YouTube isn’t just about sharing videos anymore; it’s a space where so many creators are transforming their passions into successful businesses. If you want to make some cash with your channel, it’s important to get a handle on how YouTube’s monetization works. Let me show you how to turn on YouTube monetization so you can start making money from your content!
1. YouTube Monetization Basics
To make money from your YouTube page, you need to do more than just post videos. You also need to follow some rules that YouTube sets out.
Creators must apply for and be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) in order to make money on YouTube. You can make money with this program’s features, such as ads, channel fees, Super Chat, and more. But what are the most important requirements to join?
Requirements to Qualify for Monetization:
- 1,000 Subscribers: Your channel needs a minimum of 1,000 subscribers.
- 4,000 Hours of Watch Time: You need 4,000 valid public watch hours over the last 12 months.
- Compliance with Policies: Your content must adhere to YouTube’s Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, copyright rules, and monetization policies.
- Google AdSense Account: You’ll need to link your channel to a Google AdSense account to receive payments.
If these conditions seem hard, don’t stress! There are ways to get around some of them, which we will talk about later.
2. How to Turn on Monetization for Your YouTube Channel
Are you ready to make money from your videos? Let’s go through the steps of making it possible to make money one by one.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enable Monetization:
- Sign in to Your YouTube Account
Make sure you are logged in to the account associated with your channel. - Go to YouTube Studio
Click on your profile picture in the top right corner, then select “YouTube Studio.” - Navigate to the Monetization Tab
In the left-hand menu, click on “Monetization.” Here, you’ll see your progress towards meeting YouTube’s monetization requirements. - Apply to Join the YouTube Partner Program
Once eligible, you’ll see the option to apply. Follow the prompts to review and accept the YouTube Partner Program terms. - Link a Google AdSense Account
To start earning money, you’ll need to link a valid AdSense account. If you don’t have one, you can create it during this step. - Get Reviewed
After applying, your channel will undergo a review process to ensure it complies with all policies. This can take a few days or even weeks.
Once you’re accepted, you can start making money from ads on your videos and check out other ways to make money!
3. How to Monetize a YouTube Channel Without 4,000 Watch Hours
Having trouble getting to 4,000 watch hours? Don’t worry—you can still make money from your work in other ways.
If you want to make money on YouTube but haven’t hit the 4,000-hour watch time requirement yet, here are some things you can do:
Alternative Monetization Strategies:
- YouTube Shorts Fund: Focus on creating engaging Shorts. YouTube has a fund specifically designed to reward creators of viral Shorts, bypassing the usual monetization criteria.
- Channel Memberships and Super Chat: If you already have an engaged subscriber base, you can explore channel memberships and Super Chat features during live streams (once eligible).
- Affiliate Marketing and Sponsorships: Promote products and services through affiliate links in your video descriptions. Sponsorships from brands in your niche can also bring in revenue.
- Selling Merchandise: Use platforms like Teespring (integrated with YouTube) to sell branded merchandise.
These ways don’t need the usual 4,000 watch hours, but they can still help you make money while your channel grows to meet the normal requirements for monetization.
4. Tips for Quickly Monetizing YouTube
Consistency and strategy can fast-track your channel’s growth and bring you closer to earning revenue.
Proven Strategies to Meet YouTube’s Monetization Criteria:
- Create High-Quality, Engaging Content: Focus on videos that provide value, entertain, or solve problems for your audience.
- Optimize for SEO: Use relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags to improve discoverability.
- Encourage Subscriptions and Engagement: Ask viewers to subscribe, like, and comment on your videos. Engagement boosts visibility.
- Collaborate with Other Creators: Team up with fellow YouTubers to expand your reach.
- Consistency is Key: Posting regularly (at least once a week) helps keep your channel active and visible.
You can also purchase YouTube watch hours on Lenos to quickly reach that 4,000-hour mark. They can boost your channel’s authority and get you on the path to applying for monetization sooner. This platform is a great option for running high-quality and safe campaigns. They focus on natural advertising to help you hit your watch hours while following YouTube’s rules.
5. Avoid These Monetization Mistakes
If you’re not careful, getting monetized can occasionally feel like an uphill fight.
Mistakes to Avoid When Enabling YouTube Monetization:
- Violation of Community Guidelines: Content that breaches YouTube’s rules may be demonetized or removed.
- Copyright Issues: Ensure your content doesn’t contain unlicensed music, videos, or images.
- Inconsistent Posting: Long gaps between uploads can hurt watch time and subscriber growth.
- Ignoring Audience Preferences: Pay attention to analytics and give your audience what they want to watch.
Wrapping It Up
As of right now, there’s no better time to start making money from your YouTube videos now that you know how to turn on marketing. If you want to be successful on YouTube, you need to be consistent, creative, and dedicated to keeping your audience interested. This is true whether you’re trying to get more watch hours or find other ways to make money.
Are you ready to start getting money from your YouTube videos?
