If you're a musician looking to carve out a career online, 

 isn't just a good option—it's a goldmine. But making money on YouTube as a musician isn’t about uploading a few covers and hoping for virality. It’s about strategy, consistency, and building a brand that gives value.

Whether you're a producer, guitarist, singer-songwriter, or full band, this guide will walk you through how to build a sustainable YouTube music income stream, one smart move at a time.

How to Get Royalty Free Music for Your YouTube Videos

Before you can turn a profit, you need to understand the platform. To start earning on YouTube, you need to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). As of 2025, there are two ways:

Either 3,000 watch hours in the past year or 3 million Shorts views in the past 90 days

4,000 watch hours in the past year or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days

But it is also very important to remember that YouTube is a content machine fueled by search queries, watch time, and consistency. As a 

, your first job is to learn how to create content that gets noticed.

Making Useful Music Content That Actually Pays

It’s not about flooding the internet with random videos. It’s about solving problems, entertaining consistently, and showing up with intention. 

Let’s be blunt: nobody is looking for another generic jam session video.

The top music creators on YouTube do more than play. They teach, explain, review, and provide content with real-world value. That’s where the money is. 

Figure out what your niche is—covers, gear reviews, tutorials, music theory, production walkthroughs, live performances, or all of the above. Then ask: 

What kind of content are people searching for? What are they curious about? What are they struggling with?

If you want to make a real income as a YouTube musician, start by answering the questions your audience is already typing into the search bar. Combining your musical expertise with a helpful, search-driven approach, will set you up for success!

Check out the top 100 music YouTube channels right here

 and see what they are doing well that you can implement.

YouTube Music Monetization with Content ID

Have you wondered how artists actually get paid when their songs beautifully fill the background of videos? It's with the help of the 

 system that makes sure artists receive their fair dues. 

Content ID is YouTube's automated, scalable system that enables copyright owners to identify YouTube videos that include content they own. Using the database of audio and visual files submitted, Content ID identifies matches of copyright-protected content. When a video is uploaded to YouTube, it's automatically scanned by Content ID. Watch a clear explanation from YouTube themselves:

With YouTube Content ID, you can monetize the use of your music across the entire YouTube platform. YouTube Content ID allows you to claim royalties not just on videos you have uploaded, but from other users' content too. The media types that can be monetized through Content ID include:

How Does Content ID Identify Your Music on YouTube?

Here’s the simple version. Through Content ID, YouTube:

Finds any user-generated video containing your song

Places ads on those videos when applicable so you can earn money

If you've unlocked monetization in YouTube, you can easily use the Content ID system through the 

 on YouTube. If you haven't unlocked monetization yet, there are third party services you can consider as well.

Creating a YouTube channel opens the doors to several streams of income, but its not the only way. However, it can help you build a loyal audience that will follow you as you explore other online ventures, such as:

Starting a music instruction site to promote your services

Selling your music on Spotify, iTunes, or Amazon

Hosting virtual concerts on Zoom, Discord and other platforms

Hosting private lessons on Zoom, Discord and other platforms

As a musician, you have plenty of ways to make money online, and not just with YouTube. However, it’s the one of the best sites for building an authoritative, socially distant music career.

If you want more insights into YouTube, then make sure to download vidIQ. Over 20 million creators use vidIQ to help with keyword and competitor research, channel audits, and so much more. 

Woman recording content as a YouTube musician

Female musician playing guitar and smiling while recording vocals in studio session

YouTube is an amazing place for any musician to teach their skills to others and make money by doing so. Find out how!

How to Make Money on YouTube as a Musician

Gone are the days when creators needed years to qualify for 

. A growing community of smart content creators is achieving monetization status in as little as 30 days using proven, repeatable approaches. These accelerated strategies aren't based on luck or choosing viral niches—they're systematic techniques that anyone can implement to fast-track their journey to monetization.

The YouTube Packaging Secret: More than Just Thumbnails

While most YouTube experts focus exclusively on thumbnail design, some of the fastest-growing channels are mastering something equally important: 

, that grew to 900,000 subscribers with only 15 videos. Their success wasn't just about eye-catching thumbnails. Instead, their titles employed powerful psychological triggers that made viewers unable to resist clicking.

Their key video title techniques that drive rapid YouTube monetization include:

Instead of vague promises like "How to make money online," successful creators use precise figures like 

"$3,000 to $5,000 into your bank account.”

Titles that promise something in a short period add a sense of urgency. For example, 

"fastest way to make $3,000 to $5,000 online"

These small adjustments can dramatically increase your views with minimal effort, pushing you closer to monetization requirements.

New YouTube channels face a significant challenge: Building credibility without an established audience. The solution? Leverage existing authority figures.

, which generated 14.5 million views and 43,000 subscribers in just 14 videos. Their strategy was brilliantly simple: They featured NBA players like Mugsy Bogues in their content, tapping into pre-existing audience interest.

You can apply this approach to any niche:

Fitness content? Structure videos around famous athletes' routines.

Cooking channel? Recreate dishes from celebrity chefs.

Build your video around an authority figure that your target audience respects

Feature them prominently in your thumbnail

Test different authority figures to see which ones generate the most engagement

Channels achieving rapid YouTube monetization aren't just creating random content. They're systematically testing formats until finding what works, then doubling down with laser focus.

, which grew from 7,000 to 150,000 subscribers in under a year using the double-down approach. They initially struggled with different video formats until one video significantly outperformed others. Rather than trying new concepts, they replicated that successful formula with slight variations. 

Pick 2 - 3 different video formats to test

Double down and create 1 - 2 more videos with the same:

Continue this replication until performance declines.

Using YouTube Shorts for Quick Subscriber Growth

Finally, let’s talk about a little cheat code for gaining those last few subscribers you need for YouTube monetization: repurposing existing content as Shorts. This method will only take an extra 20 to 30 minutes for each video you post. And you don’t need any fancy editing application if you are using

To create a new short from your existing video, select one of your best-performing videos, then:

Click "Remix" and select "Edit into Short"

The key step: Find a segment that provides a complete thought or tip in under 3 minutes

Include a clear call-to-action like "Subscribe for more tips"

This strategy consistently helps channels gain hundreds of additional subscribers with minimal effort.

While these acceleration techniques can dramatically speed up your path to monetization, they work best when built upon solid 

. Understanding the platform's algorithm, audience retention principles and community guidelines remains essential.

By implementing these proven strategies used by the fastest-growing channels, you can transform your monetization timeline from years to months—maybe even weeks. The 30-day YouTube monetization system isn't about shortcuts; it's about working smarter with strategic, targeted approaches that maximize your growth velocity.

Let’s deep dive into proper YouTube title techniques

Fast-track YouTube monetization in 30 days with smart strategies—master titles, leverage authority, and optimize Shorts for growth!

Monetize Your YouTube Channel in As Little As 30 Days

YouTube is finally addressing a long-standing monetization issue that has frustrated creators for years, particularly mid-sized channels that depend heavily on AdSense revenue. In a major update to the YouTube monetization policy, the platform is introducing human review for yellow-icon monetization decisions, potentially transforming how creators earn money in 2025. 

In this blog, we’ll dive into the recent updates YouTube is testing to alleviate this issue, how they plan to improve the monetization process, and what this means for creators and advertisers alike.

Content creators are all too familiar with this scenario: You spend hours crafting a video that meets all advertiser guidelines, only to wake up and find YouTube’s dreaded "yellow icon of doom" on your upload. This status has been particularly devastating for mid-sized creators with tens of thousands of subscribers, since this yellow icon signifies that your video is receiving limited or no ads.

This problem with receiving a yellow YouTube icon is significant because:

It disrupts the video’s post-upload period, which is when videos generate the most ad revenue

It puts additional pressure on mid-size channels that rely heavily on AdSense before establishing alternative revenue streams

It could be accidentally assigned. An incorrect automated decision can damage creators’ livelihoods

Disputing the yellow icon can take days to resolve, cutting into earning potential

YouTube's Response to Creator Monetization Challenges

Recognizing the monetization challenges faced by creators, YouTube's solution is refreshingly simple: Adding human reviewers to the process.

 it is experimenting with automatically sending videos that receive a limited or no ads rating for additional review.

Videos flagged by automated systems will receive human review

Creators won't need to manually dispute yellow icons

More videos should maintain full monetization status from launch

Creators can focus on content rather than fighting the system

While this update represents a significant improvement, YouTube has clarified that this feature will roll out to a small portion of creators first, with platform-wide implementation depending on initial results.

The hope is that by having a human validate these automated decisions, videos that deserve full monetization will get it, leading to more green icons and less financial stress for creators.

It’s important to note that this initiative is still in the experimental phase. But what if it’s a huge success for creators and YouTube alike? This leads to questions about the scalability of such a system—how many human reviewers would YouTube need to manage this effectively?

Implementing human review across YouTube would require a substantial workforce and financial investment from the platform. This raises interesting questions about YouTube's automated systems:

Is YouTube leaving significant advertising revenue unclaimed?

Does this signal a broader shift in YouTube's approach to creator support?

The investment suggests YouTube may be recognizing that supporting creators financially ultimately benefits all stakeholders – viewers, advertisers, and the platform itself.

While YouTube’s monetization policy update brings good news, YouTube is simultaneously tightening restrictions on gambling content.

Effective March 19, 2025, the platform now strictly limits how creators can reference gambling sites:

No URLs or links to gambling sites that are not certified by Google

No embedded images or text directing viewers to gambling sites

No verbal references to uncertified gambling platforms

Content that features depictions or promotions of online casino sites may be age-restricted, even if it doesn't violate community guidelines. This represents 

 to protect impressionable viewers, potentially at the cost of advertising dollars.

What This Means for YouTube Creators in 2025

These updates signal YouTube's evolving approach to balancing creator earnings with viewer protection. For most content producers, the human review system should mean:

Higher earnings during the crucial first days after upload

However, channels focused on gambling content may face new challenges adapting to stricter policies.

As these changes roll out, creators should be proactive in understanding the new guidelines and embracing best practices.

How YouTube Creators Can Stay Ahead of the Policy Change

Focus on creating content that adheres to 

Build a loyal community that supports your channel, as this can help mitigate the impact of yellow icons.

YouTube's willingness to invest in human reviewers demonstrates its recognition that creators are essential to the platform's success. As YouTube continues to mature, these changes suggest a more nuanced approach to content policies.

For creators who have experienced unfair demonetization in the past, this update represents a significant improvement. While the experimental nature means it's not yet available to everyone, the direction is promising for YouTube's monetization ecosystem in 2025 and beyond.

Check out another recent YouTube monetization update 

YouTube's 2025 update introduces human reviews for monetization issues, boosts creator earnings, and tightens gambling content rules.

Creator Earnings Overhaul: YouTube's 2025 Money Update

This post was originally written Jun 06, 2023 and has been updated with newer information.

If you're a small creator on YouTube, get ready to 

monetize your channel faster than ever in 2025

. The YouTube Partner Program changes have made it so you won't need as many subscribers or as much watch time to join up.

You can apply for the YouTube Partner Program once you have the following:

3,000 public watch hours in the previous 12 months

Alternatively, you can join the program without 3,000 watch hours, but instead, you'll need 3 million public YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days.

A list of new requirements for the YPP, which are significantly lowered

These options are much lower than the old requirements, which were 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours or 10 million public Shorts views.

Best of all, these rules offer early access to some monetization features. YouTube announced the changes in a recent 

"These new partners will unlock access to fan funding features like 

, and the ability to promote their own products with YouTube Shopping."

One drawback to these changes is that they don't give full access to the YPP. You'll get plenty of fan-funding options but must satisfy 

So, while 500 subs, three videos, and 3,000 watch hours get you into the program, that's just the beginning. You will still need 1,000 subs plus 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views to monetize with ads.

The good news is that once you're in the YPP, you're in. You don't need to re-apply after reaching older milestones, and you'll unlock the revenue tools you didn't have before.

We know these changes are a lot to take in, so if you need extra details, watch this video to learn more about the new and improved YPP.

Lowering the monetization requirements on YouTube is a fantastic idea. New creators have a chance to make money faster, and the opportunity may motivate them to grow a successful channel. YouTube is looking for ways to listen to, empathize with, and solve problems for small creators, which is always good.

On the flip side, small creators will only get some of what they want from this deal. They can access fan funding, but making money is only possible with an engaged community. And they may need more than 500 subscribers to earn satisfying revenue. A larger creator, with, say, 10,000 subscribers, has an easier time getting video donations, member subscriptions, or product sales because 

For example, if only 1% of 10,000 subscribers choose to fund a creator, that's still 100 active "customers." With 500 subscribers, 1% participation amounts to five customers.

So regardless of how fast you join the YPP, you need an authentic community to seize the entire opportunity. 

The first step is learning how to gain real subscribers on YouTube!

Maximizing Revenue with Fan Funding Features

The new 500-subscriber tier lets you plan your monetization journey sooner. 

Channel Memberships offer a great way to earn steady monthly income from loyal fans. With these perks, you can start earning even without meeting the ad revenue benchmark.

Create clear membership levels that give actual benefits. For example, you might add

. Keep your perks simple and useful for your fans.

Set prices that feel fair. Start with tiers around $1.99 to $4.99, then consider higher-priced levels with extra benefits for devoted fans. Remind your audience of these perks during videos and live sessions. Keep in mind that YouTube takes 30% of membership earnings. 

Phone displays YouTube logo while sitting on top of money

Smartphone displaying YouTube logo on screen with stacks of US hundred-dollar bills.

YouTube's expanded Partner Program lets creators monetize with just 500 subscribers. Learn the requirements and how to access fan funding features faster.

YouTube Partner Program: How to Monetize with Only 500 Subscribers

For many years, YouTube has been guilty of not fully explaining how and why demonetization due to restricted ads actually happened. Well, creators, your cries have been answered!

 25 YouTube Updates that Will Affect Your Channel in 2025

Restricted ads notification on YouTube studio

YouTube has recently launched a monetization feature that will not only help you avoid that dreaded yellow icon for your videos but also give insights on tour past videos and mistakes that caused your content to get demonetized. And who better than our expert Rob Wilson to explain all of that to you! Click on the link below.

Only for those using the desktop upload process.

Creators must honestly self-certify their videos during the upload process.

Creators can appeal if a video receives a yellow icon indicating restricted ads. A human expert will review the video based on the following factors. Let us can learn how you appeal for the removal of these yellow icons--here is what is required:

The review will detail which guidelines were breached.

Specifics on how the breach affects ad placement.

Identifies the exact moment the issue occurred in the video.

 Includes details if the issue was with the thumbnail or title.

Given that this process is fairly new and still pending results, there are some limitations that we have to accept. The intention is for creators to learn and avoid future mistakes and not abuse the process. So, creators need to request a review to get this detailed report--there isn't an automatic alternative yet.

While you can still look at past mistakes, you cannot retroactively change them by just editing out the contentious part. However, YouTube may consider re-reviewing content in the future.

But all in all, it's a huge step taken in favor of creators moving forward!

, YouTube has taken a more hands-on approach with ad placements on your videos. Instead of allowing you to select the ads you want to show, such as pre-rolls, post-rolls, skippable, or non-skippable, YouTube makes those decisions for you. Not only that, but YouTube also decides 

This means you don't have to manually insert video ads anymore; YouTube will place them along the best possible timestamps, effectively doing the hard work for you. But why is this happening? 

 while ensuring that creators make the most money possible. It’s a win-win because creators will spend less time placing ads and (potentially) earn more ad revenue overall. But more on that later!

In their most recent revision of the ads monetization system, YouTube is updating its mid-roll ad system, making significant changes that impact both creators and viewers. By May 12, 2025, YouTube will start placing 

 at natural breakpoints while reducing interruptions during key moments in videos. 

Creators can still manually place ads, but YouTube will automatically add more mid-roll ads where deemed necessary. YouTube's AI will also give you feedback on your ads if they are placed manually.

In the video above, Rob covers all of this and more. Note that any video uploaded before February 24th, 2025, with only manual ad placement can now have automatic mid-roll ads. This heavy inclusion comes with the backing of a 

 on the platform for channels using both automatic and manual ads. Viewers, on the other hand, may need to brace for an influx of mid-roll ads, potentially leading to increased 

, there are updates in that arena as well. Creators can choose to let YouTube determine the optimal times for mid-roll ads during streams or set regular intervals, such as every 6, 8, or 10 minutes. However, if you're using third-party streaming tools be aware that they might not support these new ad features (yet).

While these changes may not impact you as a creator right now, it's good to understand them as you navigate YouTube, along with the new ad settings, and the monetization goals you’ve set for your channel.

And, speaking of monetization, are you looking for ways to boost your YouTube AdSense revenue? This guide will show you how!

Smartphone showing YouTube app surrounded by hundred-dollar bills, symbolizing earnings

Calling all monetized creators! Learn all the recent ads updates coming directly from the YouTube office.

YouTube Monetization Update: Key Changes for Video Ads

As a short-form creator, you're probably wondering if you can monetize your YouTube Shorts like long-form creators monetize their videos. 

YouTube has several paths for monetizing short content, and this guide explains all of your options.

One of the best ways to monetize your Shorts is through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Upon joining, you have access to all of YouTube's money-making tools, like the ability to place ads on videos or monetize your audience directly through fan-funding.

There are two ways to enter the YPP (you only need to choose one!).

Upload 3 public videos in the last 90 days.

Get 3,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days or 3 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

 from long-form videos in the last 365 days or 

If you mainly produce Shorts or a mix of long and short videos, aiming for 1,000 subscribers plus either 10 million Shorts views or 4,000 watch hours is a smart path to join the YPP.

 will earn advertising revenue. So, do these four things to stay in the clear:

YouTube's Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines

Avoid using unedited clips from movies and TV shows that you don't have rights to.

Avoid uploading another creator's content without adding a new perspective or transforming the content.

Monetizing YouTube Shorts Through Ads: A Quick Rundown

 is a bit different from monetizing a regular YouTube video. Notably, all Shorts revenue is split between different parties, including the creators who make them and the music publishers who provide songs for those videos.

The four steps of YouTube Shorts monetization 

 all of the Shorts ad revenue on its platform.

 how much money goes to the creator pool, which depends on views and music usage across all Shorts. If creators use no music in their Shorts, they retain all of the revenue at this point. If they use music, the revenue is split between the creator pool and music publishers.

 the ad revenue to monetized Shorts creators. This is based on a creator's total share of Shorts views on the platform, whether that's 5%, 10%, 15%, etc.

Can You Monetize YouTube Shorts Without 1,000 Subscribers?

If you're just starting out on YouTube, getting 500 subscribers is a quick way to join the YPP and monetize your Shorts. You won't earn ad revenue, but you can monetize most of your content — Shorts included — through fan-funding tools.

For example, with just 500 subs, you can collect 

 revenue on your YouTube Shorts. These are "video tips" ranging from $2 to $50 that your fans can send to support individual videos.

 are an option as well, especially if you love streaming on YouTube.

Learn how to monetize YouTube Shorts through the Creator Pool, fan funding, and more. Discover the requirements and strategies to profit from your short videos.

How To Make Money on YouTube

How to Make Money on YouTube as a Musician

Monetize Your YouTube Channel in As Little As 30 Days

Creator Earnings Overhaul: YouTube's 2025 Money Update

YouTube Partner Program: How to Monetize with Only 500 Subscribers

YouTube Monetization Update: Key Changes for Video Ads

YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

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

How to Get Monetized on YouTube

The Most Profitable AI Niches on YouTube in 2024

3 Types of YouTube Channels that Never Get Monetized

How Much Does YouTube Pay For 1,000 Subscribers?

How Much Does YouTube Pay for 1 Million Views?