How To Monetize Your YouTube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting monetized on YouTube is a big milestone for every creator, whether you’re aiming for a side hustle, a full-time career, or even a business. There are many ways to earn money on YouTube from ads to affiliate marketing and the possibilities are endless. But how do you make sure you’re doing it sustainably? This guide will cover the basics of how to monetize your YouTube channel, including helpful tips, policies, and what to do if your application is rejected.

What is YouTube Monetization?

YouTube monetization as the name suggests, is a way for content creators to earn money from their videos on YouTube. Creators can monetize their YouTube channels in many ways like ads, channel memberships, super chat and merchandise shelf. However, to start monetizing your YouTube channel, you need to be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).

YouTube Partner Programme (YPP)

Getting accepted in YouTube Partner Programme is a major setup for any creator on YouTube. As a part of YPP, creators have the opportunity to monetise their content, receive email and chat support and gain access to the Copyright Match Tool that will help to protect their content.

So how can you become eligible for YPP? One the main eligibility requirement for YPP is to adhere to the YouTube monetisation policies that includes YouTube’s Community Guidelines, Terms of Service and the Google AdSense programme policies.

What do you need to join YPP?

• You must adhere to YouTube Channel Monetization policies and guidelines and comply with them when accepting a partner agreement with YouTube.
• Should live in a country or region where YPP is available.
• Should have no active Community Guidelines strike on your channel as any history of violating community guidelines and polices can lead to disqualification from YPP.
• Make sure 2-Step Verification is turned on for your Google Account.
• You should have access to the advanced features of YouTube. 
• Should have an AdSense account linked to their YouTube channel.

YouTube Partner Program (YPP) Eligibility Criteria

Now, once you have checked all the above points, your channel can become eligible for YPP with either YouTube shorts or long-form videos. Here are the thresholds and eligibility requirements for joining YPP.

If you want to make money through Channel Memberships, Super Chat and Super Stickers, Super Thanks and Shopping, the minimum channel requirements are:

• 500 subscribers
• 3 public uploads in the last 90 days
• 3,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 365 days or 3 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days

If you want to make money through ads, the minimum channel requirements are:

• 1,000 subscribers
• 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 365 days or 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days

Now, the good thing about this is that once you enter the YPP, even with 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours, you don’t need to apply again after hitting 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. You will simply unlock the revenue tools you didn’t have before.

How to Join YPP?

You are ready to join the YPP once you have met all of YouTube’s requirements. To apply for YPP, simply go to YouTube Studio and click on “Earn”.

Now, here you can see how much watch time you have and how many subscribers you have gained. Once you are eligible for YPP, you can apply on this page.

Things to Avoid If You Want to Monetize YouTube Content Effectively

1. Controversial or False Statements

Remember to be responsible while creating your content. Making misleading comments just to create a controversy can backfire.

2. Using Too Much Bad Language

Saying a few swear words might be okay but using a lot of obscene language can get you flagged.

3. Misleading Thumbnails

Always make sure that your thumbnail matches with your video content. For example, if your video is about cleaning a wash basin, don’t use a thumbnail of a cute puppy.

4. Shocking Content

Avoid adding any shocking or controversial content without a good reason in your video. Although it is not a deal-breaker, but advertisers prefer to stay away from content that can be of a poor taste or unnecessarily provocative.

What will Happen if YouTube Partner Program Rejects You?

If your first application got rejected, don’t worry. You can still appeal the decision within 21 days or re-apply after 30 days. If this isn’t the time you got rejected, then you can try again after 90 days.

The reason for rejection could be that YouTube reviewers probably found a major part of your channel doesn’t follow their rules and guidelines. So, before reapplying, take some time and review these guidelines and make sure your content aligns with it.

Top Ways to Monetize Your YouTube Channel

1. YouTube Ads

The most common way for creators to earn money on YouTube is advertising. When people watch ads running on your videos, you can money from it. This revenue earned from the ads is shared between YouTube and you, so you can directly profit from your work.

This is the simplest, convenient and widely used way of making money on YouTube. You can control the placement of the ads through the various YouTube ad formats available. These ads usually appear before or during a video.  

2. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another most used way for creators to earn money. In simple words, affiliate marketing means promoting products and services of other brands and earning a commission on every successful sale.

Doing affiliate marketing on YouTube does not require you to be a part of YPP. You can simply place your affiliate links in your video description. Here’s how you can get started:

The first thing to do is signup for an affiliate program, like the Amazon Associate Program, whose products you can promote and earn a commission.

Now, choose the products you like and only promote them so that your recommendations feel natural.

The next step is to put those products links in your video description. Most affiliate programs will give you unique links that you can use. Mention the product in your video and encourage viewers to click on the link.

By promoting relevant products in your videos, you can earn significant income from your YouTube channel.

3. Channel Memberships

Channel memberships allow fans to support a creator with monthly payments and get access to exclusive perks like badges, custom emojis and special content. However, this feature availability is limited to some countries right now.

4. Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks

Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks allow creators to engage with their community and earn money. Fans can buy and send text or digital stickers messages to highlight their live chat messages and connect with their favorite creators.

5. YouTube Premium

Once you are in YPP, you are eligible for YouTube Premium revenue. YouTube Premium allows users to watch ad free videos while still supporting the creators. You will earn a portion of the viewer’s subscription fee if they watch your content. Money earned from YouTube Premium is shared with the creators based on the watch time of their content.

6. YouTube Shorts

Creators can now earn money from ads shown between Shorts videos, replacing the YouTube Shorts Fund. To qualify, you need:

• 1,000 subscribers and 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days, or
• 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours on long-form videos.

Here’s how Shorts ad revenue sharing works:

• Pool Revenue: Each month, ad revenue from the Shorts Feed is collected to reward creators and cover music licensing costs.
• Calculate Creator Pool: The revenue is divided based on views and music usage. If your Short doesn’t use music, all the revenue from its views goes into the Creator Pool. If it uses music, the revenue is split between the Creator Pool and music partners.
• Allocate Revenue: The money in the Creator Pool is then shared with creators based on their share of total views in each country.
• Apply Revenue Share: Creators keep 45% of their allocated revenue, whether they use music or not.

Conclusion

Monetizing your YouTube channel can turn your passion into a profitable venture. By following the steps in this guide and using different revenue streams you can create a steady income. Remember success on YouTube takes consistency, creativity and knowing the platform’s rules.

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