consequences are getting 

 was 35.7% in 2022, with China, Indonesia, and Vietnam leading the charge. Think about it from YouTube's perspective: That's a lot of lost revenue, especially if those behaviors are prevalent on video-sharing sites.

. After all, YouTube has to allow playback on your videos before you can rack up views, watch time, and money. However, common sense tells us that some creators will unknowingly suffer, especially if their audience wants ad-free viewing.

three males filming a dancing youtube short

Did you know that most creators using vidIQ gained 100,000 subscribers by posting short, vertical videos? If you want proof, check our most recent list of 

YouTube channels that hit 100,000 subscribers

 in 30 days. For most channels, their standout video wasn't lengthy or horizontal; it was a YouTube Short.

This isn’t surprising to most creators, but we’re adding it to the list because Shorts continue to grow small channels. If you aren’t a short-form creator (yet), consider experimenting in 2024.

9. The Rise of VR Gaming (Virtual Reality)

 will be more than $22 billion by 2025. So, it makes sense that this style of entertainment is flooding YouTube, especially in the gaming space.

For example, check out the screenshot below. According to vidIQ’s keyword explorer, viewers want to see VR content from games like 

. They’re also searching for VR gamers and commentators (

) as well as VR technology (Soundcore VR P10 earbuds).

All of these keywords have high searches on YouTube and low competition from other creators. That means the VR space is relatively fresh and ready to be tamed by some lucky creators.

Now that you know which trends to watch out for, here's how to update your channel and get more views!

YouTube logo with a jagged line graph shooting through it.

What will video creation look and feel like in 2025? Dive into YouTube trends surrounding AI, long-form content, and the rise of authentic, unpolished videos.

The Future of Video Creation: 9 YouTube Trends to Watch in 2025

Throughout the last year, YouTube has rolled out many updates on the platform for creators. While some of these updates are minor, several have changed how we look at YouTube forever. And when we peek into the future, it doesn't look like the pace of innovation will be slowing anytime soon.

In the video above, Rob has done the colossal task of covering every YouTube update from last year! Watch it now to know what hit the YouTube world in 2024. To help you stay informed, we've compiled the biggest YouTube updates every creator should know!

phone laying on pile of money and showing youtube logo

 is the most important step in growing a sustainable career. And YouTube seems to have acknowledged that loud and clear. Changes to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), Shorts monetization, and the positioning of video ads are helping creators earn 

If YouTube rejected your YouTube Partner Program (YPP) application, you could re-apply in 21 days instead of waiting the original 30 days. Also, creators who got rejected a second time had to wait 90 days before reapplying. But, during the waiting period, creators could lose their monetization status.

This Update Could Change the YouTube Partner Program Forever

YouTube has now changed this for the better. Creators will now have a 7-day buffer period to appeal before their income is affected, providing much-needed stability for those who rely on the platform for their livelihood.

Short-form content is here to stay. YouTube now considers videos up to three minutes long as Shorts, granting creators greater flexibility. So, if you've been competing against mini videos that cannibalize your long-form content, your complaints have been heard!

There has also been an increasing trend for YouTube Shorts ad revenue across the platform. In an encouraging sign for Shorts creators, ad RPMs have risen significantly, 

tripling to above $0.10 per thousand views.

 This trend underscores the growing advertiser interest in short-form content 

The opportunities, though, remain severely limited, and creators still need to weigh the benefits of higher visibility against lower income when creating such content.

Instead of allowing you to select the video ads you want to show, such as pre-rolls, post-rolls, skippable, or non-skippable, YouTube will make those decisions for you. It will happen automatically when you decide to monetize an upload.

YouTube Monetization Update: Key Changes for Video Ads

YouTube has said that activating pre-roll ads can potentially boost revenue by over 15%, with a watch time reduction of less than 5%. Creators will still have full control over mid-roll ads and can place them manually.

You can now get discovered from YouTube comments, through a keyword query search directly within YouTube. For now, this update is available on mobile only, but we can expect more updates soon.

Get Discovered By Comments: YouTube Mobile Update

The "Comments" tab on your YouTube Studio has also been renamed to "Community." Its functionality remains largely the same except now with the "Community Spotlight" section, you can check out your most active commenters!

YouTube will also introduce a more dynamic and interactive Community where viewers and subscribers can post content and choose to communicate among themselves.

YouTube took steps to discourage the use of ad blockers

, encouraging viewers to support creators through YouTube Premium. This happened for several reasons:

To continue producing high-quality content, creators need financial support. Ads provide that cushion.

 By watching ads, viewers help to compensate creators for their effort and time.

 Ad revenue creates long-term sustainability for the platform.

But YouTube's latest announcement on new tiers of Premium has left users baffled. YouTube Premium will now have a cheaper tier called "Premium Lite" with limited ads. Although it's said to bypass most ads, the purpose of this new update is not entirely clear.

wrench with the red and white youtube logo

YouTube launched a host of tools last year (and some are yet to come in 2024) to aid creators in their process and make life easier. YouTube isn’t just providing a space to upload videos anymore; it wants to enhance your creative process with a slew of shortcuts!

YouTube's new AI tool translates your video into multiple audio tracks in different languages in practically real-time. This update is being sparsely rolled out as we write and the vidIQ channel doesn't have it yet.

This feature essentially enables creators to reach a massive global audience that was previously untapped for absolutely free! It could be one of the biggest growth tool updates on the platform over the last few years! Currently, the number of languages available for translation is limited but we can definitely expect this tool to become bigger.

YouTube Hype could become a game changer for small channels

From monetization changes to quirky new tools, check out the biggest YouTube updates from the past year.

Posts Written By Uttaran Samaddar

New Year, Richer You: 8 Tips to Get Monetized Faster on YouTube

The TikTok Ban Date is Coming: Are You Prepared?

The Future of Video Creation: 9 YouTube Trends to Watch in 2025

25 YouTube Updates that Will Affect Your Channel in 2025

Poll Data: 10 YouTube Stats About the Small Creator Journey

Your Channel Refresh: How to Prepare for YouTube Growth in 2025

Top 10 Christmas Keywords on YouTube

How To Upload Videos to YouTube Creator Studio in 2025

Top 10 Thanksgiving Keywords on YouTube

How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ

Top 10 Black Friday Keywords on YouTube

The 54 Best YouTube Niches, According to Viewers