YouTube is the world’s most popular video platform, attracting both professionals and amateurs, and it offers incredible opportunities to earn income if you know how to use it right. For many creators, getting monetized is a key milestone, it can be the start of a side hustle, a full-time career, or even the foundation of a larger business. With so many possibilities, the question becomes: how can you monetize your YouTube channel in a way that’s sustainable and long-term?
Key Takeaways:
In this blog, we’re going to cover the essentials of YouTube monetization in 2025. By the end, you’ll know:
What YouTube Monetization Means – How creators earn through ads, memberships, merch, and more. It’s the foundation of turning content into income.
Eligibility Rules & Tiers – Tier 1 starts at 500 subscribers with fan funding features, while Tier 2 at 1,000 subscribers unlocks ad revenue and YouTube Premium earnings.
Policies & Guidelines – Staying monetized requires compliance with Community Guidelines, copyright laws, originality standards, and advertiser-friendly policies.
How AdSense Works – Learn the difference between CPM (what advertisers pay) and RPM (what you actually earn) to track and maximize your revenue.
Revenue Streams Beyond Ads – From memberships and Super Chats to youtube merch, brand deals, and affiliate links, multiple streams ensure stable earnings.
Tips for Long-Term Success – Build a loyal audience, diversify your monetization strategies, and treat your channel like a real business for lasting growth.
What is YouTube Monetization?
YouTube monetization is the process of earning money from your YouTube channel by allowing ads, memberships, or other revenue-generating features on your content. In simple terms, it’s how creators get paid for the videos they upload.
The most common way is through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), where you earn ad revenue once you meet certain requirements (like subscribers, watch hours, and policy compliance). But monetization isn’t limited to ads, you can also earn through channel memberships, Super Chats, Super Stickers, YouTube Premium revenue, merchandise sales, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
YouTube Monetization Requirements
While there are a few off-platform ways to earn, the majority of YouTube monetization happens through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). As of September 2025, the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) offers a multi-tiered system designed to help creators start earning sooner. To qualify, you must meet the eligibility rules for one of two tiers, as well as adhere to YouTube’s core channel policies.
Tier 1: Early Monetization
This initial tier unlocks features that allow your audience to support you directly through payments and purchases, even before you are eligible for ad revenue.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify, your channel must meet all of the following criteria:
- 500 Subscribers
- 3,000 public watch hours (in the last 12 months) OR 3 Million public Shorts views (in the last 90 days)
- At least 3 public uploads in the last 90 days
- An active, linked AdSense account
- 2-Step Verification enabled on your Google account
- Reside in a country where the YPP is available
- Full compliance with YouTube’s Channel Monetization Policies and Community Guidelines
Features Unlocked:
- Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive perks for a monthly fee.
- Super Chat & Super Stickers: Let fans pay to highlight messages during live streams.
- Super Thanks: Allow viewers to tip you directly on your videos and Shorts.
- YouTube Shopping: Connect your own merch store to sell products.
Tier 2: Full Monetization with Ad Revenue
This is the traditional, full YPP tier that unlocks all monetization features, including a share of the revenue from advertisements and YouTube Premium.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify, you must meet all the requirements from Tier 1, plus the following higher thresholds:
- 1,000 Subscribers
- 4,000 public watch hours (in the last 12 months) OR 10 Million public Shorts views (in the last 90 days)
Features Unlocked:
- Everything from Tier 1 (Memberships, Supers, Shopping).
- Watch Page Ad Revenue: Earn from ads shown on your long-form videos.
- Shorts Feed Ad Revenue: Earn from ads viewed between Shorts.
- YouTube Premium Revenue: Get a share of subscription fees from Premium viewers who watch your content
Fundamental Rules for YouTube Monetization
Meeting the subscriber and watch time thresholds is only the first step to earning money on YouTube. To be accepted into, and remain in, the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), your channel is thoroughly reviewed by a human team to ensure it complies with the following key rules and policies at all times.
1. Adherence to YouTube Community Guidelines
Your content must be safe for all viewers. This means no harmful, hateful, violent, or misleading content, and you must avoid harassment, misinformation, and dangerous challenges. Crucially, your channel must have no active Community Guidelines strikes to be eligible to apply.
2. Originality and Channel Monetization Policies
Your content must be original, authentic, and add significant value. Policies are strictly enforced against reused, repetitive, or low-effort, automatically generated content. As of July 2025, there is stricter enforcement on low-quality AI-generated content that doesn’t provide original commentary or educational value.
3. Respect for Copyright and Ownership
You must only upload videos, music, and images that you either own or have the legal rights to use. This includes avoiding unlicensed clips, music, or images, even in short-form content like Shorts. Your channel will be rejected if it relies on content created by others without adding your own creative contribution.
4. Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines
To earn ad revenue, your content must be suitable for a wide range of advertisers. This means avoiding excessive profanity (especially in titles and thumbnails) and staying away from shocking, sexually suggestive, or explicit content that could limit your channel’s ad revenue.
5. Account and Technical Requirements
Your channel and account must be in good standing. This requires you to:
- Link one active Google AdSense account to receive payments.
- Enable 2-Step Verification on your Google account for security.
- Live in a country where the YPP is available (such as India).
- Avoid any form of artificial engagement, including click fraud or fake traffic.
The Human Review Process
When you apply for monetization, the YouTube review team conducts a holistic check of your channel. They focus on what your channel represents as a whole, specifically looking at your main theme, most-viewed videos, newest videos, the largest proportion of watch time, and video metadata (titles, thumbnails, and descriptions) to ensure your channel is a good fit for the program.
How to Apply to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
Once your channel meets the monetization eligibility requirements, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) directly through YouTube Studio. The process is the same whether you are on a desktop or mobile device.
Where and How to Apply
- Sign in to YouTube.
- Click your profile picture, then select YouTube Studio.
- In the left-hand menu, click on the Earn tab.
- If you are eligible, click Apply Now to begin the process.
- Review and accept the Base Terms.
- Set up a new AdSense account or link your existing active one.
- Once these steps are complete, your application status will show as “In Progress” under the “Get Reviewed” step, which means we have your application.
How Your Application is Reviewed
After you submit your application, your channel automatically enters a review queue. Both automated systems and human reviewers will evaluate your channel to ensure it complies with all policies.
The review focuses on your channel’s overall content, including:
- Your main theme
- Most-viewed and most recent videos
- Thumbnails, titles, and descriptions
- Compliance with Community Guidelines, YPP policies, and Advertiser-Friendly rules
YouTube typically responds with a decision within about one month, though this can sometimes take longer.
What to Do If You're Rejected
If your application isn’t successful, YouTube will provide specific reasons. You have a clear path to strengthen your channel and try again.
- First Rejection: You can appeal the decision within 21 days, or you can re-apply after 30 days.
- Second or Later Rejection: You can still appeal, but you must wait 90 days before you can re-apply.
This waiting period is designed to give you sufficient time to fix any issues on your channel, such as copyright claims, reused content, or videos that violate YouTube’s policies.
Trying to figure out your profit on Print on Demand?
AdSense and YouTube: How It Works
YouTube monetization is powered by Google AdSense, the platform that processes payments from advertisers and pays you for the ads shown on your content. Once you are in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), this system allows you to earn revenue, but understanding how it works is key to maximizing your income.
How You Earn Money from Ads
You earn a share of the revenue every time an ad is shown on your videos. However, the amount you earn is not fixed; it depends on several factors that determine your content’s value to advertisers.
Audience Demographics:
The age, gender, and location of your viewers are critical. Advertisers pay more to reach audiences in countries with higher purchasing power.
Content Niche:
Topics like finance, tech, and business attract higher-paying ads than some entertainment or comedy niches.
Viewer Engagement:
High audience retention and engagement signal to YouTube that your content is valuable, which can lead to better ad performance.
Key Metrics: Understanding RPM vs. CPM
To track your earnings, you need to understand two essential metrics in your YouTube Analytics.
RPM (Revenue Per Mille):
What YOU Earn RPM is your total revenue from all sources (ads, Memberships, Super Thanks, etc.) for every 1,000 video views. This is the most important metric for you, as it reflects the actual income you receive after YouTube’s revenue share.
CPM (Cost Per Mille):
What ADVERTISERS Pay CPM is the cost to advertisers for every 1,000 ad impressions on your videos, before YouTube takes its cut. Think of this as the “gross” price advertisers are willing to pay to be on your channel. Your RPM will always be lower than your CPM.
Different Ways to Monetizing on YouTube
While YouTube AdSense is the foundation of earning money on the platform, its fluctuating rates make it an unreliable sole source of income. Successful creators build stability by diversifying their revenue streams. Here’s a breakdown of the primary ways to earn money both within the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and independently.
Part 1: Core YouTube Partner Program (YPP) Revenue
These are the primary methods of earning money directly from YouTube after being accepted into the YPP.
Ad Revenue
Once monetized, you earn a share of the revenue from ads shown on your content. This is divided into two main types:
Watch Page Ads:
These are the traditional ads that appear before, during, after, and around your long-form videos and live streams.
Shorts Feed Ads:
These ads appear between videos in the Shorts feed. The revenue is pooled and shared with creators based on their share of total Shorts views, with a portion also covering music licensing costs.
YouTube Premium Revenue
When a viewer with a YouTube Premium subscription watches your content, you receive a portion of their subscription fee. This applies to all of your videos and provides a supplemental income stream from your ad-free viewers.
Part 2: Direct Fan Support & Commerce
These YPP features, available at the earlier tier (500 subscribers), allow your most dedicated fans to support you directly. YouTube generally takes a 30% share of this revenue.
Fan Funding Features
Channel Memberships
Channel Memberships allow your audience to join your channel with a monthly subscription. In return, they get access to perks like loyalty badges, exclusive emojis, and special members-only content. This creates a sense of belonging and builds a closer community around your channel. It’s a reliable way to generate recurring income from your most loyal fans.
Super Chat & Super Stickers
Super Chat and Super Stickers make live streams and Premieres more interactive. Viewers can pay to highlight their messages through Super Chat or send fun animated stickers to grab attention. These features encourage real-time engagement and make fans feel noticed. For creators, it’s both a revenue stream and a way to strengthen audience connections.
Super Thanks
Super Thanks lets viewers show extra support on regular videos and Shorts. With a one-time payment, they unlock a colorful animation that highlights their comment on your content. This gives fans a fun way to express appreciation beyond just likes and shares. For creators, it’s an easy tool to earn while rewarding loyal viewers.
YouTube Shopping
Monetizing a YouTube channel isn’t limited to ad revenue alone. Selling your own custom merchandise like t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, or phone cases is one of the most reliable ways to build a strong income stream while strengthening your personal brand. YouTube makes this easier with YouTube Shopping for eligible creators, but even if you’re not part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) yet, you can still set up your merch business using an external store.
Let’s break down the different ways you can sell merch and how to get started:
1. Selling Merch Through YouTube Shopping (YPP Creators)
If you’re in the YouTube Partner Program, you get access to YouTube Shopping. This feature allows you to connect your online store from approved platforms (like Shopify, Spreadshop, Spring, etc.) and display your products directly on YouTube.
Your merch can appear:
- Below your videos in the merch shelf.
- On end screens or pinned in live chat during streams.
- On your channel’s store tab for easy browsing.
YouTube itself doesn’t take a commission from these sales. However, your chosen merch provider will have its own base costs and service fees. This setup is highly convenient because it integrates seamlessly with your content and encourages impulse buying from viewers.
2. Selling Merch Without YPP
If you’re not yet eligible for YPP, don’t worry, you can still sell merch through an external store. Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce let you create a branded online storefront where fans can browse and purchase your products.
The main difference is that viewers must click out of YouTube to buy. While this adds one extra step, it also gives you complete control over:
- Designs and product range
- Pricing and profit margins
- Customer experience and custom branding
This path is especially useful for small and growing creators. It allows you to start building your merch business early, even before you unlock YouTube’s built-in merch shelf. By the time you qualify for YPP, you’ll already have a solid product line and customer base.
Choosing the Best Way to Fulfill Your Orders
Once you’ve decided to sell merch, the next step is figuring out how to actually produce and ship it. The three most common options are:
- Printing and shipping everything yourself (high effort, high risk).
- Bulk ordering products and storing them (requires investment and inventory management).
- Print-on-Demand – the most popular choice for creators.
Why Print-on-Demand Works Best for YouTubers
With POD, you upload your designs and your fulfillment partner takes care of printing, packaging, shipping, and even handling returns whenever an order comes in.
Key advantages of POD:
- No upfront investment – you only pay when you sell something.
- No inventory headaches – products are created on demand.
- Automation – you focus on making content, your partner handles logistics.
Of course, there are trade-offs: you don’t directly control production, so ordering samples is essential to check quality before launch.
How to Choose the Right Print on Demand Partner
Not all POD companies are equal. Here’s what to look at before choosing:
- Product catalog: Do they offer items your audience will actually want? Popular picks include apparel, mugs, phone cases, posters, tote bags, and more.
- Profit margins: Your earnings = retail price – base cost. Compare providers to maximize your per-sale profit.
- Print quality: Protect your brand reputation by ordering samples. Check color vibrancy, print durability, and material quality.
- Integration options: If you’re in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), you can showcase merch directly under your videos using approved partners. If not, you’ll need an external store like Shopify or WooCommerce, which adds a step for buyers but gives you more control over pricing, branding, and design.
Know the actual cost of running a business using print on demand!
Why Qikink is the Best POD Choice for Indian YouTubers?
If you’re planning to launch your merch business in India, Qikink is one of the best POD partners available. It removes typical barriers like high setup costs, inventory management, and shipping logistics.
Here’s why Qikink stands out:
- Zero setup cost – Free sign-up, no documents, no minimum orders.
- Wide product range – Customizable products include apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, AOP apparel), accessories (mugs, phone cases, tote bags), plus home & living items like posters, notepads, coasters, and more
- Fast fulfillment – Standard orders ship in 2 days, AOP in 3–4 days. Delivery usually takes 3–5 working days.
- Eco-friendly packaging – Premium sustainable boxes with options like custom neck labels, tags, thank-you cards, stickers, and coupon inserts.
- Multiple printing methods – DTG, DTF, Sublimation, Vinyl, Embroidery, All over prints, etc.
- Zero RTO charges – Unlike many providers, Qikink covers undelivered/returned orders so you don’t lose money.
- Trusted by Indian brands – Many creators and small businesses vouch for their quality and reliability.
This combination makes Qikink especially attractive for Indian creators looking to start a merch line without heavy investments.
Steps to Launch Your Merch Store with Qikink
- Set Up Your Foundation
Sign up for a free Qikink account and connect it with Shopify or WooCommerce. This ensures your products and orders sync automatically. - Design and Upload Products
Create designs using Canva, AI tools, or hire freelancers. Upload your artwork to Qikink and use the “Push Product” feature to publish items with mockup generators directly to your store. - Set Pricing and Verify Quality
Decide on competitive pricing and integrate gateways like Razorpay for payments. Always order samples to confirm print, fabric, and delivery quality. - Launch and Market Your Brand
Go live and promote your store via social media, influencer collaborations, engaging content, or even paid ads to attract your first buyers. - Sell While Qikink Handles Fulfillment
Qikink takes care of printing, packaging, and shipping for every order. You stay focused on growing your channel and building your brand.
Part 3: Independent Revenue Streams
These methods allow you to earn money outside of YouTube’s direct payment system, giving you more control and stability.
Brand Deals & Sponsorships
You earn money by featuring a brand’s product or service in a video. This is a highly lucrative method accessible to creators of all sizes; consistent views and a strong community are often more important than a massive subscriber count. Creators can earn anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per sponsored video, and you can work with brands directly or through services like YouTube BrandConnect.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to generate passive income as a YouTuber. By joining programs like Amazon Associates or other brand affiliate networks, you get custom tracking links for products. When you recommend these products in your videos and place the links in your descriptions, your audience can purchase through them. Every sale made via your link earns you a commission, without any extra cost to the buyer. The best part is that your old videos keep working for you, generating sales long after they’re published.
Third-Party Subscription Platforms
Platforms like Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee give creators more freedom to monetize outside of YouTube. These services allow fans to subscribe monthly in exchange for perks such as exclusive videos, behind-the-scenes updates, shoutouts, or early access to new content. Unlike ad revenue, this model provides a steady, predictable income that doesn’t rely on YouTube’s algorithm. It also strengthens your bond with your most loyal supporters by giving them a more personal experience. For many creators, this becomes a reliable foundation for financial stability.
How to Avoid Music Copyright Claims and Monetize Your Videos Safely
One of the most common reasons creators lose their monetization is due to improper music usage. YouTube’s automated Content ID system scans every upload for copyrighted material. If you use a song without the correct license, the rights holder such as a record label or artist, can place a claim on your video. This often results in them taking all of the ad revenue from your hard work, even if it was an honest mistake.
To avoid this, you must use music from sources where you have a clear license for commercial use. While the YouTube Audio Library is a safe starting point, creators looking for a wider selection and complete peace of mind often turn to premium subscription services.
An Epidemic Sound subscription, for example, is an all-access pass to a claim-free channel. Because they own all the rights to their music, one simple subscription covers all the complex licensing you need to monetize safely. This removes the legal headaches and frees you up to focus on what you do best: creating incredible content.
With a massive library of over 50,000 high-quality tracks and 90,000 sound effects, you can find the perfect soundtrack for any genre or mood. It’s more than just royalty-free, it’s worry-free.
Conclusion:
Monetizing your YouTube channel in 2025 is about building a diverse business, not just enabling ads. While AdSense provides a foundation, true stability comes from layering multiple income streams. The key is to combine direct fan support features like Channel Memberships and Super Thanks with independent revenue from brand sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and selling your own merchandise.
Ultimately, all of these tools are powered by the community you build. By focusing on creating valuable content that resonates with your audience, understanding your analytics, and treating your channel like a genuine brand, you won’t just earn a side income. You will build a sustainable and rewarding career on your own terms.
Read More
- Most Demanding Products to Sell Online In India
- Top Youtuber Merch Stores that will Inspire you to start a Brand
- How to Start an eCommerce Business Without Money
- Best Print on Demand Sites in India
- Print on Demand Business Revenue & Market Size
- Merch Ideas For YouTubers: Hoodies, T-shirts, and More
- Top Online Selling Platforms in India
- Top Print on Demand Marketing Strategies for Online Store
Frequently Asked Questions
How much watch time is required for YouTube monetization?
For full ad revenue, you need 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million Shorts views. For earlier access to fan funding features like Super Thanks, the requirement is lower at 3,000 watch hours. These hours only count from valid, public videos and not from private content or ads.
Do I need AdSense to monetize YouTube?
Yes, an active Google AdSense account is mandatory for earning money on YouTube. AdSense is the service that processes your payments from advertisers and direct fan support. You must link your channel to an approved AdSense account when you apply for the YouTube Partner Program.
How to do a YouTube shop?
First, create your merchandise on a supported print-on-demand platform. Next, connect your chosen platform to your channel via the “Shopping” tab in YouTube Studio. Your products will then automatically appear for viewers to browse and buy on a shelf below your videos.
How to apply for YouTube shopping?
There isn’t a separate application; you enable Shopping after joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Go to the Earn tab in YouTube Studio, select the Shopping section, and follow the steps to connect your store. Your channel must be eligible for at least the first tier of YPP (500 subscribers) to use this feature.
