How To Make Money on YouTube

To make money on YouTube, creators start by qualifying for the YouTube Partner Program and enabling ads, but that’s just the beginning. Real income comes from combining multiple streams: sponsorships, channel memberships, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products or services.

At vidIQ, we’ve studied how creators unlock monetization
milestones and scale beyond ad revenue. Here you will learn practical strategies to diversify income and build
a sustainable business from your YouTube channel.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump with red blocked symbol and text "BLOCKED!"

Sep 9, 2020

4 min read

How to Block Unwanted Ads on Your YouTube Content

Tired of seeing cringey political messages and other sensitive ads on your videos? Block them from your channel in five easy steps.

Checkbox for mid-roll video ads set to 8 minutes with vidIQ and YouTube logos.

Aug 6, 2020

8 min read

YouTube Updates Mid-Roll Ad Rules to Benefit Creators

If your channel is monetized, YouTube has now made mid-roll ads available to any video that’s 8 minutes or longer. This means YOU can earn more money!

Blue running shoes, dumbbells, towel, and water bottle on white wooden floor

Jul 29, 2020

7 min read

How To Make a Career as a Fitness Instructor on YouTube

Fitness instructors have a variety of ways to make money on YouTube. Find out what opportunities there are for generating revenue.

Updated Apr 29, 2026

9 min read

How to Make Money with a Gaming Channel on YouTube

Gaming channels can earn through AdSense, sponsors, affiliates, memberships, and Super Chats. See CPM benchmarks and earning ranges by subscriber tier.

Green dollar sign versus yellow dollar sign on blue and red background for money comparison

Jul 22, 2020

5 min read

How to Monetize Your YouTube Videos (and Keep Them Monetized!)

YouTube wants you to earn revenue from your videos so it has introduced a new step to confirm your uploads are ad-friendly. Read more about this new feature ...

Woman recording video blogging at home with dog lying on couch behind her

Jul 22, 2020

7 min read

3 Ways to Make Money as a How-To YouTube Channel

Not getting enough repeat views or revenue from your how-to or tutorial YouTube channel? Here are three ways to change that for good.

Close-up of a fluffy tabby cat with green eyes looking upward in natural light

Jul 15, 2020

8 min read

This is How Pet Enthusiasts Are Making Money on YouTube

Pets are not only wonderful and amazing but if you have enough knowledge about a certain animal you can turn that expertise into revenue via YouTube 🐈 🐕 🦝

Flat lay of art supplies, stationery, and headphones on wooden desk background.

Updated May 8, 2026

7 min read

How Arts & Crafts Creators Make Money on YouTube

Learn how arts & crafts YouTubers make money in 2026: CPM benchmarks, affiliate strategies, product sales, Shorts growth tactics, and sponsorship rates.

Speaker in red plaid shirt gesturing during TubeTalk presentation on black background

Jul 9, 2020

2 min read

How to Turn Your YouTube Channel into a Successful Business

How do you build a business on YouTube? In this week's episode of TubeTalk, we talk to a creator who will talk us through the right mindset to achieve that g...

Hand mixing egg whites to stiff peaks with electric beater in a glass bowl on blue surface

Jul 8, 2020

7 min read

This Is How Cooking Experts Can Make Money on YouTube

Do you work miracles in the kitchen? If so, you can earn some extra money by sharing your culinary expertise on YouTube!

Set of makeup brushes with powder residue on a dark textured surface.

Updated May 8, 2026

6 min read

How to Make Money on YouTube as a Beauty Creator

How beauty YouTubers make money in 2026: CPM by sub-niche, brand sponsorship rates, affiliate programs, YouTube Shopping, and Shorts strategy.

Classroom desk with books, pencils, beakers, and math and chemistry formulas on chalkboard

May 14, 2020

6 min read

How Educators and Teachers Can Make a Living from YouTube

YouTube is an incredible platform for any teacher or educator looking for a recession-proof way to build an online career. Find out how.

Comparison of YouTube growth metrics: 50 subs 4k views today vs 1,750 subs 450K views tomorrow

Apr 22, 2020

8 min read

How One Tiny YouTube Channel Generated 1000 Subscribers & 4000 Watch Time Hou...

Want to grow your YouTube channel as fast as possible so you can monetize it? Read how one very small creator did just that!