Ultra.
If you’re an aspiring YouTuber or a creator slowly climbing the ranks on the platform, you’ve probably wondered how you can generate income from your content. The quick answer is the YouTube Partner Program, a program designed to help YouTubers monetize their content through various streams of revenue opportunities.
Keep reading to learn more about the YouTube Partner Program and how to join yourself.
Jump Ahead:
- What Is the YouTube Partner Program?
- How Can Creators Earn Money Through the YouTube Partner Program?
- Eligibility Requirements to Become a YouTube Partner
What Is the YouTube Partner Program?
The YouTube Partner Program (YPP for short) is a free to join program that eligible creators can apply to to unlock different revenue opportunities ranging from ad revenue to channel memberships.
YouTube, which paid out more than $70 Billion to creators between 2021 and 2023, created the program to help creators turn their passions into income, allowing them to continue doing what they love while providing their audiences with the content they desire.
How Can Creators Earn Money Through the YouTube Partner Program?
Creators can earn money through:
- Ad Revenue: Earn more money from revenue generated from ads placed on your content.
- YouTube Premium: Earn part of the subscriber’s YouTube Premium subscription fee when they watch your content.
- Super Chat & Super Stickers: Your biggest fans pay for highlight messages or animated images to be highlighted in live stream chat. Learn more about live streaming on YouTube in this guide.
- YouTube Shopping: Viewers can purchase products from your store or any items you tag through the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program.
- Channel Memberships: Allows your most loyal subscribers to join a monthly subscription in exchange for exclusive perks.
- YouTube Brand Connect: Connects YouTubers with brands for sponsored content opportunities.
- Super Thanks: Viewers can purchase a unique "clapping" animation exclusive to them and receive a colorful, standout comment in the video’s comment section.
Eligibility Requirements to Become a YouTube Partner
YouTube breaks down the path to becoming a Partner into three different cohorts.
On the Way to Partner
Consider this the start of the YPP journey.
- Less than 500 subscribers
- Building consistency to gain loyal subs and watch hours
Apply to Become a YouTube Partner
Here, creators become eligible to apply for the Partner Program.
- 500-999 subscribers
- 3 valid uploads
- 3000 valid public watch hours within the last 12 months or…
- 3 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days
Ad Revenue Unlocked
At this level, partners become eligible for ad revenue generated from ads shown on their content.
- 1000 subscribers
- 4000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or…
- 10 million valid public Short views in the last 90 days
How Do I Know When My YouTube Channel Is Eligible for YPP?
To track your progress, log into YouTube Studio and navigate to the Earn tab. Here, you can find important information regarding monetizing your YouTube channel, including your progress in being eligible for the YouTube Partner Program.
While the road to joining the YouTube Partner Program and monetizing your YouTube journey may seem like a long one, with the right approach and consistency, you'll be there in no time. If you need help getting started with setting up your YouTube Channel or bringing it to new heights, check out our YouTuber University.
