Ready to turn your passion for creating YouTube videos into a reliable source of income? Learning how to make money online YouTube is a goal for many creators, and in 2025, the opportunities are more diverse than ever. This guide unveils 9 proven strategies to monetize your YouTube channel. We’ll explore everything from the YouTube Partner Program to affiliate marketing, merchandise sales, and more. Discover how to meet the requirements, optimize your content for revenue, and build a profitable online brand, even if you’re just starting out.
Understanding YouTube Monetization in 2025: Key Requirements
Before you can earn your first dollar, it’s essential to understand the foundation of YouTube monetization. The primary gateway is the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which allows creators to access various revenue streams. However, getting into the YPP requires meeting specific criteria designed to ensure that channels are providing quality, authentic content.
How to Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) in 2025
Joining the YPP is a major milestone for any creator. It signifies that your channel has reached a level of maturity and audience engagement that YouTube recognizes. Once accepted, you unlock the ability to earn from ads, YouTube Premium, and various fan funding features. The application process is straightforward but requires you to meet all of YouTube’s policies and guidelines.
What are the YouTube Monetization Requirements in 2025?
YouTube has updated its requirements to offer a tiered approach, making it easier for new creators to start earning. There are two main levels of YPP eligibility.
To unlock earlier access to fan funding features (like Super Chat, Super Thanks, and Channel Memberships), you need to meet the following criteria:
- 500 subscribers
- 3 valid public uploads in the last 90 days
- Either 3,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months OR 3 million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days
To unlock full monetization, including ad revenue sharing and YouTube Premium revenue, the requirements are higher:
- 1,000 subscribers
- Either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months OR 10 million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days
Additionally, all applicants must follow YouTube’s Channel Monetization Policies, have no active Community Guidelines strikes, enable 2-Step Verification for their Google Account, and link an active AdSense account.
How to Apply for Monetization on YouTube in 2025
Once you’ve met the eligibility criteria, the application process is simple. You can apply directly within YouTube Studio.
- Go to the “Earn” tab in the left-hand menu of YouTube Studio.
- If you’re eligible, you will see an “Apply now” button. Click it.
- Review and accept the YouTube Partner Program terms.
- Connect an AdSense account. You can link an existing one or create a new one during this step.
- Get reviewed. YouTube will then review your channel to ensure it complies with all their policies. This review process involves both automated systems and human reviewers and can take up to a month.
9 Proven Strategies for Making Money on YouTube in 2025
Relying solely on one income source can be risky. The most successful YouTubers diversify their revenue. Here are nine proven strategies to make money online with your YouTube content.
Strategy 1: Ad Revenue – The Foundation of Your Earnings
For most creators, ad revenue is the first and most significant income stream. Once you’re in the YPP and have met the higher tier requirements, you can turn on ads for your videos. You earn a portion of the revenue from ads shown before, during, or after your content. YouTube takes a 45% cut, leaving you with 55% of the ad revenue. This income is tracked using metrics like CPM (cost per mille) and RPM (revenue per mille).
Strategy 2: Affiliate Marketing – Earning Commissions on Product Recommendations
Affiliate marketing is a powerful way to monetize your influence. It involves promoting a company’s products or services using a unique referral link. When a viewer clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. This is a core focus at LIEN MMO, where we specialize in connecting creators with AI tools and SaaS services through affiliate programs. To succeed, choose products relevant to your niche and that you genuinely trust. You can find more information about how to start affiliate marketing on YouTube and build a profitable strategy.
Strategy 3: Selling Your Own Merchandise – Building a Brand and Revenue Stream
Selling merchandise is an excellent way to build your brand and create another income stream. You can sell branded items like t-shirts, mugs, hats, or even digital products. YouTube’s merch shelf feature integrates with approved platforms, allowing you to display your products directly below your videos. This turns your viewers into customers and your channel into a recognizable brand.
Strategy 4: Fan Funding – Super Chat, Super Thanks, and Channel Memberships
Fan funding allows your most loyal subscribers to support you directly. These features become available once you meet the initial YPP requirements (500 subscribers).
- Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive perks like badges, custom emojis, and members-only content for a recurring monthly fee.
- Super Chat & Super Stickers: During live streams and Premieres, viewers can purchase highlighted messages or animated stickers to stand out in the chat.
- Super Thanks: Viewers can purchase a fun animation on your long-form videos or Shorts to show extra appreciation.
Strategy 5: Brand Deals and Sponsorships – Collaborating with Brands for Sponsored Content
As your channel grows, brands may reach out for sponsorships. This involves creating content that features or is dedicated to a specific product or service in exchange for payment. Even small channels can secure brand deals if they have a highly engaged, niche audience. To attract sponsors, create a professional media kit that showcases your channel’s analytics, audience demographics, and past work. You can find many valuable resources on how to get YouTube sponsorships with a small channel to get started.
Strategy 6: YouTube Shorts Monetization – Capitalizing on Short-Form Content
With the rise of short-form video, YouTube Shorts has become a key area for growth and monetization. Creators in the YPP can earn a share of the ad revenue generated from ads viewed between videos in the Shorts Feed. Revenue is pooled and distributed to monetizing creators based on their share of total Shorts views. This provides a great incentive to create engaging, short-form YouTube content.
Strategy 7: YouTube Premium Revenue – Earning from Ad-Free Viewing
You don’t just earn from ads. When a YouTube Premium subscriber watches your content, you get a portion of their subscription fee. The amount you earn is based on how much time Premium members spend watching your videos. While it may not be as substantial as ad revenue for some, it’s a passive and valuable part of the monetization ecosystem.
Strategy 8: Crowdfunding – Funding Your Creative Projects
If you have a specific project in mind, like a documentary, a short film, or a special series, crowdfunding platforms like Patreon or Kickstarter can be invaluable. You can leverage your YouTube audience to raise funds directly for these projects. This method works best when you have a clear, compelling goal and a dedicated community that wants to see your creative vision come to life.
Strategy 9: Licensing Your Content – Getting Paid for Your Viral Videos
If one of your videos goes viral, media outlets, TV shows, or other online creators may want to use it. You can license your content to them for a fee. There are marketplaces and services that can help you manage these licensing deals, ensuring you get paid whenever your popular content is used by others. This is a fantastic way to generate unexpected income from a single piece of successful content.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Money on YouTube
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?
There is no fixed amount. YouTube pays for ad views, not video views. On average, a creator can expect to earn between $10 and $30 per 1,000 ad views (this is known as RPM). However, this figure varies dramatically based on your content niche, the geographic location of your audience, and the types of ads shown. Niches like personal finance and technology often have a higher CPM than gaming or comedy.
How much do small YouTubers make?
The income of small YouTubers can range from a few dollars a month to a substantial side income. Success depends less on subscriber count and more on monetization strategy. A small channel with a highly engaged audience in a profitable niche can earn significant income through affiliate marketing and brand deals, sometimes more than a larger channel with passive viewers.
How do you get paid on YouTube?
You get paid through a linked Google AdSense account. Once your earnings reach the local payment threshold (e.g., $100 in the US), AdSense will issue a payment. This process requires you to verify your identity and address. Payments are typically sent out monthly.
Do you get paid for uploading videos on YouTube?
No, you do not get paid simply for uploading videos. You earn money based on the monetization methods you enable and the engagement your videos receive. Payment comes from ad views, affiliate sales, fan funding, sponsorships, and other strategies discussed in this article. Consistent content creation is key, but monetization is a separate, deliberate step.
By creating high-quality content, understanding your audience, and diversifying your income streams, you can turn your channel into a profitable venture. Remember to stay updated on YouTube’s policies and focus on building an engaged community to maximize your earning potential. At LIEN MMO, we’ve seen countless creators succeed by applying these principles, and we believe you can too.
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