How To Monetize Your YouTube Channel | STEP BY STEP For Beginners (Complete Guide)

Introduction

In 2021, YouTube made significant changes to its terms of service, enabling the platform to place ads on your videos even if they aren't monetized. But don't worry, in this article, we’ll dive into the step-by-step process of monetizing your YouTube videos and getting paid.

Step 1: Create a YouTube Channel and Start Making Videos

First, set up a YouTube channel and begin posting content. If you’re unsure how to start, you can find a detailed video guide here. Ensure you reside in a country where the YouTube Partner Program is available; a list of eligible countries can be found here.

Step 2: Abide by YouTube Policies

While creating content, follow YouTube's policies to avoid issues. Prohibited content includes violence, nudity, and excessive swearing. Always consider whether your content is suitable for advertisers. You can find more details about advertiser-friendly content, copyright guidelines, and AdSense policies here.

Step 3: Meet the Monetization Threshold

Consistently post content until you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours within the past 12 months. Public watch hours do not include private or unlisted videos. This threshold is rolling, meaning you need to maintain these metrics within any given 12-month period. Track your progress on your YouTube homepage under "Manage Videos" and "Monetization". Once you hit the threshold, you can opt for YouTube to notify you when you're eligible to apply.

Step 4: Apply for Monetization

Review YouTube Partner Program Terms: Click 'Start' on the Review Partner Program Terms card and accept the terms. Once agreed, YouTube will mark this step as complete.
Create or Connect an AdSense Account: Click 'Start' on the Sign up for Google AdSense card to connect an existing account or create a new one. Remember, you can only have one AdSense account.
Get Reviewed: Your channel will then be reviewed by YouTube’s automated systems and human reviewers for compliance with their guidelines. Check your application status here.

Step 5: Waiting for Approval

YouTube will notify you via email about their decision. This could take a few days to weeks depending on your content’s clarity. If rejected, you can reapply after 30 days. If accepted, congratulations! You can now set your preferences and enable monetization on your uploads.

To enable monetization for multiple videos, go to your channel's homepage, click on 'Manage Videos', select all videos, then choose 'Monetization' under 'Edit' and toggle it to 'On'.

Monitoring Your Earnings

To track your earnings, go to your dashboard where, under Channel Analytics, you'll find your revenue for a 28-day cycle. For more detailed information, navigate to 'Channel Analytics'.

How to Get Paid

To get paid, a Google AdSense account is necessary. Here's how it typically works:

YouTube notifies you of your earnings on the 12th of each month.
Payments are processed around the 24th of each month.

If you’re uncertain about setting up Google AdSense payments, refer to the next guide in this series for a detailed walkthrough.

Conclusion

We hope this comprehensive guide assists you in monetizing your YouTube channel. If you found this article helpful, please like it and subscribe for more content like this!

Keywords

YouTube monetization
YouTube Partner Program
Ads
Google AdSense
Earnings
Watch hours
Subscribers
Content guidelines

FAQ

Q1: What are the basic requirements for monetizing my YouTube channel?

A1: You need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours within the last 12 months.

Q2: Can YouTube place ads on my videos even if I'm not monetized?

A2: Yes, YouTube's new terms of service allow them to place ads on videos that aren't monetized.

Q3: How can I keep track of my watch hours and subscriber count?

A3: You can monitor your metrics under the 'Monetization' tab on your YouTube dashboard.

Q4: What should I avoid in my videos to comply with YouTube's policies?

A4: Avoid content featuring violence, nudity, excessive swearing, or anything that would be inappropriate for advertisers.

Q5: How do I get notified when I am eligible for monetization?

A5: YouTube allows you to opt-in for notifications on your monetization page.

Q6: What if my monetization application gets rejected?

A6: If rejected, you can reapply after 30 days.

Q7: How often will I receive payments from YouTube?

A7: You’ll receive payments around the 24th of each month if your balance exceeds the payment threshold.

Q8: Can I use multiple AdSense accounts?

A8: No, YouTube is strict about allowing only one AdSense account per user.

Thank you for using this guide! For more detailed steps on linking your payment option and getting paid, refer to the upcoming video in this series.