Although I don't claim to be a YouTube expert, I wanted to share my knowledge about how YouTube monetization works and how much potential it has.
I remember when YouTube was just a place to watch funny videos or listen to your favorite songs — that’s pretty much all we used it for back in the late 2000s. Honestly, I had no idea people could actually make money from it until around 2018 or 2019. I still remember the first time I heard about “YouTube money.” I was watching one of MrBeast’s videos where he talked about how much PewDiePie was earning from his channel. It totally blew my mind.
When the COVID pandemic hit, things really started to shift — YouTube wasn’t just a place to watch videos anymore; it was quickly becoming a serious source of income for millions of people around the world. As more people stayed home and spent time online, creators found new opportunities to build audiences, launch businesses, and turn their content into full-time careers.
In a blog post from February 2023, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan shared that the platform had paid out over $50 billion to creators, artists, and media companies between 2020 and 2022. That’s a massive number — and it highlights just how powerful the creator economy has become. YouTube is no longer just a video platform; it's a global marketplace where attention, creativity, and consistency can literally pay off.
How YouTube Monetization Works
At its core, making money on YouTube starts with joining the YouTube Partner Program
— this gives you access to monetization tools and allows you to earn revenue
from your content. YouTube primarily makes money by showing ads on videos,
and once your channel is eligible and monetized, you get a share of that ad
revenue.
But ads aren’t the only way to earn. In fact, there are several income streams available to creators on the platform. Below are some of the most common ways people generate money on YouTube.
YouTube Partner Program
The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is the foundation of earning money on YouTube — it's the first step every creator needs to take in order to start making revenue from their content.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you join the YPP:
1. ✅ Follow YouTube’s monetization policies
Make sure your content complies with all of YouTube’s rules and guidelines for monetization.
2. 🌍 Live in a country where the YPP is available
This refers to the country where you currently live and operate your channel. You can check eligibility for your country on this page.
3. 📊 Meet the eligibility requirements
Apply when you have;
Option A: 1,000 subscribers + 4,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months
Option B: 1,000 subscribers + 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days
4.🔐 Enable 2-Step Verification on your Google account to secure it
5. 💰 Create and link a Google AdSense account to receive payments, if you already have one, just connect it to your YouTube account.
Now let's move to the top 10 possible income streams on YouTube;
#1. YouTube Ads / AdSense Revenue
Ads are the most common and original way to earn money on YouTube. Once your videos are monetized, ads are shown to viewers — and you earn a share of the revenue. In general, more views = more potential income, but it’s not just about the numbers. Your revenue also depends on factors like your audience’s location, the type of ads shown, and the topic of your content.
📌 Does clicking on an ad make a difference compared to just watching it?
Yes, it does.
When someone simply watches an ad (without skipping), you earn a small amount — this is called cost per view (CPV).
But if a viewer clicks on the ad, you typically earn more, because advertisers usually pay higher rates for cost per click (CPC).
In short, both views and clicks can generate revenue, but clicks tend to be more valuable.
#2. Membership & Subscriptions
With Channel Memberships, your audience can choose to make one-time payments or set up recurring monthly subscriptions to support your channel. In exchange, they get access to exclusive perks like members-only videos, custom emojis, badges, and sometimes even early access to new content or live chat features.
This is an excellent way to build a stronger relationship with your audience and offer them something special in return for their support. It also provides you with a more predictable and steady income stream beyond ad revenue.
#3. YouTube Premium Revenue
You might think that if someone with a YouTube Premium membership watches your content, you don’t get paid since no ads are shown. But that’s not the case! When a YouTube Premium member watches your videos, you still earn money. You receive a portion of the revenue they pay for their Premium subscription.
The great thing about YouTube Premium is that you can earn this share from both long-form videos and Shorts. So, even without ads, Premium members still contribute to your earnings, making it another valuable income stream for creators. Unleash Your YouTube Potential with a Game-Changing Course!
#4. YouTube Shopping (Merch Shelf)
YouTube Shopping allows creators to sell physical products directly through their channel by integrating with e-commerce platforms like Teespring, Spreadshop, and Merchbar. The Merch Shelf feature lets you showcase your merchandise directly under your videos or on your channel’s homepage, making it easy for viewers to purchase products while enjoying your content. By offering exclusive items like custom t-shirts, hats, or other branded goods, creators can build a stronger connection with their audience and generate additional revenue.
To start using YouTube Shopping, creators must be part of the YouTube Partner Program, link their store to a supported platform, and activate the Merch Shelf on their channel. This feature provides an additional income stream, as creators earn a share of the revenue from product sales. YouTube Shopping helps creators monetize their brand beyond just ad revenue, allowing them to turn their channel into a business while fostering a closer relationship with their viewers.
#5. Partnership /Sponsorship & Brand Deals
One of the most lucrative ways to earn money on YouTube is through partnerships, sponsorships, and brand deals. As a creator, you can collaborate with companies or brands who pay you to feature their products or services in your videos. These deals can range from a simple mention or shout-out to fully integrated campaigns where you promote their products in a more detailed or creative way. Brand deals often pay more than ad revenue because companies see influencers as a direct way to reach their target audience.
To land sponsorships, it’s essential to build a strong, engaged community and demonstrate that your content aligns with the brand’s values. Typically, brands are looking for creators whose audience matches their target demographic, whether that’s in terms of age, interests, or location. While these deals can vary greatly, they often offer a substantial income boost and can even turn into long-term, ongoing partnerships if both parties are satisfied with the results.
#6. Super Chat & Super Stickers
During live streams, Super Chat and Super Stickers offer viewers a chance to pay in order to have their messages highlighted in the chat. This feature allows fans to stand out in the conversation, making it easier for creators to engage directly with their audience. Super Chat lets viewers send a message with a custom donation, while Super Stickers allow them to send fun, animated stickers to express themselves.
These features make live streams more interactive and engaging, providing a way for viewers to support creators while adding excitement to the broadcast. Super Chat and Super Stickers not only boost engagement, but also serve as a great revenue stream for creators, especially during high-traffic live events.
#7. Super Thanks
Super Thanks is a one-time donation feature that allows viewers to support creators on non-live videos. In return, the viewer gets to post a distinct, colorful, and customizable comment in the comments section. This gives the supporter a way to stand out and engage with the content in a unique way.
Similar to Super Chat, but for on-demand videos, Super Thanks adds an interactive layer to your regular content, allowing creators to receive financial support while offering fans a fun and personalized way to contribute. It's another great way for creators to monetize their videos and foster a deeper connection with their community.
#8. Fan Funding & Donations
Fan funding and donations are external ways for creators to receive financial support from their audience, using platforms like Patreon, Ko-fi, or Buy Me a Coffee. These platforms allow fans to make one-time or recurring contributions to support their favorite creators, often in exchange for exclusive content, perks, or direct interaction.
Although these platforms are not directly part of YouTube, they offer a significant income stream by letting creators monetize their communities beyond ad revenue and YouTube’s built-in features. By sharing links to your Patreon or Ko-fi pages in your videos or channel description, you can drive your audience to these sites and receive support directly from your fans.
#9. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is another off-YouTube method for generating income. In this model, creators promote products or services within their videos and include an affiliate link in the description. When viewers click on the link and make a purchase, the creator earns a commission from the sale.
This method allows creators to earn money by simply recommending products they believe in, without the need to create or sell their own products. It’s a great way to monetize your content, especially if you're reviewing or showcasing products that align with your audience’s interests.
#10. Promote Your Services
If you have a skill or expertise, promoting your services on YouTube can be a great way to generate income. Whether you offer consulting, coaching, design services, or any other professional service, you can use your YouTube channel as a platform to advertise and showcase what you offer.
By sharing relevant content that highlights your expertise and the value of your services, you can attract potential clients who are interested in working with you. You can include links to your service offerings in video descriptions, create dedicated videos explaining your services, or even offer exclusive consultations for your audience. This approach not only helps you monetize your channel but also strengthens your personal brand and credibility.
Conclusion
There are many ways to monetize your YouTube channel beyond just ads. Whether through brand partnerships, Super Chat, or affiliate marketing, each method offers unique opportunities to turn your passion into a sustainable income stream. The key to success on YouTube is staying consistent, engaging with your audience, and exploring multiple revenue streams that align with your content and audience.
By diversifying your income sources, you not only increase your earnings but also ensure long-term growth and stability for your channel. So, take the time to explore these options, experiment with what works best for you, and start building your YouTube business today!