How to Monetise YouTube

YouTube has transformed from a simple video-sharing site into a platform where millions of creators earn a living. If you are serious about building a channel, monetisation is a crucial milestone. Monetising your YouTube channel means turning views and engagement into income, but to achieve this, you need to meet certain requirements and understand the different revenue streams available.

Eligibility for Monetisation

The first step in monetising your channel is joining the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP). To qualify, you must meet YouTube’s eligibility criteria. Currently, this includes having at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months, or 10 million Shorts views within the last 90 days. You must also comply with YouTube’s monetisation policies, community guidelines and advertiser-friendly content rules. Once eligible, you can apply through YouTube Studio and connect your channel to a Google AdSense account to receive payments.

Ad Revenue

The most common income stream is ad revenue. Once approved for monetisation, ads will be shown before, during or alongside your videos, and you will earn a share of the revenue generated. The exact amount varies depending on factors such as your niche, the type of ads displayed and where your audience is located. Channels focused on finance, education or technology often earn more per view compared to entertainment or lifestyle channels, as advertisers in these sectors pay higher rates.

Channel Memberships and Super Chat

For creators with an established community, YouTube offers additional features such as channel memberships. Viewers can pay a monthly fee to access exclusive perks like custom emojis, badges and members-only content. Super Chat and Super Stickers are another option, allowing fans to pay to highlight their messages during live streams. These features give loyal viewers more ways to support creators directly while giving creators more control over their income beyond ad revenue.

Merchandise and Product Sales

Eligible channels can use YouTube’s merchandise shelf to sell branded products directly below their videos. Creators can also link to their own online stores, offering everything from T-shirts and mugs to digital products like e-books or courses. Selling merchandise can be a strong income stream, especially for creators who have developed a recognisable brand or a dedicated fan base.

Affiliate Marketing and Sponsorships

Another popular way to monetise is through affiliate marketing. By promoting products and including affiliate links in your video descriptions, you can earn a commission for each sale made through your links. Many creators also partner with brands directly for sponsorship deals. Sponsored content can involve anything from a brief mention of a product to a full video collaboration. To attract sponsors, focus on creating high-quality, engaging content and building a loyal audience.

Expanding Income with External Platforms

Some creators choose to monetise further by using external platforms such as Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee, where fans can provide monthly support in exchange for exclusive content. Others branch into offering online courses, consultancy or appearances. By diversifying income streams, creators reduce their reliance on YouTube’s ad system, which can fluctuate based on seasonality and algorithm changes.

Conclusion

Monetising YouTube is about more than just switching on ads. It requires meeting eligibility requirements, applying to the YouTube Partner Programme and exploring multiple income streams. From ad revenue and memberships to merchandise and sponsorships, successful creators often diversify their earnings to create stable and sustainable income. The key is consistency, quality content and building a loyal audience. Once you have that, monetisation opportunities will naturally follow.