YouTube creators have earned a staggering $50 billion through the Partner Program in the last three years. This incredible figure shows why learning about YouTube monetization requirements could help you tap into this earning potential.
The possibilities will excite both newcomers and established content creators. YouTube channels can generate $2 to $25 per 1,000 views based on their audience engagement and ad formats. Content creators have multiple revenue streams available through Super Chat, channel memberships, and affiliate marketing opportunities.
The platform has simplified its earning requirements significantly. Starting in 2025, creators will need 1,000 subscribers combined with either 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views to join the Partner Program. Your channel could become a steady income source. Let’s explore the steps you need to take to monetize your YouTube content.
Understand How YouTube Monetization Works
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YouTube monetization changes your content creation from a hobby into a way to make money. Learning about this process is a vital step before you look at the specific requirements to qualify.
What is monetization on YouTube?
YouTube monetization is the system that lets creators make money from their content through different features. The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is the foundation that gives eligible creators access to various ways to earn money. This program lets you make money directly from your videos while YouTube takes its share of that revenue.
The YPP gives you access to several ways to earn money. Showing advertisements on your videos is the main goal – you get a percentage of the money these ads make. It also lets you earn through channel memberships, merchandise sales, Super Chat, Super Thanks, and YouTube Premium revenue sharing.
How does YouTube pay creators?
The payment system follows a clear timeline. Your earnings need to hit the payment threshold ($100) by the end of each month. A payment processing period starts after that, and then your earnings show up in your AdSense for YouTube account.
Let’s say your account hits the $100 mark in January. YouTube would send your payment at the end of February if you’ve done everything needed. You need to:
- Confirm your personal information
- Share your tax information
- Select a payment method
- Meet the payment threshold
YouTube gives creators 68% of the AdSense revenue. This means you get $68 when advertisers pay Google $100 for ads. The money you make per video depends on things like:
- Number of views
- Viewer engagement with ads
- Your content niche
- Ad formats displayed
The money you earned last month appears in your AdSense account between the 7th and 12th of each month. YouTube sends payments between the 21st and 26th.
Minimum video length for YouTube monetization
In stark comparison to what many believe, YouTube has no minimum length requirement to monetize videos. You can make money from videos of any length, even 30-second ones, as long as they follow YouTube’s monetization guidelines.
Longer videos tend to make more money because they have room for more ads. Videos longer than 8 minutes are a big deal as it means that they can include mid-roll ads. Videos between 8-12 minutes work best with 1-2 mid-roll ads to balance money and viewer experience.
YouTube Shorts work differently for making money. They generate ad revenue directly and can earn YouTube Premium money too. The quickest way to succeed is to focus on quality and viewer engagement instead of making videos longer just to hit certain lengths.
These basics of YouTube monetization help prepare you to take the next step: meeting the specific requirements to join the YouTube Partner Program in 2025.
Check the 2025 Monetization Requirements
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YouTube’s revenue potential depends on understanding its latest eligibility criteria. The platform updates its requirements frequently, so staying informed about current standards is vital.
New YouTube monetization requirements 2025
YouTube implemented an updated ad suitability review process in March 2025. This system helps creators get more accurate monetization decisions. The new process applies to all uploads, including private ones, and decisions can take up to 24 hours.
YouTube’s Partner Program (YPP) features two monetization tiers with different thresholds and earning opportunities:
- Basic Tier (Fan Funding Access):
- 500 subscribers
- 3 public videos uploaded in the past 90 days
- Either 3,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months OR 3 million public Shorts views in the past 90 days
- Full Access Tier (Ad Revenue Sharing):
- 1,000 subscribers
- Either 4,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months OR 10 million public Shorts views in the past 90 days
Your channel must also follow YouTube’s monetization policies, which include guidelines about repetitive and reused content. Videos that look duplicated or templated might not qualify for monetization.
Requirements for monetization on YouTube Shorts
Shorts monetization follows its own path. Here’s what you need to start earning:
- Get 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public Shorts views within 90 days
- Accept the Shorts Monetization Module terms
- Create content that meets advertiser-friendly guidelines
Approved creators receive 45% of the allocated revenue from the Creator Pool, whatever music their Shorts use. Remember that revenue sharing only counts views after you accept the Shorts Monetization Module terms.
YouTube continues to refine its Shorts monetization approach. Revenue distribution depends on each creator’s share of total engaged views per country. The platform encourages creators to explore various revenue streams beyond ads.
What are the minimum requirements for monetization on YouTube?
Every creator needs to meet these basic requirements, along with view and subscriber thresholds:
- Live in a country where YPP is available
- Follow all YouTube channel monetization policies
- Have no active Community Guidelines strikes
- Enable two-step verification on your Google account
- Have advanced features access on YouTube
- Create an AdSense for YouTube account or link an existing one
- Produce original content without duplication or repetition
Yes, it is important to note that breaking these guidelines, particularly through repetitive content or copying other creators’ material, can lead to your channel’s complete demonetization.
The standard review process takes about a month after meeting these requirements. YouTube’s automated systems and human reviewers check if your content meets all platform policies.
Rejected applications allow you to try again in 30 days. Multiple rejections mean waiting 90 days before your next attempt.
Prepare Your Channel for Monetization
You must take several significant steps to prepare your channel for YouTube monetization after meeting the simple eligibility requirements. The right security measures and platform guidelines can determine whether YouTube approves or rejects your application.
Enable 2-step verification and link AdSense
YouTube Partner Program requires a secure account. Two-step verification makes it much harder for unauthorized users to access your account. Here’s how to set up this security feature:
- Go to your Google Account settings
- Head to the “Security” tab
- Turn on “2-Step Verification.”
The next priority is linking an AdSense for YouTube account after securing your channel. This connection determines how you’ll receive payments. Getting a new AdSense account approved usually takes several days, but can extend to 2-3 weeks. You should complete this step well before applying to the Partner Program. Multiple YouTube channels can link to a single AdSense account if you run several content streams.
Follow YouTube guidelines for monetization
YouTube’s monetization policies apply to your whole channel, not just individual videos. These include:
- Community Guidelines adherence
- YouTube Terms of Service compliance
- AdSense Program Policies
- Original content creation (no duplicative material)
YouTube enforces these policies strictly. Your channel’s monetization could be disabled if you consistently create content that breaks these guidelines. YouTube might terminate all your accounts if you try to bypass these restrictions by creating new channels.
Avoid copyright and community strikes
Strikes can derail your monetization experience. Copyright strikes happen when content owners submit legal removal requests for unauthorized use of their material. Community strikes occur when your content breaks YouTube’s Community Guidelines.
Violations escalate this way:
- First violation: Usually results in a warning
- Second violation: Receives a formal strike with temporary restrictions
- Three strikes within 90 days: Channel termination
Copyright strikes limit your live streaming for 7 days after the first strike and 14 days after the second. Each strike expires after 90 days without additional violations.
Creating original content or getting proper permissions for third-party material protects your channel. Note that crediting original creators doesn’t automatically give you usage rights.
Apply and Get Approved for the YouTube Partner Program
Ready to join the YouTube Partner Program? Let’s start the application process after you meet the eligibility criteria. The process is simple, but you’ll need YouTube’s approval through a detailed review.
How to apply for monetization in YouTube Studio
You can submit your application in just a few minutes. Here’s what you need to do:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio
- From the left sidebar, select “Earn”
- Click “Apply Now” to begin the process
- Review and accept the YouTube Partner Program base terms
- Set up a new AdSense for YouTube account or link an existing active one
The “In Progress” status will appear in the “Get Reviewed” section once you submit your application. The YouTube Studio mobile app lets you apply, but you’ll need a web browser to access all monetization features after approval.
How long does it take to get monetized on YouTube?
YouTube takes about a month to review applications. They handle applications in order of submission, so you’ll need some patience. Several things can make this process longer:
- High volumes of applications
- System issues or technical problems
- Resource limitations
- Cases that need multiple reviews when reviewers disagree about channel eligibility
YouTube’s review process is meticulous. Their automated systems and human reviewers assess your channel’s content against monetization policies and guidelines.
What happens if your application is rejected?
A rejected application isn’t the end of the road. YouTube will send you an email that explains which policies your channel didn’t meet. This helps you understand what needs fixing. Your next steps depend on your situation:
- First-time rejection: You can appeal within 21 days or wait 30 days to try again
- Subsequent rejections: A 90-day waiting period applies before your next application
Keep your videos up during the appeal process because reviewers look at your channel’s current state. YouTube responds to appeals within 14 days. Successful appeals lead to YPP approval within 30 days.
Content that doesn’t line up with YouTube’s monetization policies causes most rejections. Use your waiting time to improve content quality, fix policy issues, and grow your audience. These steps boost your approval chances next time.
Start Earning: Monetization Features You Can Use
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YouTube opens up several ways to make money once they approve your Partner Program application. Let’s look at the main revenue streams you can turn on for your channel.
Ad revenue and YouTube Premium
The YouTube Partner Program lets you earn money from ads shown on your videos. YouTube gives creators 55% of net ad revenues for standard videos. Shorts creators get a 45% share based on their portion of views from the Creator Pool.
YouTube Premium brings another revenue stream. These subscribers don’t see ads, but YouTube shares part of their subscription fees with creators based on watch time. YouTube Premium now has 100 million subscribers and generated $14.50 billion in 2024 alone.
Super Chat, Super Thanks, and memberships
Your viewers can support you directly through fan funding features:
- Super Thanks: Viewers can buy animated GIFs that show up on your videos with colorful comments. Prices range from $2 to $50. This works for both regular videos and Shorts.
- Super Chat & Stickers: Your live stream viewers can pay to highlight their messages.
- Channel memberships: Your fans pay monthly fees to get exclusive perks like badges, emojis, and members-only content.
Creators keep 70% of net revenues from these features after taxes and app store fees. You’ll need to sign the Commerce Product Module in YouTube Studio to start using these options.
Affiliate marketing and product sales
Affiliate marketing helps you earn commissions when you promote products in your videos. You can add affiliate links in descriptions and tag products right in your content. The great thing about affiliate marketing is that you don’t need to be in the Partner Program – it’s open to everyone.
YouTube Shopping lets you connect your store to YouTube or tag items from other brands. You can also sell your own merchandise like branded clothing, digital products, or handmade items.
YouTube Analytics helps you track how well your tagged products perform. This can be quite profitable – creators typically earn between $100 and $5,000 monthly from affiliate sales.
Conclusion
YouTube monetization can create the most important earning opportunities through revenue streams of all types. Creators who meet the 2025 requirements can access ad revenue sharing, Premium earnings, Super features, and channel memberships. These requirements include 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views.
Your channel’s success relies on original content that aligns with YouTube’s guidelines and strong security measures. The application process takes time, but creators who stay patient and persistent see results. Most content creators start with simple monetization features. They then grow their revenue through affiliate marketing and merchandise sales.
Monetization marks the start of your YouTube trip. Great channels thrive on authentic audience connections, quality content, and awareness of platform updates. Your channel’s growth and earnings will improve when you consistently deliver valuable content to your viewers.
