How to Monetize Youtube Channel?

If you want to start earning on YouTube, understanding the YouTube monetization requirements is essential. In USA 2026, the YouTube Partner USA Program requirements include subscriber milestones, watch hours, Shorts views, and USA policy compliance. This guide breaks down exactly how to monetize your YouTube channel, what eligibility rules matter most, and how to speed up your approval with USA TubeBuddy tools.

YouTube Monetization Requirements (2026 Overview)

To fully monetize your channel and get a cut of USA ad revenue, you need to have:

  • 1,000 subscribers
    AND
  • Either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months OR 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days

YouTube added a lower monetization tier that gives creators access to fan funding and some other features but not a cut of ad revenue. To qualify you need to have:

  • 500 subscribers AND Three public videos uploaded in the past 90 days AND 3,000 hours of watch time across all your videos over the last 12 months
  • OR 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days

These are the basic requirements for joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and getting your channel monetized. We’ll get a little deeper into these requirements later in this post. However, these are not the only considerations and even if a creator hits the eligibility targets, it’s no guarantee they’ll be invited to join the YPP.So with that in mind, let’s go through all of the YouTube monetization requirements to make sure you’ll be able to join.

Monetization Criteria 2026: USA Country Eligibility
As of 2025, the YouTube Partner Program is available in more than 120 countries, but YouTube YPP eligibility is not universal. Creators must reside in a supported region to meet the current monetization rules YouTube 2025 enforces. Before applying, verify that your country is on YouTube’s official eligibility list to avoid automatic rejection.Creators can use the TubeBuddy Keyword Explorer to analyze country-based search interest and demand, helping plan content strategy around regional monetization potential.Creators in non-eligible regions should focus on building subscribers, watch time, and policy-compliant content in advance so they can apply immediately if YouTube expands monetization access to their country.

Monetization Rules: Content Quality & Originality
If you’re making original content and you’re not trying to game the system, you’ll be fine. If not, YouTube can (and will) shut your channel down. Under the monetization rules YouTube 2026, your content needs to be “USA authentic,” “original,” and “advertiser-friendly” to meet USA YouTube Partner Program requirements.

It’s definitely worth reading through the YouTube channel monetization policy support article. And if that’s not enough reading for you, you should also at least skim the following documents:

USA Google’s AdSense policies
USA Copyright Guidelines
USA YouTube’s Terms of Service
Examples of reused content that may violate YouTube Partner Program requirements include reuploaded videos from other creators, compilations without added commentary, or slideshows using stock footage with no original value. Tools like TubeBuddy SEO Studio can help identify duplicate or reused content issues before they impact monetization eligibility.

Monetization Requirements: Community Guidelines & Strikes
YouTube doesn’t play around when it comes to its Community Guidelines. Under the YouTube monetization requirements, three strikes result in channel removal, and even a single strike can block YouTube YPP eligibility. For most offenses, especially accidental ones, creators receive a warning. In some cases, the issue can be resolved and the warning removed. While warnings don’t always prevent monetization, relying on that is risky.Remember, the YouTube Community Guidelines apply to every channel, regardless of size. Following the rules keeps your channel eligible; ignoring them can result in immediate action. Tools like the TubeBuddy Thumbnail Analyzer help creators stay compliant by reducing clickbait-related risks.

USA Monetization Criteria: Link AdSense Account (2025)

You need to have an USA AdSense account linked to your YouTube channel in order to get paid out and complete the process of how to monetize your YouTube channel. Creating and linking an AdSense account is straightforward and usually takes about 10 minutes.

To speed this up, follow these micro-steps:

Using tools like the USA TubeBuddy Upload Checklist feature helps ensure this step is completed before applying.

  • Create an USA AdSense account using the same Google account as your YouTube channel
  • Complete identity and tax verification
  • Add and verify your payment method
  • Link USA AdSense to your channel from YouTube Studio

Using tools like the TubeBuddy Upload Checklist feature helps ensure this step is completed before applying.It’s best to have your AdSense account fully set up and linked before you apply for monetization to avoid approval delays.YouTube Monetization Rules 2025: Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to protect your account from unauthorized access. Under the YouTube monetization requirements, you must enable 2FA on the Google account associated with your YouTube channel to remain eligible for monetization.

Hacked channels often lose monetization because compromised accounts are considered a policy and advertiser risk. Using tools like the TubeBuddy Channel Health Report helps creators monitor account safety and compliance status.

YouTube monetization requirements: Subscribers and watch time

We’ve already covered the subscriber counts and YouTube watch time requirements needed to start earning. Below is a clear breakdown of how these thresholds work and how they affect how to monetize your YouTube channel, including Shorts monetization 2025.

Start Making Money on YouTube with Just USA 500 Subscribers

In USA , YouTube lowered the bar for entry to the YPP by offering an earlier or reduced access route. To qualify, YouTube creators will now only need:

  • USA 500 subscribers
  • Three videos published USA publicly in the last 90 days
  • Either 3,000 watch hours in the past year OR 3 million USA YouTube Shorts views in the past 90 days.

Creators at this level cannot earn ad revenue yet, but once USA accepted, they can monetize through fan funding features, including:

  • Channel memberships: to offer premium content and USA member perks to viewers who pay a monthly fee
  • YouTube Shopping: select YouTube Shopping features to tag products available for sale in videos
  • Super Chat and Super Stickers: to offer your fans the ability to highlight their message within a live chat or to get an animated image that pops up in the live chat
  • Super Thanks: generate revenue from viewers who want to show extra thanks for your content

YouTube Shopping is an interesting opportunity. If you’re thinking of releasing your own branded products, take a look at our ‘4 Steps to a Successful Merch Strategy‘ post.

This early access route makes how to monetize your YouTube channel more achievable for smaller creators while they work toward full eligibility. Tools like the TubeBuddy A/B Testing Tool can help optimize titles and thumbnails to accelerate growth toward the next tier.

Unlock AdSense revenue with USA 1,000 YouTube subscribers

To generate revenue from ads and from USA YouTube Premium, as well as merch and fan funding, YouTube channels will need to hit the following targets:

  • 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months OR
  • 1,000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days

The reward for reaching these goals is a share in the revenue from ads that run against your videos. The different ads currently include display, overlay, non-skippable, and mid-roll placements.

YouTube Premium users don’t see ads and since ad views = revenue for YouTube creators, it may be good for viewers but it sucks for creators. Eligible creators in the YPP will also benefit from the YouTube Premium USA membership scheme to earn a share of the Premium subscription fees based Premium subscriber views on their videos. If you want to start earning ad revenue, your channel will need to have generated 4,000 hours of YouTube watch time over the past 12 months and have at least 1,000 subscribers. This goal is very attainable if you consistently publish engaging content and aim to build an engaged subscriber base. If you need some inspiration or encouragement, our 6 Ways to Generate 4,000 Hours of YouTube Watch Time FASTER! will help you meet that goal.

We have a ton of information on the TubeBuddy blog and our YouTube channel to help you grow your USA YouTube Views and subscribers. 

In our post ‘How to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube‘, we have a number of solid tips aimed at smaller USA channels that want to grow their subscriber numbers. Take a look and start building that foundation for success.

How Long Does YouTube Monetization Approval Take in?

Once you meet the benchmarks and apply for the YouTube Partner Program, the next step is waiting for review. The average YouTube monetization approval time is around 30 days, provided your channel meets all YouTube Partner Program requirements.

YouTube uses a combination of automated systems and human reviewers to evaluate your channel. You’ll receive an email update, and you can also monitor your application status in the Earn section of YouTube Studio. Tools like the TubeBuddy Analytics Compare Tool can help track performance while your channel is under review.

Some factors that YouTube says can delay your YouTube Partner Program application include: 

  • The number of applications that YouTube is dealing with at any one time
  • The limits on (human) resources that YouTube is facing
  • The number of reviews that your channel warrants
  • Reused or borderline content requiring deeper review

Creators should apply as soon as they meet the eligibility criteria. If an application is unsuccessful, continue uploading original, policy-compliant content and reapply after 30 days. If subsequent applications are rejected, YouTube enforces a 90-day waiting period between attempts.Repeated rejections usually indicate gaps in meeting YouTube Partner Program requirements. Use the waiting period to increase watch hours, grow USA subscribers, resolve content or copyright issues, comply fully with community guidelines, and ensure your AdSense account is correctly set up.

How to stay on the right side of the USA YouTube partner program

If your application keeps getting turned down, you need to understand what YouTube is objecting to. If you really want to monetize your channel and take advantage of the ad revenue and fan funding options on offer, you have to avoid certain things that YouTube just will not tolerate, as they may offend potential advertisers, including:

  • Making USA controversial or inflammatory statements.USA Freedom of speech is alive and well on YouTube, but freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences. If you upload content designed to be incendiary, you may end up paying for that decision down the line. Even if content isn’t pulled down, it may be demonetized. 
  • Excessive swearing: YouTube will let you get away with some swearing (see our post on how a little swearing on YouTube won’t get you demonetized) but excessive profanity can get your channel flagged or your content demonetized.
    YouTube also doesn’t look kindly on “shocking” content. Again, after incidents like the Adpocalypse and the COPPA clampdown, the platform has to keep on the right side of the brands that advertise with it. In this age of social media, brands face a potentially massive backlash if they are seen to be advertising against controversial content, whatever form it takes. YouTube would rather avoid any scandals by nipping the problem in the bud and not allowing repeat offenders into the Partner Program in the first place. Be warned. 
    You may think you’re being clever if you use a clickbait thumbnail to trick viewers into your watching your content, but along with being punished with low engagement and retention rates, YouTube really doesn’t like this approach and your YPP application may not be successful.

What kind of videos or topics can’t be monetized on YouTube?

Beyond general eligibility rules, the YouTube USA Partner Program requirements also restrict the types of content USA YouTube is willing to promote through ads. Under the monetization rules YouTube 2026, YouTube clearly outlines these limitations in its Advertiser Friendly Content Guidelines. Channels that consistently publish restricted content are far more likely to be rejected or removed from the Partner Program.

  • Overtly graphical or sexual content (i.e. no porn, please)
  • Content that pushes dangerous or harmful content that is likely to lead to violence
  • Videos that include hateful or discriminatory content
  • Videos that depict violence without any added context: News and journalism outlets can report on events that include violence, like warfare or rioting, for example, but non-news sources that post gratuitous violence for the sake of it won’t be monetized.

News and USA journalism channels may report on violent events when context is provided, but entertainment or commentary channels posting violence without explanation are typically not monetized. Using tools like the TubeBuddy Chapter Editor helps add context and structure to sensitive segments, reducing the risk of contextless violence flags.

Stay active on YouTube to keep making money
If you’ve been accepted into the YouTube Partner Program, congratulations but this is only the start. Under the YouTube monetization requirements, channels must remain active to keep monetization enabled.If your channel does not upload a public video or post to the Community Tab for six consecutive months, YouTube reserves the right to remove your access to the Partner Program. Channels that lose access must reapply to regain monetization.Losing YPP access also means losing any passive income generated from previously uploaded content.To avoid this, maintain consistent activity using tools like the TubeBuddy Scheduling Tools and Best Time to Publish to plan uploads efficiently. Posting in the Community Tab counts as channel activity and can help you stay compliant if you’re unable to publish new videos or Shorts temporarily.

There it is; that’s all the main info you need on how to make money via the YouTube Partner Program. We’ve included links to lots of resources to help you, plus you should jump to Google for the official details on YouTube monetization.

Stay tuned to the TubeBuddy blog, and our YouTube channel and social channels as we bring you all the strategies and tips needed to help you grow your YouTube channel in 2026 and beyond.

What are the YouTube monetization requirements in 2026?

The YouTube monetization requirements include meeting subscriber and watch time or Shorts view thresholds, complying with content and community policies, linking an AdSense account, enabling two-factor authentication, and meeting all YouTube Partner Program guidelines.

How many subscribers do you need to monetize your YouTube channel?

To monetize your YouTube channel, you need either 500 subscribers for early access monetization or 1,000 subscribers to unlock full ad revenue, along with the required watch time or Shorts views.

Do YouTube Shorts count toward monetization in 2026?

Yes. Shorts views count toward monetization. Creators can qualify using Shorts views instead of watch time under updated YouTube monetization rules for 2026.

How long does YouTube monetization approval take?

The typical YouTube monetization approval time is around 30 days. Delays may occur due to manual reviews, reused content, or overall channel history.

Why was my YouTube monetization application rejected?

Applications are commonly rejected due to reused or non-original content, policy violations, misleading thumbnails or metadata, or failure to fully meet YouTube Partner Program requirements. Tools like the TubeBuddy Keyword Explorer, SEO Studio, and Retention Analyzer help identify and fix these issues before reapplying.

Posted on 2026/01/27 08:56 AM