Monetizing Your YouTube Channel: A Beginner’s Guide

You want to make money off of your creativity by monetizing your YouTube channel. Become a member.

With 2.7 billion monthly viewers who scroll, click, and binge-watch video like there’s no tomorrow, YouTube is the most popular platform for producers worldwide in 2026. The worst part is that becoming viral is no longer the only way to make money on YouTube.

The 2026 YouTube monetization guidelines have changed, giving small creators more opportunities but tightening regulations for major producers. This tutorial will explain what YouTube monetization actually entails, the most recent qualifying requirements, and how technologies might facilitate the process.

Requirements to Monetize Your YouTube Channel

So what are the requirements to get monetized on YouTube in 2025? The good news: YouTube has lowered the bar for entry while still keeping a few guardrails in place to ensure quality content.

Here’s what you need to unlock monetization:

• 500 subscribers – This is the new minimum subscribers for YouTube monetization under the early-access tier of the YouTube Partner Program.
• 3 public uploads in the last 90 days – YouTube wants proof that your channel is alive and active.
• Either 3,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months OR 3 million Shorts views in 90 days – Yes, Shorts views now count toward eligibility. A game-changer for creators who thrive on bite-sized content.
• Comply with YouTube guidelines for monetization – Your channel must follow all of YouTube’s community guidelines, copyright rules, and advertiser-friendly policies.
• Link an AdSense account – No AdSense, no paycheck. It’s as simple as that.

Pro Tip: These thresholds unlock fan funding tools like Super Thanks, Super Chat, and channel memberships. But if you’re aiming for ads revenue sharing, you’ll still need the higher bar of 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days.

This tiered system means smaller creators can start earning sooner while scaling up to full YT monetization as their channels grow.

The YouTube Monetization Process (Step-by-Step)

Let’s discuss how to monetize YouTube videos step-by-step now that you are aware of the prerequisites for YouTube monetization in 2026. Here’s how to begin:

1. Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

This is your ticket to unlock monetization features.

• Go to YouTube Studio > Earn (this is the new tab replacing “Monetization” in 2026).
• Click Apply and review the YouTube guidelines for monetization carefully.
• Connect your AdSense account (or set one up if you don’t have it).
• Wait for YouTube to review your channel. Approval can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Pro tip: You can check your YouTube monetization eligibility under the Earn tab to see how close you are to the thresholds.

2. Turn On Monetization for Your Videos

Once approved, you can decide how to monetize YouTube videos:

• In YouTube Studio, select Content from the left menu.
• Choose a video, click Edit, and go to the Monetization tab.
• Toggle monetization ON and select the types of ads (pre-roll, mid-roll, display, etc.).
• Click Save.

3. Unlock Fan Funding Tools

At the lower threshold (500 subs), you can enable:

• Super Chat & Super Stickers for live streams
• Super Thanks on videos
• Channel Memberships for exclusive content

4. Monitor Your Revenue

Head to YouTube Studio > Analytics > Revenue to track earnings. Here you’ll find breakdowns for ads, fan funding, and the new YouTube Shorts revenue sharing model (introduced in 2023).

Ways to Make Money on YouTube in 2026

So, you’ve crossed the YouTube monetization threshold—now how do you actually start earning? The platform has expanded far beyond basic ads, offering creators multiple streams of income.

Let’s break down how to monetize YouTube videos effectively in 2026:

Google Ads

The initiation to make money on YouTube starts with joining the YouTube Partner Program. This YouTube partnership provides content creators with special tools to monetize their videos via Google AdSense.

For this purpose, content creators must fulfill some criteria, such as having 1000 subscribers and 4000 hours of watch time over the past 12 months. YouTube monetizes videos through specific tools such as display, pre-roll, and other advertising tools.

Advertisers consider clicks and impressions for the payment. The division of money between content creators and YouTube occurs in a 55-45 ratio, i.e., 55% of the money goes to the content creators, and 45% goes to YouTube.

The thing that you need to take care of is the YouTube Ads guidelines. Your content should not contain foul language, adult content, violence, or any other subjects which are unethical and illegal, or else your videos will not have ads placed against them.

Brand Sponsorships

One way of profit-making in advertising is through ‘influencer marketing, also known in digital marketing as brand sponsorships. Companies sometimes pay content creators to promote their products or brand through video.

Read Also: How Bloggers Make Money: From Ads to Affiliate Links

For example, you can sometimes find a famous make-up artist promoting a cosmetics brand or product through a make-up looks video.

Merchandise Sales

Selling merch? YouTube integrates with platforms like Shopify, Spreadshop, Spring, and Printify, and also supports creators using Redbubble or other POD providers, so you can showcase products directly under your videos.

• No item limit in 2025: Unlike the old cap of 12 products, you can now sell as many as your partner allows.
• Perfect for creators who want to turn their channel into a storefront.

YouTube Shorts Revenue Sharing

Monetization on YouTube isn’t just for long videos anymore. Since 2023, creators can earn from ads shown between Shorts in the feed.

• You need 10 million Shorts views in 90 days to access full ads revenue.
• At lower tiers (500 subs), focus on fan funding tools to monetize Shorts viewers.

Fan Funding (Super Tools)

YouTube has leaned hard into creator support features:

• Super Chat & Super Stickers: Fans pay to highlight messages during live streams.
• Super Thanks: Viewers tip directly on regular videos.
• Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive perks for a monthly fee.

These are available as soon as you hit the early monetization requirements YouTube set in 2024 (500 subs + 3 public uploads).

YouTube Best Practices to Maximize Monetization

Hitting the YouTube monetization threshold is just the beginning. To grow your revenue streams and keep your channel eligible, you need to play smart.

Here’s how to optimize your content and strategy to earn more from every upload:

1. Follow YouTube Guidelines for Monetization

If you want to stay monetized on YouTube, compliance isn’t optional.

• Avoid copyrighted music and visuals unless you have explicit permission.
• Stick to advertiser-friendly content: no excessive profanity, violence, or misleading claims.
• Regularly review updates to YouTube rules for monetization in Creator Studio’s Earn tab.
  

2. Nail Your Niche

YouTube loves channels with focus. Whether you’re into gaming, education, or lifestyle vlogs, stay consistent with your niche to:

• Attract subscribers faster (essential for YouTube monetization eligibility)
• Help YouTube’s algorithm recommend your content to the right viewers

Pro tip: Use Google Keyword Planner to find topics your audience is actively searching for and optimize your tags, titles, and descriptions.

3. Prioritize Shorts & Vertical Content

The rise of Shorts changed the game for small creators.

• Aim for 3 million Shorts views in 90 days to unlock early monetization tools.
• Keep videos vertical (9:16) and hook viewers in the first 3 seconds to stop the scroll.

4. Live Stream for Engagement and Revenue

Live streaming is one of the fastest ways to build loyal fans and boost earnings.

• Use Super Chat, Stickers, and Thanks to monetize live interactions.
• Sell products in real time with YouTube’s Live Shopping feature.

5. Optimize for Mobile Viewers

Over 70% of YouTube watch time comes from mobile. Ensure:

• Text and overlays are large enough to read on a small screen.
• Thumbnails are bold and clear at smaller sizes.
• End screens and CTAs encourage subscriptions and engagement.
  

6. Post Consistently & Promote Everywhere

• Stick to a posting schedule to train the algorithm and your audience.
• Share your videos across Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to drive traffic back to YouTube.
• Build an email list to alert subscribers when you upload or go live.

Finally

It’s easier than ever to monetize your YouTube channel in 2026, but it’s also more competitive. From YouTube Shorts income sharing to fan funding methods like Super Chat and channel memberships, the new YouTube monetization criteria reward creators that balance consistency and originality.