If you’ve been wondering, How can I make money on YouTube?, it all starts with understanding YouTube monetisation. YouTube monetisation simply means earning money from your videos. As a creator, you can monetise your content mainly through ads that appear before, during, or after your videos. But to start making money, you must meet specific eligibility requirements set by YouTube—and that’s where the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) comes in. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about YouTube monetisation, how to qualify, and why it’s the first step if you’re serious about figuring out how you can make money on YouTube.
What is YouTube Monetisation?
YouTube monetisation refers to the process where content creators earn income from their videos uploaded to the platform. The money usually comes from:
- Ads shown on videos
- Channel memberships
- Super Chats and Super Stickers
- YouTube Premium revenue
- Brand partnerships and sponsorships
The better your videos perform in terms of views, engagement, and relevance, the more money you can potentially make. Understanding how I can make money on YouTube starts by mastering how the YouTube monetisation system works.
5 Proven Ways to Boost Your YouTube Earnings
Here are five powerful strategies you can use today to set yourself up for long-term success:
#1. Understand and Meet YouTube’s Monetization Requirements
If you want to learn how I can make money on YouTube, your first step is hitting YouTube’s Partner Program (YPP) milestones:
- At least 500 subscribers and 3 public videos.
- 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.
- To earn from ads specifically, you’ll need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours (or 10 million Shorts views).
Once you qualify, you’ll get access to:
- Ad revenue sharing
- Super Chats and Super Stickers
- Memberships and more
Tip: Keep track of your progress in the YouTube Studio > Monetization tab so you know exactly where you stand.
#2. Set Up and Link an AdSense Account
You can’t answer, How can I make money on YouTube? without mentioning Google AdSense. AdSense is the platform that pays you. It handles your ad revenue and deposits your earnings directly into your bank account once you meet the minimum 165,000 naira ($100) threshold.
Steps:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Navigate to the Monetization tab.
- Set up or link your AdSense account.
- Add your personal and banking details.
- Verify your identity and address.
Without an AdSense account, no matter how many views you rack up, you won’t see a dime.
#3. Diversify Your Income Streams Beyond Ads
Ad revenue is only one way to make money on YouTube. To maximise your earnings, branch out:
- Sponsored Videos: Partner with brands and get paid to showcase products.
- Merch Sales: Sell T-shirts, mugs, or custom gear directly from your channel.
- YouTube Premium Revenue: Get a cut when Premium users watch your content.
- Super Thanks and Memberships: Let loyal fans support you directly.
- Affiliate Marketing: Promote products and earn commissions through links.
The smartest YouTubers don’t depend only on ads—they combine multiple monetisation strategies to build a steady income.
#4. Consistently Post High-Quality Content
Consistency and quality go hand in hand. YouTube’s algorithm favours creators who post regularly and keep audiences engaged.
A simple formula:
- Post at least once a week.
- Focus on topics your audience cares about.
- Use good equipment (camera, mic, lighting).
- Edit your videos professionally.
If you struggle with editing or producing content quickly, AI video tools like Zebracat can speed things up, helping you maintain a regular posting schedule without burning out.
#5. Engage, Build Trust, and Ask for Support
Audience loyalty is crucial if you’re serious about how you can make money on YouTube. People won’t just stumble upon your videos—they need reasons to stay, subscribe, and support you.
Tips to engage better:
- Reply to comments.
- Ask viewers questions in your videos.
- Encourage subscriptions and likes.
- Create community posts and polls.
- Host occasional live streams.
Fans who trust you will not only stick around but also buy your merch, join your memberships, and recommend your channel to others.
Eligibility Criteria for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
Joining the YPP unlocks full access to YouTube’s monetisation features. Here’s what you must do if you’re serious about answering the question, How can I make money on YouTube?
#1. Follow YouTube’s Monetization Policies
Your content must comply with YouTube’s strict policies, including:
- No copyright infringement
- No inappropriate or harmful content
- Ad-friendly content standards
Following these rules ensures that your videos are eligible to display ads and get promoted.
#2. Achieve the Watch Hours Requirement
You must accumulate at least 4,000 watch hours over the past 12 months. This means people need to spend a total of 4,000 hours watching your videos. This requirement proves that your channel is engaging enough for larger audiences. Longer videos and playlists can help you boost watch time faster.
#3. Reach the Minimum Subscriber Count
You’ll need at least 1,000 subscribers to apply for monetisation. Subscribers signal that you have a real, engaged audience—and the more loyal your audience, the higher your future earning potential. Building your subscribers also increases your visibility on YouTube’s search and recommendations.
#4. Set Up and Link an AdSense Account
To actually make money on YouTube, you’ll need to link your channel to Google AdSense. This platform handles your ad revenue and pays you directly into your bank account once you cross the 160,380 naira ($100) threshold. Without a linked AdSense account, no money can be collected from your monetised videos.
#5. Be in an Eligible Geographical Location
The YouTube Partner Program isn’t available everywhere yet. You’ll need to make sure that monetisation is offered in your country or region. YouTube provides an updated list of countries where YPP is active—make sure yours is listed.
#6. Maintain a Clean Channel Record
Your channel must have no active Community Guidelines strikes. Breaking YouTube’s rules even once can delay or even disqualify your eligibility for monetisation. Always create content that is compliant with the platform’s policies.
#7. Enable Two-Step Verification
You must secure your Google account using two-step verification. This protects your account from unauthorised access and shows YouTube you’re serious about maintaining your channel’s integrity.
Key Requirements: Subscriber Count and Watch Hours
Let’s break down the two most critical milestones in your journey towards how can I make money on YouTube:
#1. Subscriber Count (1,000)
- Why it matters: A minimum of 1,000 subscribers shows you have built a meaningful community.
- Impact: Subscribers are more likely to watch your videos, engage through likes and comments, and share your content, helping you earn more through YouTube ads and features like Super Chats.
#2. Watch Hours (4,000)
- Why it matters: 4,000 watch hours means that not only are people finding your videos, but they’re staying to watch them.
- Impact: It proves your content is engaging and valuable—two factors that YouTube heavily rewards with greater visibility and higher ad placements.
How Can I Make Money on YouTube?
Whether you’re a content creator, a vlogger, or a brand builder, there are multiple methods to turn your videos into money-making machines. Here’s a deep breakdown of eight powerful strategies you can use to start earning on YouTube right now:
#1. Earn Ad Revenue with YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
When you think, How can I make money on YouTube?, the first thing that comes to mind is probably ads. Ad revenue is the most common source of income for YouTubers. Once you meet YouTube’s monetisation requirements (1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours OR 10M Shorts views), you can enable ads on your videos through YouTube Studio.
Steps to activate ads:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Click on “Monetization”
- Choose the types of ads (skippable, display, bumper ads)
- Save your settings
You earn 55% of ad revenue generated from your videos — a steady way to start building your YouTube income.
#2. Make Money Through YouTube Premium Views
Once you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you automatically start earning from YouTube Premium views too. YouTube Premium allows users to watch videos ad-free, and as a creator, you get paid based on how much Premium members watch your content.
Over 100 million YouTube Premium users are active, so tapping into this audience can add a significant bonus to your monthly earnings — and you don’t even have to do anything extra to qualify for it!
#3. Offer Channel Memberships (Subscriptions)
Want to know another great way how you can make money on YouTube? Channel memberships! If you have over 30,000 subscribers, you can create paid memberships. Fans pay a monthly fee to access exclusive videos, badges, custom emojis, and members-only content.
Steps to set up Channel Memberships:
- Open YouTube Studio
- Click “Monetization” > “Memberships”
- Set your price tiers
- Enable the feature
This offers creators a dependable and predictable income stream alongside their ad revenue. Also, don’t forget about Super Chat and Super Stickers during live streams — another great bonus!
#4. Partner with Brands and Create Sponsored Content
Sponsored videos are a goldmine. Companies pay YouTubers to feature their products or services in videos. If you’re getting decent views and have built trust with your audience, brands will be willing to pay handsomely for a sponsored mention or full video.
Where to find sponsorships:
- Direct brand outreach
- YouTube BrandConnect (YouTube’s official brand partnership tool)
Sponsored content allows you to maintain creative control while earning a solid pay cheque outside of YouTube’s ad system.
#5. Crowdfund Your Work and Raise Money
Another creative answer to How can I make money on YouTube? is through crowdfunding. You can use platforms like:
- Patreon
- Buy Me A Coffee
- Ko-fi
Or you can now use YouTube’s new built-in Support Button (available for select creators) to encourage monthly contributions directly from your viewers. Give special rewards like early-access videos, behind-the-scenes clips, or exclusive live chats to your patrons.
#6. Sell Merchandise to Your Audience
Once you hit 10,000 subscribers, YouTube unlocks the Merch Shelf feature for you. This lets you sell branded merchandise directly underneath your videos. T-shirts, mugs, stickers, hats — whatever fits your brand — can become another steady source of revenue.
Steps to enable Merch Shelf:
- Open YouTube Studio
- Go to Monetization
- Click on the “Merch” tab
A strong brand identity + loyal audience = serious merch sales.
#7. Use Affiliate Marketing Links
Affiliate marketing is a super underrated method when people ask, How can I make money on YouTube?’ It’s simple:
- You promote someone else’s product.
- You add a link in your video description.
- You earn a commission when someone buys through your link.
For example, you can become an affiliate for tools like Zebracat AI, Amazon products, or any service your audience would love. Affiliate earnings can keep rolling in long after you upload a video — perfect for passive income.
#8. Raise Your Income with Super Thanks
Super Thanks allows viewers to tip creators directly, even on regular (not live) videos. It’s like getting small donations from viewers who appreciate your content.
To turn this feature on:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Navigate to Monetization > Supers
- Enable Super Thanks
It’s another easy way to reward loyal fans — and boost your revenue at the same time.
Can I Get Monetised With 500 Subscribers?
When you join YPP with 500 subscribers, you can earn money through these monetisation features if you meet their eligibility requirements: Channel memberships: let viewers join your channel through monthly payments and get access to members-only perks you offer, like badges, emoji, and other goods.
What Videos Will YouTube Not Monetise?
The use of any commercial sound recording, such as an instrumental, karaoke recording, or live concert performance by the artist, is not eligible for monetisation. Learn more about monetising eligible cover videos.
Does YouTube Pay for Old Videos After Monetization?
Yes, YouTube pays for old videos after they are monetised, as long as the video continues to receive views and is not subject to any copyright claims. The key factor is whether the video is engaged with by viewers after monetisation, not the age of the video.
Does Mirroring a Video Avoid Copyright?
Mirroring YouTube videos can be done to avoid copyright issues in some cases. If the original video contains any copyrighted material, mirroring it can make it harder for the copyright holders to detect and flag the video.
Can I Use Music in Shorts?
To be eligible for Shorts, a music video needs to meet the following criteria: The music video is public. The music video has a single claim from a music video asset. The music video asset has ownership from a partner who has agreed to Shorts terms with YouTube.
Conclusion
When asking how can I make money on YouTube, it’s important to understand that monetisation isn’t automatic. It takes strategic planning, consistent content creation, audience engagement, and meeting YouTube’s eligibility requirements. YouTube monetisation is the doorway to turning your passion for video creation into a sustainable source of income. Start focusing on high-quality, audience-focused content today—and you’ll be on your way to unlocking serious earning potential on YouTube.
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