Wondering how to make money on YouTube? Whether you’re starting your first channel or looking to diversify your income, there are multiple ways to earn, from YouTube ads and affiliate marketing to memberships, YouTube Shopping, and AI-powered content. This guide explains how YouTube monetization works, the latest YouTube Partner Program requirements, and practical strategies beginners can use to start earning.
What is the YouTube Partner Program?
The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is YouTube’s official monetization program that allows eligible creators to earn revenue from ads, YouTube Premium, memberships, Super Chat, Shopping, and other monetization features.
How many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube?
One of the biggest misconceptions among new creators is that YouTube has only one monetization threshold. Since the expansion of YPP, the platform now offers two different eligibility tiers, giving smaller creators access to monetization features much earlier than before.
Tier 1: Early Access (500 Subscribers)
Creators can unlock fan-funding features after reaching:
- 500 subscribers
- 3 public uploads within the last 90 days
- Either:
- 3,000 valid public watch hours on long-form videos within the past 365 days, or
- 3 million valid Shorts views within the last 90 days
At this level, creators can access:
- Channel Memberships
- Super Chat
- Super Stickers
- Super Thanks
- Selected YouTube Shopping features (availability varies by country)
However, this tier does not include advertising revenue.
Tier 2: Full Ad Revenue
To earn money from YouTube Ads through AdSense, creators must meet one of the following requirements:
- Option 1: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours within the last 12 months
- Option 2: 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid Shorts views within the last 90 days
In addition, every applicant must:
- Enable 2-Step Verification
- Link an approved Google AdSense account
- Have no active Community Guidelines strikes
- Comply with all YouTube monetization and advertiser-friendly content policies
Meeting these thresholds does not guarantee approval. Every channel is manually reviewed to ensure it follows YouTube’s monetization policies and publishes original, advertiser-friendly content.
| Requirement | Early Access YPP | Full Ad Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 500 | 1,000 |
| Public uploads | 3 (last 90 days) | 3 (last 90 days) |
| Watch hours | 3,000 | 4,000 |
| Shorts views | 3 million | 10 million |
| AdSense revenue | ❌ | ✅ |
| Memberships & Super Chat | ✅ | ✅ |
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?
One of the most searched questions by aspiring creators is “How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a single answer.
YouTube doesn’t pay creators based on views alone. Instead, earnings are influenced by factors such as your audience’s location, content niche, advertiser demand, viewer engagement, watch time, and whether viewers watch skippable or non-skippable ads.
That’s why two channels with the same number of views can generate dramatically different amounts of revenue.
What’s the difference between CPM and RPM?
Before estimating your potential income, it’s important to understand two key metrics.
| Metric | What it means | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| CPM (Cost Per Mille) | The amount advertisers pay for every 1,000 ad impressions. | Advertisers |
| RPM (Revenue Per Mille) | The revenue creators receive per 1,000 video views after YouTube’s revenue share and accounting for views that don’t generate ads. | Creators |
Because YouTube shares advertising revenue with creators, RPM is always lower than CPM. RPM also reflects all monetized revenue, including ads, YouTube Premium, Super Chat, and Memberships, divided by total video views.
For creators, RPM is the more meaningful metric because it reflects what actually reaches your account. YouTube explains both metrics in its official Analytics documentation.
How much does YouTube pay per view by country?
There is no official YouTube rate card for CPM or RPM. The platform does not publish country-specific earnings because they fluctuate continuously based on advertiser competition, seasonality, audience demographics, and content category.
However, industry benchmarks from creator economy analytics platforms consistently show several trends
| Market | Estimated RPM* |
|---|---|
| United States | $3 – $15+ |
| Australia | $4 – $18+ |
| United Kingdom | $3 – $12 |
| Singapore | $2 – $8 |
| Malaysia | $1 – $4 |
| Thailand | $0.8 – $3 |
| Philippines | $0.5 – $2.5 |
| Vietnam | $0.5 – $2 |
The key takeaway is clear: audience geography matters as much as view count. For example, a finance channel with 100,000 monthly views from the United States may generate several times more ad revenue than an entertainment channel with the same number of views from Vietnam.
Which Youtube niches pay the highest RPM?
If your goal is to maximize YouTube income, choosing the right niche can be just as important as growing your subscriber count.
Advertisers don’t pay based on views alone, they pay for access to audiences that are likely to purchase high-value products or services. As a result, niches with strong commercial intent typically command much higher CPMs and RPMs than entertainment-focused content.
Finance, insurance, and real estate content earn the highest RPM because advertisers there chase high-value leads; music, comedy, and gaming sit at the low end. A lower-CPM niche isn’t a dead end, it’s a reason to add a second income stream.
| Niche | Why Advertisers Pay More | Typical RPM Potential* |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Finance & Investing | High-value financial products and services | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Insurance | Expensive customer acquisition | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Legal | High-value legal leads | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Real Estate | Property and mortgage advertising | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Business & Entrepreneurship | B2B products and business services | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| SaaS & Software Reviews | Subscription-based software with high customer lifetime value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| AI Tools & Productivity | Rapidly growing enterprise software market | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Education & Online Learning | Course platforms and EdTech advertisers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Technology Reviews | Consumer electronics and software launches | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Health & Medical | Healthcare providers and wellness brands | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
*The table compares relative earning potential rather than guaranteed RPM. Actual revenue varies depending on audience location, viewer demographics, watch time, advertiser demand,…
Shorts vs. Long-form Videos: Which pays more?
Another common misconception is that viral Shorts automatically generate high income.
In reality, YouTube Shorts generally have a much lower RPM than long-form videos because advertising revenue is pooled and distributed differently under the Shorts monetization model.
Although Shorts can generate millions of views quickly, many creators report that long-form videos continue to produce substantially higher earnings per 1,000 views, especially in high-value niches.
This doesn’t mean Shorts aren’t valuable. Instead, many successful creators use Shorts to increase discoverability while relying on long-form videos for higher advertising revenue and stronger audience relationships. YouTube also notes that Shorts and long-form content serve different roles in a channel’s growth strategy.
How to make money on YouTube without 1,000 Subscribers?
One of the fastest-growing search queries today is “how to make money on YouTube without 1,000 subscribers.” The reason is simple: building an audience takes time, while many creators want to start earning as early as possible.
The good news is that you don’t have to wait for YouTube AdSense to generate income. In fact, many successful creators earn their first revenue long before joining the YouTube Partner Program.
Here are the most effective ways to monetize your YouTube channel before reaching 1,000 subscribers.
Affiliate Marketing (Best for Beginners)
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest and lowest-risk ways to earn money on YouTube because you don’t need to own a product or meet YouTube’s monetization requirements.
Instead, you recommend products or services and earn a commission whenever someone purchases through your affiliate link.
Typical places to include affiliate links:
- Video descriptions
- Pinned comments
- Link-in-bio pages
- Product review articles
- Community posts.
This strategy works especially well for channels covering:
- Tech reviews
- Beauty
- Home & Living
- Fitness
- Parenting
- Travel
- Software
- Personal Finance.
For example, a creator reviewing skincare products can include affiliate links to the featured items. Even with only a few thousand monthly viewers, those videos can generate commissions if the audience has strong purchase intent.
Unlike AdSense, affiliate income depends on conversions rather than views, making it a more scalable monetization model for niche creators.
For creators in Southeast Asia, this strategy is often more effective than relying solely on YouTube Ads. Instead of relying on an RPM of around $0.50–2 per 1,000 views, creators can earn commissions directly from completed purchases.
Platforms such as Ecomobi Passio allow creators to monetize content through affiliate campaigns from leading brands across TikTok Shop, Shopee, and other social commerce ecosystems. This enables creators to start earning commissions while they continue growing their YouTube audience.
Brand Sponsorships
Many beginners assume brands only work with creators who have hundreds of thousands of subscribers. In reality, brands increasingly prioritize engagement, audience trust, and niche relevance over subscriber count.
For example:
- A finance creator with 5,000 subscribers may attract fintech sponsors.
- A beauty creator with 3,000 loyal followers can secure skincare collaborations.
- A local travel creator may partner with hotels or tourism businesses.
This trend has contributed to the rise of micro-influencers, who often achieve higher engagement rates than larger creators.
Sell digital products or services
YouTube can also function as a lead generation channel rather than a direct revenue source. Many creators monetize by selling: Online courses, Templates, Presets, E-books, Consulting services, Coaching sessions, Freelance services,…
For example, a graphic designer might publish Photoshop tutorials on YouTube while selling premium design templates through their own website.
This business model often delivers significantly higher profit margins than advertising revenue alone.
Drive traffic to your website
If you run a blog or affiliate website, YouTube can become an effective traffic acquisition channel. Instead of trying to maximize ad revenue from each video, you can use YouTube to direct viewers toward:
- Product comparison articles
- Buying guides
- Email newsletters
- Affiliate landing pages
- Software reviews
This strategy is particularly popular among publishers because it combines the discoverability of video with the higher conversion rates of long-form written content.
Membership
Another way to make money on YouTube is through the Paid Membership program. When a viewer signs up to become a paid member on your channel, they can receive emojis, badges, special interactions during livestreams, or exclusive content. Additionally, as a channel owner, you can choose the membership benefits and price for each membership level.
YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service that allows users to watch videos without ads and offers additional features like offline viewing. When Premium users watch your videos, you receive a portion of their subscription fee revenue. This revenue is shared based on how long users watch your videos.
How to make money on YouTube without showing face?
One of the fastest-growing trends in the creator economy is the rise of faceless YouTube channels. From educational explainers to documentary-style videos, thousands of successful channels have built loyal audiences without ever appearing on camera.
However, faceless does not mean effortless. Successful channels still rely on original storytelling, valuable insights, and consistent production quality.
Educational videos
Educational content remains one of the most sustainable YouTube niches because viewers actively search for answers and tutorials.
Topics such as personal finance, productivity, history, AI, digital marketing, and language learning consistently attract evergreen traffic. Most creators combine screen recordings, stock footage, animations, graphics, and voiceovers to explain complex topics in a clear, engaging way.
Software tutorials
Screen-recorded tutorials are another popular faceless format. If you have expertise in tools like Excel, Photoshop, Canva, ChatGPT, video editing software, or programming, you can build an audience simply by demonstrating workflows and solving practical problems.
These channels often attract viewers with strong purchase intent, making them excellent candidates for affiliate marketing alongside YouTube Ads.
Documentary and explainer channels
Documentary-style videos rely on research and storytelling rather than personal branding. Instead of appearing on camera, creators use licensed footage, public-domain images, motion graphics, maps, and professional narration to explain historical events, business stories, technology trends, or scientific concepts. Many of today’s largest educational channels follow this format.
Product reviews
Another effective approach is reviewing products without showing your face. Close-up demonstrations of smartphones, cameras, keyboards, beauty products, or home appliances allow viewers to evaluate features while keeping the focus entirely on the product.
This format is particularly profitable because it combines advertising revenue with affiliate commissions generated through product recommendations.
How does YouTube pay?
YouTube pays creators through the Google AdSense system. Here are the conditions for you to receive money from YouTube:
- You need to have a YouTube account and link it to your Google AdSense account.
- Payment threshold: The minimum is $100, which means when your YouTube earnings reach $100 or more, AdSense will make a payment the following month.
- Payment time: YouTube pays monthly. Revenue from the previous month will be summarized on the 10th – 14th of each month and payments will be made around the 21st – 26th of the following month. For example: If you earned $120 in November, you will receive a payment from YouTube around December 21st – 26th.
How to enable monetization on Youtube
Step 1: Create an account and register
Open YouTube, select the profile icon in the upper right corner ⮕ go to YouTube Studio ⮕ click on Monetization in the left column ⮕ If your channel meets the requirements, you will see the Apply for Monetization button ⮕ click Apply Now.
Step 2: Read and agree to YPP terms
- Click the Get Started button to begin the process.
- Read the terms carefully and click I Agree to accept.
Step 3: Link Google AdSense account
To enable monetization on YouTube, you need to link your Google Adsense account. If you already have an Adsense account, select “Yes, I already have an account”. If you don’t have one, select “No, I don’t have an account” and follow the instructions to create a new account.
Step 4: Wait for review
After completing the above steps, YouTube will review your channel. This process can take several weeks, depending on how many channels are waiting for review. You will receive an email notification when your channel is accepted or rejected from the program.
FAQ
How many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube?
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?
There is no fixed rate. Your earnings depend on your audience’s country, niche, advertiser demand, and engagement. Industry estimates suggest RPM can range from under $1 in some markets to well over $10 in high-value niches, while finance, insurance, and software channels generally earn higher RPM than entertainment content.
Can you make money on YouTube without showing your face?
Do AI-made YouTube channels get demonetized?
What’s the fastest way to earn on YouTube before hitting YPP thresholds?
Affiliate marketing. A product link in your description or pinned comment can generate commission from your first video, with no subscriber or watch-hour requirement.
Do you need YPP approval to earn on YouTube?
No. A 2022 academic study of 71 million+ videos across 136,000+ channels found off-platform monetization already appears in 18% of all videos, with 61% of channels using it at least once — dominated by affiliate marketing. Ad revenue was never the whole picture, even before AdSense eligibility.
Is faceless content still allowed to monetize in 2026?
Yes, but the risk profile changed. YouTube renamed its “repetitious content” rule to “inauthentic content” and is enforcing it more strictly against AI-generated spam, lazy compilations, and mass-produced content.
What makes a faceless channel safe to monetize on Youtube?
Original scripting, original editing decisions, original research. A voiceover or compilation format is fine as long as a viewer could tell a human made creative choices somewhere in the video, not a fully automated pipeline reassembling someone else’s footage.
Learning how to make money on YouTube is no longer just about reaching 1,000 subscribers or accumulating 4,000 watch hours. While the YouTube Partner Program remains an important milestone, today’s creator economy rewards those who build sustainable businesses rather than relying on a single income source.
If you’re looking to diversify your income beyond AdSense, Ecomobi Passio enables creators across Southeast Asia to earn affiliate commissions from leading brands through TikTok Shop, Shopee, and other social commerce platforms, helping you monetize your influence even while your YouTube channel is still growing.
Contact us:
– Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/ecomobi.ssp
– Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ecomobi.philippines
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecomobi.philippines
