How to Get Monetized on YouTube: Requirements, Tips and Best Practices for 2025

Are you a content creator wanting to make money from your videos? Good news! YouTube has already changed its monetization rules, and it will be a lot easier for you to start earning.

‍

If you’ve ever felt the old requirements were too difficult to reach, get ready to celebrate. YouTube has lowered the bar, opening up new opportunities for creators like you.

‍

In this guide, we'll explore the new requirements, what they mean for you, and how you can make the most of these exciting changes.

How to Monetize Your YouTube Account in 2025: Steps to Follow 

With YouTube’s recent announcement, setting up your YouTube account through the YouTube Partner Program is easy. When you access YouTube Studio, you will find the monetization tab. You can sign up for the program once your account meets the required views and subscriber criteria.

‍

Your account will be reviewed following your application to the program, and you should receive notification of your acceptance shortly. You can now start making money from your account and expand your sources of income.

‍

Check in frequently to see how you're doing since your data for items like advertising will be displayed in YouTube Studio and AdSense. You'll also get helpful information about how you're doing and where you can improve from this.

Follow Youtube Monetization Requirements

Joining the YouTube Partner Programme is the first step towards making money from your YouTube videos (YPP.) Even though anyone may make a YouTube account, in order to join YPP, you must fulfill a few essential standards. You should keep these in mind whenever you make content.

Before your channel is taken into consideration for the program, your channel needs to hit a few goals within the last 90 days:

• Subscribers: At least 500 people need to hit that subscribe button.
• Uploads: You’ve gotta have at least 3 public videos up.
• Watch Time or Shorts Views: Either 3,000 hours of people watching your regular videos or 3 million views on your Shorts.

Once you meet these, you unlock cool stuff like Super Chat, Super Stickers, and channel memberships, where your fans can support you directly.

But if you’re looking to make money from ads, there’s a bit more to do:

• Subscribers: You’ll need 1,000 subscribers.
• Watch Time or Shorts Views: Either 4,000 hours of watch time in the last year or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.

Basically, hit these milestones, and you’re on your way to earning on YouTube! However, don’t let monetizing your channel turn into a nightmare or a disappointing loss of something you deserve. Be careful, or you could lose it. Follow these extra requirements:

• Compliance: You must follow YouTube's Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, and monetization policies.
• Account Security: Set up 2-Step Verification on your Google Account.
• AdSense Account: Link an active AdSense account to your YouTube channel to process payments.

You can easily meet these standards by growing your audience and creating outstanding content. 

‍

Creating outstanding content? It’s like standing at the bottom of this huge mountain, looking up.

‍

The climb’s steep, and every step feels like it eats up all your time, energy, and creativity.

‍

When you’re new, it’s like running in circles—posting daily Shorts, trying out long-form videos, testing ideas—just hoping something sticks.

‍

All while that elusive goal of monetization dangles just out of reach.

But is editing also your bottleneck? It eats up hours, drains you, and by the time you’re done, you’re wiped out before even hitting upload.

‍

You pour everything into it and then wonder if it’s sustainable. It’s exhausting.

‍

That’s when I decided to learn how to generate videos purely from text.

‍

And after trying 200 AI tools, Zebracat is the best text-to-video generator so far. It made producing high-quality content so much easier and faster without losing any quality.

With Zebracat, you can make all kinds of videos—stock footage, AI-generated images, even talking avatars. You just pay once for Zebracat and get access to everything. No more spending on a bunch of different tools—just one platform that does it all

‍

No more endless hunts for stock footage or worrying about copyright. Forget spending all night perfecting your timeline. You just type out your idea, click a few times, and boom—your video’s ready. Script, voiceover, music, everything.

‍

If you want to make money on YouTube but don’t want to show your face—maybe you’re shy, or there’s another reason holding you back—you can totally use Zebracat to bring your faceless YouTube channel ideas to life.

‍

You don’t need to learn video editing, spend hours writing scripts, or piece together all the elements for your videos just to get a few views. You deserve to go viral without stressing over your videos. That’s the freedom and beauty of creating content—and making money—on YouTube.

‍

It’s not just me—over 50,000 marketers, content creators, and business owners are already using this tool and are super impressed with how useful it is. 

If you don’t want to be the last to know about Zebracat, jump in right now! You will wish why you don’t know about Zebracat sooner (I also wished the same!).

‍

Does YouTube monetize AI-generated videos? Why not? Is there any official document from YouTube saying AI-generated content isn’t eligible for monetization? 

‍

Or are you just seeing hundreds—maybe thousands—of new AI channels popping up and collecting all the money YouTube has to offer? 

‍

Just look at this channel:

This channel hit 154,000 subscribers with just 195 videos—all created using AI. And guess what? The channel’s less than 8 months old. Crazy, right? Check out their popular videos—some of them have racked up millions of views, all made with AI tools. 

‍

And yeah, he’s consistently making over $2,000. That’s just what he’s earning now, even though he doesn’t upload videos to his channel as often anymore. Before that, he was making even more.

So, I think you’ve seen enough proof and inspiration to start your own faceless channel and start monetizing it. Am I right?

‍

You can try Zebracat for free. No credit card, no hidden costs. 

‍

Just give it a try and see how many videos Zebracat can help you go viral with

‍

...and how much easier it feels knowing your videos are being published regularly, all thanks to Zebracat.

‍

Seriously, why waste time struggling with outdated methods when you could be scaling your channel?

Zebracat is an application where you can create any videos from simple text. 

‍

All you have to do is paste or type in your content idea, pick a few options—like video ratio, AI voiceovers, language, and background music—and your video’s ready to go viral, like my video here.

Set Up an AdSense Account

If you want to make money from YouTube ads, you’ll need a Google AdSense account. It’s how YouTube knows where to send your money. Without it, all those ad views and clicks on your videos won’t translate into a single penny.

What is Google AdSense and Why Do You Need It?

AdSense is a platform created by Google. It’s where you withdraw the money you earn from your YouTube channel.

Without AdSense, YouTube wouldn’t know where to send your earnings. It’s also a secure way to make sure you’re paid directly to your bank account.

Imagine a friend owes you money but doesn’t know your bank details or how to transfer the cash. That’s what it’s like trying to earn money from YouTube without AdSense—nearly impossible.

How Does It Work?

Here’s how AdSense makes sure you get paid:

1. Ad Revenue Split: YouTube shows ads on your videos and collects money from advertisers. Then, they split the revenue with you—55% goes to you, and YouTube keeps the rest.
2. Tracking Earnings: AdSense monitors how much your videos earn, whether it’s through ad clicks or views.
3. Payment: Once you hit the payment threshold (usually $100), AdSense transfers the money directly to your account.

How to Set It Up

Let’s get your AdSense account up and running:

1. Sign In to YouTube Studio: Go to the "Monetization" tab and follow the prompts to sign up for AdSense.
2. Fill Out Details: Enter your personal information, including your name, address, and tax details.

3. Verify Your Account: Google will send you a verification code to confirm your address.
4. Connect Your Bank Account: Add your bank details so Google knows where to send your earnings.

A Few Tips

• Be Patient: AdSense may take a few weeks to verify your account, especially when sending the verification code by mail.
• Watch Your Threshold: You’ll only get paid once your earnings reach $100, so don’t panic if you don’t see payments immediately.
• Check Policies: Make sure your content complies with AdSense policies to avoid getting your account suspended.

💡 A Quick Reminder: AdSense doesn’t just work for YouTube—it also works for blogs, websites, and apps. If you’re running multiple platforms, AdSense is a one-stop solution for tracking your ad revenue.

Why It Matters

AdSense isn’t just about getting paid; it’s about building a system that works for you. Once it’s set up, everything runs smoothly in the background, allowing you to focus on creating great content. It’s like setting up a savings account—once it’s ready, you can watch your earnings grow with every video you upload.

Getting started might feel a bit tedious, but once it’s done, you’re officially in business!

Enable Monetization in Your Channel Settings

Turning on monetization for your channel is like flipping a switch to start earning. Here’s how you can enable monetization on your YouTube channel, step by step.

How to Enable Monetization

1. Go to YouTube Studio: Log in to your YouTube account and click on your profile picture in the top-right corner. From the dropdown menu, select YouTube Studio.

2. Find the Monetization Tab: On the left-hand side menu, click on Monetization.

3. Check Eligibility: If you meet the requirements (subscribers, uploads, watch time, or Shorts views), you’ll see the option to apply.

4. Follow the Steps: YouTube will guide you through the process:some text
   • Accept the Terms: Read and agree to the YouTube Partner Program terms.
   • Link Your AdSense Account: If you haven’t already, this is the time to set it up.
   • Monetization Preferences: Choose the types of ads you want to run on your videos (e.g., skippable, display, bumper ads).
5. Enable Ads for Your Videos: Once your account is approved, go to your content library in YouTube Studio and enable monetization for each video individually.

Common Troubleshooting Tips

Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. Here are a few issues you might run into and how to fix them:

• Monetization Tab Missing: If you can’t see the monetization tab, it’s likely because you haven’t met the eligibility criteria. Check your subscribers, watch time, and uploads first.

• AdSense Errors: If AdSense isn’t linking properly, double-check your email address and ensure it matches the one associated with your YouTube account.
• Approval Delays: It can take several days (sometimes weeks) for YouTube to review your channel. Be patient and keep creating quality content while you wait.
• Videos Not Showing Ads: Make sure you’ve manually enabled ads for each video. Go to Content, select a video, and toggle monetization to On.

A Few Extra Tips

• Review Policies: Double-check YouTube’s monetization policies to avoid strikes or suspensions.

• Experiment with Ads: You can choose where ads appear in your videos (before, during, or after). Try different placements to see what works best for your audience without being too intrusive.
• Track Performance: Use YouTube Studio to monitor how your monetized videos are performing and tweak your strategy as needed.

Enabling monetization might seem like a small step, but it’s a big moment for your channel. It means you’re ready to turn your hard work into something that pays off. Take it one step at a time, and soon enough, you’ll be earning from the content you love to create.

6 Tips to Monetize Your YouTube Videos

You will only start making money after you've reached a stage where YouTube monetization rules 2025 are feasible. You must adhere to the guidelines that have helped you get this far.

‍

As with any publication, the most important thing is to keep providing value to your intended audience; therefore, here are some areas to pay particular attention to:

1. Sponsor Only Goods That You Would Purchase

Imagine this: a YouTuber you love recommends a gadget that promises to change your life. You buy it, and it’s a complete dud. How would you feel? Probably betrayed, right? That’s exactly what happens when creators promote products they don’t believe in.

Sponsoring products is a great way to earn money, but only promote things you genuinely like or would buy yourself. Why? Because your audience trusts you. If that trust breaks, it’s almost impossible to get it back.

What Works Best on YouTube?

• Tech Products: Reviews for phones, laptops, and gadgets perform well. People love watching creators test them in real life.
• Lifestyle Products: Fitness gear, skincare, and home decor often sell quickly if the creator uses them personally.
• Educational Tools: Courses, eBooks, and software subscriptions resonate with audiences looking to learn or improve a skill.

💡 Quick Tip: Spend time using the product before agreeing to promote it. If it doesn’t meet your standards, say no—even if it’s a tempting paycheck.

2. Maintain Consistency When Publishing

Consistency is like keeping a promise. If you show up for your audience regularly, they’ll keep coming back. But if you disappear for months at a time, they’ll move on to someone else.

Stick to a schedule that works for you—whether it’s once a week or once a month. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to post daily if it’s too much to handle. It’s better to have one high-quality video every two weeks than five rushed, forgettable ones.

Why It Matters:

• Channels that post consistently grow 30% faster than those with irregular uploads.
• Consistency trains the YouTube algorithm to recommend your content more often.

With ZebraCat, you can create video content consistently without wasting a ton of time on it.

3. Never Sacrifice Quality for Quantity

It’s tempting to pump out videos just to stay active, but quality matters more than numbers. A single, well-crafted video can outperform ten mediocre ones.

Imagine a chef rushing through their dishes just to serve more customers. The food will suffer, and eventually, no one will come back. The same goes for your content. Take the time to plan, edit, and polish every video.

Focus Areas:

• Invest in better equipment (lighting, camera, or microphone).
• Use tools like Zebracat to create polished videos faster.
• Write scripts that engage and educate your audience.

Remember, your videos are your brand. Each one should reflect the value you want to deliver.

4. Attempt to Understand Who You Are Speaking To

If you don’t know who you’re talking to, how can you give them what they need? Take time to understand your audience—their age, interests, struggles, and goals.

I used to create videos that I thought my audience wanted. Turns out, I was wrong. Once I started asking them directly (through polls and comments), everything changed.

How to Learn About Your Audience:

• Check YouTube Analytics for demographic insights.
• Read comments to see what questions they’re asking.
• Use community posts or Instagram polls to ask what content they want.

When you understand your audience, creating valuable content becomes easier—and they’ll reward you with loyalty and engagement.

5. Expand the Variety of Your Channels

Relying solely on YouTube is risky. Algorithms change, trends shift, and platforms evolve. Expanding your presence across multiple channels can help you build a stronger, more resilient brand.

Where to Expand:

• Social Media: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are excellent for reaching new audiences.
• Blogs: Write articles to share tips, reviews, or tutorials that complement your videos.
• Email Lists: Build a newsletter to stay connected with your audience, even if algorithms stop favoring your channel.

Think of your online presence like a table. You don’t want it to stand on just one leg (YouTube). Add more legs (platforms) to make it steady and unshakable.

6. Give Your Devoted Supporters Something

Your loyal fans are the backbone of your channel. They’re the ones who comment on every video, share your content, and cheer you on. Give them something special to show your appreciation.

What You Can Offer:

• Exclusive content (behind-the-scenes videos or early access).
• Personalized shoutouts in your videos.
• Physical or digital merch (stickers, T-shirts, or eBooks).

You don’t need to spend a fortune. Even small gestures, like replying to comments or hosting a live Q&A, go a long way in making your supporters feel valued.

To meet your new YouTube monetization requirements, you must expand your profile across all platforms, so ensure you have a broad focus and constantly strive for improvement.

YouTube Video Monetization: 8 Strategies for 2025 

The most obvious approach to making money from your content may be through advertising. Still, there are other ways to monetize your videos, and different strategies will work for different content creators.

‍

Everybody's content is unique, as are their methods for generating income. Let’s have a look at different strategies.

1. Ad Revenue

Ad money is the first thing that comes to mind when joining the YouTube Partner Program, and it is a significant source of income.

‍

You can activate advertisements for any video that complies with YouTube's advertiser-friendly content criteria as soon as you are approved for the YPP. This makes it possible for advertisements to appear on your work, and YouTube pays advertisers a portion of those profits, which they then divide with you.

How to Activate Advertisements

1. Enter your YouTube Studio.
2. In the sidebar on the left, select Monetization.
3. Decide which kind of advertisements to display and click on “Save”.

2. Premium YouTube

As soon as you sign up for the YouTube Partner Program, you can also make money through YouTube Premium, which can increase your earnings.

All YouTube account holders can access YouTube Premium, which provides users with an enhanced experience. The main selling feature of YouTube Premium is the removal of all advertisements, which lets users watch their favorite videos continuously. It also enables the YouTube app's background operation without pauses in the video.

‍

Given that over 100 million YouTube Premium users are active, you may be compensated as a creator and YPP member each time a Premium member views your material.

‍

Once you're accepted into the YPP, you can use this function without having to modify your account because you get paid automatically whenever a YouTube Premium member watches your material.

‍

‍

3. Subscription Channels

Channel subscriptions are similar to using a membership program to monetize your website. In exchange for paying a membership fee, your members can access exclusive films, live chats, emojis, badges, and other content.

‍

Of course, to help your channel develop, you will still need to concentrate on your free content, but this will allow you to make the most money from some of your best videos.

‍

As you might think, there are additional restrictions on accessing this money stream. Nevertheless, channel memberships are a terrific tool for monetizing your videos. More than 30,000 subscribers are required.

‍

YouTube must be certain that you're providing value before it will allow you to charge users for private content. It does this in part by analyzing the number of subscribers to your channel. After you've accomplished this goal, it will be simple for you to activate channel members and begin using this feature.

How to Activate Memberships in Channels

1. Open YouTube Studio and log in.
2. From the sidebar on the left, choose "Monetization." or "Earn.”

3. Select “Memberships”

4. Select your price structure (you can reach a wide range of price points by creating various membership tiers).

5. Click on the "Turn on" button.

Super Stickers and Super Chat

You may have watched a YouTube livestream and pondered how certain users could highlight their messages during the live conversation. They've bought a super chat or super sticker, enabling them to feature and pin their message at the top of the chat.

‍

Super Chat provides additional revenue streams for content providers and gives viewers more access to the brand they are interacting with.

‍

Super Chat can cost users up to $500. You keep about 70% of the money, while YouTube keeps the remaining 30%. If you have a sizable audience viewing a stream, this can add up quickly.

‍

Make sure you're in the appropriate places before setting up this fantastic cash stream, as Super Chat and Super Stickers have some regional restrictions.

How to Activate Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super ThanksSuper Thanks

1. Enter your YouTube Studio.
2. Choose "Monetization" or “Earn” from the sidebar on the left.
3. Choose "Supers” from the top menu, then turn on all the options.

4. Create Sponsored Content

There are other ways to earn money outside the YouTube Partner Program.

‍

You may also monetarily support your YouTube videos with sponsored material and earn a respectable income. There is a sizable industry for this, which entails approaching firms and offering to make videos that highlight their products.

‍

If your videos receive a lot of views and qualify as new YouTube monetization requirements, consider using this option as your main source of income. Businesses are prepared to pay a substantial sum of money to have their brands seen by a large and engaged audience.

‍

YouTube BrandConnect is an excellent resource for connecting with potential sponsors for your YouTube content. It matches you with sponsors based on an algorithm. It's a good path to explore, but like any monetization approach, the amount you get paid depends on the quantity and quality of your work. Don’t forget to give it a try in Zebracat to maintain the quantity plus quality of content.

5. Raise Money for Your Projects

You may utilize the same concept—which you may be familiar with from startup crowdfunding—to generate money for your YouTube material. Using third-party apps, you can locate people willing to support your work in exchange for exclusive financial benefits.

‍

A sponsor button that you can add to your films is another new option that YouTube has added to its crowdfunding offering. This lets you encourage your audience in exchange for monthly financial support. Initially available just on gaming channels, this feature is progressively being added to additional channels.

6. Sell Merchandise

If your content establishes a strong brand, your audience will likely want to interact with it by purchasing items.

You can start making money from your channel by using YouTube's merchandising function after it has 10,000 subscribers or more. While this option might not be appropriate for every channel, certain YouTuber accounts can earn a sizable income from it.

How to Turn on Merchandise

1. Visit YouTube Studio.
2. Select "Monetization" from the option on the left.
3. Select the "merchandise" tab (you won't be able to see it unless you are eligible).

8. Become an Affiliate

Creators have always loved monetizing their blogs and videos with affiliate links—it’s a solid way to earn extra cash.

When you join an affiliate program, you pick products to promote and earn a percentage of every sale made through your unique link.

Take the ZebraCat AI affiliate program, for example. It’s a fantastic opportunity for affiliate marketers to build a solid, recurring revenue stream. With a 30% commission on every new subscription, the earning potential is huge.

Here’s the math: if you bring in just 10 Super Cat Plan members, you could earn around $2,800 every month, paid straight to your PayPal. And because ZebraCat is such a high-demand video creation tool, it’s super easy to promote. The consistent revenue potential makes it a no-brainer.

Affiliate offers come in all shapes and sizes, but they can be a great way to make money—especially if they fit well with your content.

The easiest way to use affiliate links is to drop them in your post's description. But you can also work them right into the content of your video.

Just remember, good content always adds value. So, make sure the affiliate links you share are relevant and actually useful to your audience. The quality of the products you promote reflects on you, so pick ones that match the level of your content

FAQs

Is making money on YouTube difficult?

Earning money on YouTube requires dedication and strategy. Success depends on creating engaging content, building a loyal audience, and meeting YouTube's monetization criteria. While some creators achieve rapid growth, many invest significant time and effort before seeing substantial earnings. 

For me, making money on YouTube wasn’t that hard. I see a lot of people saying they’ve struggled to monetize even after 4 years, but it only took me about 5 months. If you want to speed things up, you can use AI tools like Zebracat to create videos faster and more efficiently!

How does YouTube transfer the money?

YouTube pays creators through Google AdSense. Once your earnings reach the payment threshold (typically $100), AdSense issues payments via methods like direct bank deposits or checks, depending on your country. It's important to note that not all countries support every payment method, so you'll need to choose an option available in your region.

What types of content are ineligible for monetization?

Content that violates YouTube's Community Guidelines or AdSense policies is ineligible for monetization. This includes videos with inappropriate language, violence, adult content, or misleading information. Additionally, reused content without significant original commentary or educational value may not qualify.

How can I track my earnings on YouTube?

You can monitor your earnings through YouTube Studio's Analytics section, which provides detailed reports on revenue sources, estimated earnings, and performance metrics. 

Additionally, your AdSense account offers comprehensive insights into your earnings and payment history.

How long does it take to get approved for monetization?

After applying to the YouTube Partner Program, the review process typically takes about a month. However, this duration can vary based on application volume and the completeness of your channel's compliance with YouTube's policies.

Can I monetize multiple channels under one account?

Yes, you can link multiple YouTube channels to a single AdSense account. Each channel must individually meet the monetization requirements and adhere to YouTube's policies.

What are YouTube's policies on copyrighted content?

YouTube strictly prohibits the use of copyrighted material without permission. Uploading such content can lead to strikes against your channel, demonetization, or even termination. Always ensure you have the rights to any content you upload.

How do CPM rates vary by country on YouTube?

Cost Per Mille (CPM) rates differ across countries due to factors like advertiser demand and audience demographics. Generally, countries with higher advertising competition and stronger economies tend to have higher CPM rates.

What is the impact of watch time on YouTube earnings?

Longer watch times can lead to higher earnings, as they increase the likelihood of ads being displayed during your videos. Engaging content that keeps viewers watching contributes positively to your channel's revenue.

How can I increase my ad revenue on YouTube?

To boost ad revenue, focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that encourages longer watch times. Optimize your videos for searchability, maintain a consistent upload schedule, and engage with your audience to build loyalty.

How does YouTube handle demonetization issues?

YouTube may demonetize videos or channels that violate its policies. If you believe a demonetization decision is incorrect, you can request a review through YouTube Studio. 

Ensuring your content complies with guidelines helps prevent such issues.

How frequently should I post videos to maximize earnings?

Consistency is key. Establish a realistic upload schedule that maintains content quality. Regular uploads keep your audience engaged and can positively impact your channel's growth and earnings. Once I started working a 9-to-5 job, I stopped posting videos on my YouTube channel. My revenue and views stagnated. Don’t make the same mistake if you want to consistently earn more than $1000 per month!

How can I appeal a monetization decision by YouTube?

If your application to the YouTube Partner Program is denied or a video is demonetized, you can appeal the decision through YouTube Studio. Provide any additional information or context to support your appeal.

What analytics should I monitor to improve earnings?

Focus on metrics like watch time, audience retention, click-through rates, and demographic data. Understanding these insights helps tailor your content strategy to better meet your audience's preferences.

Can I monetize cover songs on YouTube?

Monetizing cover songs is possible if you have the necessary rights or permissions. Some music publishers allow monetization through YouTube's Content ID system, sharing revenue with the rights holders.

What are the risks of buying views or subscribers?

Purchasing views or subscribers violates YouTube's policies and can lead to penalties, including channel suspension. Such practices also result in low engagement rates, harming your channel's credibility and growth potential.

Can I monetize YouTube in every country?

No, YouTube's monetization features are available only in specific countries where the YouTube Partner Program is active. Before applying, ensure that your country is on the list of eligible regions.

‍

Conclusion

Monetizing on YouTube was tough at first. It felt like no one was watching, and growing my channel seemed impossible. Things changed when I focused on making content that mattered to my audience and stayed consistent.

Engaging with viewers—replying to comments and creating a sense of community—built loyalty. I also started earning in different ways, like selling merch, offering memberships, and working with sponsors, so I didn’t have to rely only on ads.

It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Staying patient and connected with my audience turned my passion into something sustainable.

Start working on monetizing your YouTube channel right now! If you ever feel stuck or unsure about creating content, remember, Zebracat can help you reach your income goals faster and easier.

‍

‍