When YouTube cut its subscriber requirement for early monetization from 1,000 to 500, it opened the door for more creators to earn money and build sustainable channels.
In 2025, you need 500 subscribers, at least three public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days to unlock fan‑funding tools
Read more: YouTube Relaxes its Monetization Rules: Only 500 Subscribers Needed!
There's one caveat, though. Hitting this new milestone doesn't mean you can monetize your content with ad revenue — only fan-funding tools.
Fan funding is YouTube’s way of letting viewers directly support creators they love. Instead of relying solely on ads or sponsorships, creators can earn tips and recurring payments from their audience. YouTube introduced fan‑funding in 2014 to give viewers a way to make voluntary donations.
This built‑in “tip jar” includes three major tools—Super Chat, Super Thanks, and Channel Memberships—each unlocking at 500 subscribers and allowing creators to monetize while still growing toward full ad revenue.
Super Chat is a monetization feature introduced in 2017 that allows viewers to purchase a chat message that stays highlighted and pinned at the top of the live‑chat window. The more a viewer pays, the longer their message stays on screen.
This gives fans a way to stand out in busy live chats and gives creators a direct revenue stream.
How to use it: Enable Super Chat in your channel’s monetization settings and remind viewers during live streams that they can support you. Celebrate their contributions on screen, call out their messages, and thank them personally—it’s a powerful way to encourage repeat support.
Super Thanks lets viewers tip on regular videos, not just live streams. Fans can pay between $2–$50 to trigger a celebratory animation and leave a highlighted “Thanks” comment. It’s similar to Super Chat but works on any published video. Super Thanks is available to monetized channels that meet YouTube’s eligibility requirements and comply with all policies.
How to use it: Mention Super Thanks in your video descriptions or on end screens. Encourage viewers who found value in your content to show their appreciation. Since it’s passive income, Super Thanks can generate tips long after a video is uploaded.
Channel Memberships are paid subscriptions that offer exclusive perks such as badges, custom emojis, members‑only videos, live‑chat access and other benefits. Fans pay a monthly fee to access these perks, and the steady income helps creators sustain their channels.
How to use it: Once you qualify for the YouTube Partner Program and meet eligibility requirements (usually 30,000 subscribers for non‑gaming channels), set up membership tiers in YouTube Studio. Offer meaningful perks—think behind‑the‑scenes videos, members‑only live streams, or early access to new uploads. The more value you provide, the more likely fans are to join and stay.
Fan funding can be a gratifying way to make money consistently on YouTube. But to do that, you need quality subs who are open to supporting you financially!
Building a community of 500 people may feel daunting when you’re starting at zero, but it’s achievable. Here's how to get those natural, fan-level subs on your channel.
It's nice to have 500 subscribers (and unlock fan-funding), but that doesn't mean viewers will automatically send you money on YouTube. They must feel moved to do it, which usually happens when they connect with your content.
That's why you should go after organic subscribers (that you didn't pay for). These viewers will show up to watch your videos and support your content with the occasional Super Chat or Super Thanks, to show their appreciation.
So, how do you build a real YouTube community? As soon as you have 30, 40, or 50 viewers on a steady basis, reply to their comments! Engage with them on the YouTube Community tab and ask them what they want to watch. Keep showing up, and they'll do the same!
Pop quiz: What type of viewer will most likely send you a Super Thanks (aka, a monetary tip)? We already know that organic, engaged subscribers will do this. But can you think of anyone else?
Alright, we won't keep you in suspense. If you can find an underserved community on YouTube — like unicyclists who walk their dogs simultaneously — make videos for them. Chances are, they're waiting for someone, anyone, to show an interest in their hobbies. If you're that special creator, they'll appreciate you 10 times more and support you financially.
Another way to lift your subscriber count is by paying attention to global trends. For example, which video games come out next month? Is there a new dance taking over TikTok? What's happening in sports, cinema, and music?
If a trending topic aligns with your channel, don't let the moment slip away. Make a video about it! Our Trends Alerts tool will inform you when there's a popular trend ongoing at once!
vidIQ can help you with that, especially when using global rising keywords, our newest feature. This nifty tool shows you which topics are growing in popularity on YouTube, along with a keyword score, competition score, and the monthly search volume of the term.
Did you know that 70% percent of viewers watch videos that YouTube recommends? As a new creator, you have a tremendous opportunity here to reach new viewers. When seeking more subscribers, there's no better place for your content to surface than in someone's suggested feed.
But which videos will YouTube recommend? Your best bet is filming something that attracts a lot of watch time and likes. It should also mirror what people enjoy right now.
First, with the help of our Competitors tool, look at your competitors — aka, channels that make similar content to yours. What are their most popular videos, and which videos are being recommended next to those videos?
Study each recommendation. Write them down so you can make similar videos with your unique spin, flair, or perspective. After all, you now have certified proof that YouTube recommends specific videos to your target audience. Use that info to grow your channel!
Standing out on YouTube is challenging, especially as a small creator. The good news is you have plenty of ways to get viewers' attention! You can make videos with a unique perspective or blend two niches to "wow" people. You can make the brightest, boldest thumbnails to get more clicks.
But no matter what, remember to make videos people are actually searching for. YouTube has many search pages; getting your content on just one could result in more views and even increase your subscriber count.
It all starts with optimizing your videos for YouTube search and doing something called SEO (search engine optimization):
The vidIQ Keyword tools will help you make videos that rank!
Thumbnails are essential for getting your first 500 subscribers on YouTube. Most creators spend hours on those images, from developing an idea to ensuring the thumbnail matches the video title.
So, here's a neat shortcut to quicken the journey: Make thumbnails that are proven to work!
Read More: How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ
There are 12 types of compelling thumbnails on YouTube. These are images that…
As a small creator, you can kick start the YouTube algorithm so it pays attention to your channel. You do this by promoting your content outside of YouTube, at least initially.
According to Todd Beaupre, who leads the discovery product team at YouTube, sharing your videos in online communities is wise. You'll get your first video views much faster, enter viewers' watch history, and prompt the algorithm to share your content with similar audiences.
Read more: 5 Secrets You Didn't Know About the YouTube Algorithm
So, think of all the Facebook groups, Discord servers, or forums that align with your channel's topic. Could you share your videos there? As long as you're a genuine member of the community — one who engages and brings value — it's OK to share content that adds to the conversation.
Sometimes, viewers need a little convincing before subscribing to your channel. And even then, they may only click the button if it's right in front of them!
It's not that they don't want to subscribe to your channel; you just have to make it easy for them.
That's where buttons and links come in handy on YouTube. You can add a YouTube subscribe button to the bottom of your videos, on your end screens, and on your website. You can also paste a subscribe link that adds people to your community once they click it.
Read more: 8 Ways to Help Viewers Subscribe to Your YouTube Channel
Did you know that creators are getting more subscribers with YouTube Shorts? We're seeing this happen monthly with vidIQ customers who reach 1,000, 10,000, or 100,000 subs in just a few weeks. Most of the time, they focus on short video content that ends up going viral.
Read more: How to Make a YouTube Short In 2025: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
But how do you make a YouTube Short go viral? First, hook your viewers with a powerful introduction that gets their attention. Then, start analyzing the most popular Shorts. What do they have in common that other videos don't?
Typically, the best Shorts include:
Generic advice will get you a long way, but never to the top. If you're starting from zero, getting a YouTube coach is the best thing you can do for your creator journey. However, you don't want just any coach. You want proven experts who give you personalized advice for your channel and content.
And that's why here at vidIQ, we built the 1:1 coaching program where creators like you can grow with the help of the best YouTube minds
So, sign up for the vidIQ coaching program and let your YouTube dreams come true!
When you have zero subscribers, 500 seems like a massive number. But building a community of a few hundred people is more than possible! If you post videos consistently, be authentic, and approach YouTube with the mindset of "serving" an audience, you'll reach 500 subs. It's only a matter of time, especially if you engage with viewers along the way.
And remember, don't try to skip ahead by buying 500 YouTube subscribers. These viewers won't be real supporters that you can serve, engage, and monetize.
But if you are ready to monetize your channel (and do it with video ads), you'll need many more fans.
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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