If you’re a video creator who wants to make money online, you’re going to want to know how to join the YouTube Partner Program(YPP).
On a basic level, the program lets creators monetize their content with advertisements, and in turn, earn a profit.
YouTube and its creators are part of a revenue-sharing model, and that helps both parties stay in business. For example, when a creator enables ads on their YouTube videos, and viewers watch those ads, the revenue is split between YouTube and the creator. The latter receives 55% while YouTube takes the remaining 45%.
That may seem like a big chunk of money for YouTube, but with hard work and dedication, your 55% share could be millions of dollars — as is the case with creators like MrBeast and Dude Perfect.
Are you ready to join the YouTube Partnership Program and start building a career on YouTube? Then let’s get started!
Before you can apply to the YouTube Partnership Program, you need to accomplish a few milestones first.
As of 2025, the YouTube Partnership Program works on a two-tiered structure, allowing creators to begin earning earlier in their YouTube journey than they have in the past.
Tier 1: Early Access to Fan Funding and Shopping Features
Creators can now access certain monetization tools with:
This tier grants access to features like Super Chats, Super Stickers, Channel Memberships, and YouTube Shopping, which helps creators generate revenue through fan interactions and product promotions.
Tier 2: Full Monetization Including Ad Revenue
For comprehensive monetization options, creators need:
Image credit: Official YouTube Blog
Achieving this tier unlocks full monetization capabilities, including revenue from ads and YouTube Premium.
These updates lower the barrier to entry, allowing emerging creators to monetize their content sooner. The emphasis on Shorts views reflects YouTube's focus on short-form content, providing an additional avenue for audience growth. However, creators need to stick to YouTube's monetization policies and community guidelines.
Overall, the 2025 YouTube Partner Program changes offer more opportunities for creators to earn income and grow their channels. It’s another way to help create a more inclusive and dynamic creator ecosystem.
When you’re ready to apply to the YPP, you can complete the application in the YouTube Studio. Just click ‘Earn’ in the studio’s left navigation menu.
That’ll bring you to the YPP application page, which requires four steps:
After applying to the YouTube Partnership Program, you may be wondering how long YouTube will take to review your application. The official answer from the platform’s support page is about one month. However, plenty of creators have been accepted before then, so keep checking your email.
In our experience, we were able to monetize two of our channels in less than 72 hours. YouTube reviewed both applications over a weekend, which we weren’t expecting. For more information on what that was like, watch the video below:
Admittedly, our smooth experience was probably due to the vidIQ YouTube channel already being monetized. We were trying to get a Russian and Spanish language channel into the YouTube Partnership Program, and they’re both branded as vidIQ.
Not getting into the YPP is disappointing, but don't worry. You can always re-apply to the program. The process for re-applying has changed, though, so review the details below carefully!
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 copyright claims or videos that violate YouTube’s Community Guidelines.
The YPP is great for boosting your income, but that’s not the only benefit of joining. The program also gives creators access to a copyright match tool and the platform’s creator support teams. The copyright tool helps you find and flag stolen video content, and the creator support teams help you get more value out of YouTube.
But most creators look forward to the monetization features.
Your level of access to these tools depends on your subscriber count and other factors.
Overall, figuring out how to join the YouTube Partnership Program doesn’t take much time. But even if you run into a snag or get stuck somewhere in the application, you’ll be glad you started the process. Getting into the YouTube Partnership Program is the first step to making money on YouTube, so keep creating valuable content!
But if you just can't wait, here are five ways to monetize your content outside of the YouTube Partnership Program.
Lydia Sweatt is a writer who loves balancing her article/blog time indoors with a healthy dose of nature. She bikes, hikes, and identifies edible plants along the way.
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