If you are dreaming of turning your passion for video into a paycheck, you’re not alone. Millions of creators are monetizing their content on YouTube-but how do they get there? How many subscribers do you actually need to make money?
YouTube’s Monetization Requirements
To start earning directly from YouTube (through ads, memberships, and other features) you’ll need to join the Youtube Partner Program (YPP), This unlocks Monetization tools, but first, you must meet one of the following sets of criteria:
Option 1:
• 1,000 subscribers
• 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months
Option 2 (Short-focused-creators):
• 1,000 subscribers
• 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days
Once you meet either requirement, you can apply for YouTube Partner Program. If approved, you’re officially eligible to earn revenue through YouTube’s built-in monetization tools.
How Do You Make Money On Youtube?
Once you’re in the YPP, you can earn money through:
1. Ad Revenue
Youtube places ads on your videos and pays you a portion of the income. This includes:
• Pre-roll ads
• Mid-roll ads
• Display ads
• Shorts ads (if eligible)
2. Channel Memberships
Fans can pay a monthly fee to access exclusive perks on your channel.
3. Super Chat And Super Stickers
If you live stream, viewers can donate money in exchange for highlighted messages.
4. Youtube Premium RevenueÂ
You can earn a share of the subscription fee when Premium members watch your content.
5. Merchandise Shelf
If you’re eligible, you can sell branded merch directly below your videos.
Bonus: Make Money Without Monetization
Even if you haven’t hit 1.000 subscribers yet, you can still earn through:
• Sponserships: Partner with brands to promote products
• Affiliate Marketing: Get commissions for recommending tools or products
• Crowdfunding: Platforms like Patreon let fans support your content
• Digital Products: Sell courses, presets, ebooks, or coaching
Many small creators start earning below hitting 1.000 subscribers using these methods.
How Much Can You Earn?
Income on Youtube varies wildly depending on your niche, location, and viewer engagement. On avarage, creators earn around $1 to 5$ per 1.000 views from ads revenue. For example:
• A video with 100,000 views might bring in $100 to $500
• In high-paying niches (like finance or tech), it could be much more
