The #1 Question About YouTube Monetization (And What You Really Need to Know)

[Bastiaan]

If you hang around YTtalk or any creator community long enough, you’ll notice one question comes up more than any other:​

“How do I start making money on YouTube?”

It’s the #1 question because monetization feels like the turning point where your channel shifts from hobby to business. But the answer isn’t just about hitting 1,000 subs anymore, YouTube has introduced new milestones that open doors earlier.

Step 1: Monetization Perks at 500 Subscribers​

You don’t have to wait until 1,000 subs to start earning. At 500 subscribers, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) with these requirements:

• 500 subscribers
• 3 public uploads in the last 90 days
• Either:
  • 3,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months, or
  • 3 million Shorts views in the past 90 days
• Adherence to monetization policies → meaning you must follow YouTube’s rules, such as community guidelines, copyright laws, and advertiser‑friendly content standards.

Features unlocked at 500 subs:​

• Fan funding tools (Super Thanks, Super Chat, Super Stickers)
• Channel memberships (monthly subscriptions from fans)
• Shopping features (if eligible)

This means smaller creators can start earning directly from their audience much earlier.

Step 2: Full Ad Monetization at 1,000 Subscribers​

To unlock ad revenue sharing, you still need:

• 1,000 subscribers
• 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days
• Adherence to monetization policies → again, this means respecting YouTube’s monetization rules so your content is eligible for ads.

Step 3: Understand How YouTube Pays​

• AdSense account required → This is how YouTube pays you.
• Payment threshold → You need to earn at least $100 before you get paid.
• Revenue split → Creators typically earn 55% of ad revenue from long-form content, while YouTube keeps 45%.
• Shorts split → Creators earn 45%, YouTube keeps 55% (due to music licensing costs).

Step 4: Know What Affects Your Earnings​

• Niche matters → Finance, tech, and business channels often earn higher CPMs than vlogs or gaming.
• Audience location → Ads shown to viewers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia usually pay more.
• Content type → Long-form videos with mid-roll ads can earn more than Shorts.

Common Misconceptions​

• “I’ll get rich once I’m monetized.” → Reality: most small channels earn only a few dollars at first.
• “Watch time doesn’t matter after monetization.” → Wrong. More watch time = more ads served = more revenue.
• “Any video can be monetized.” → Not true. Copyrighted or non-advertiser-friendly content may be demonetized.

Pro Tips for New Creators​

• Upload consistently — growth comes from momentum.
• Build a loyal audience — subscribers who watch regularly drive watch time.
• Diversify income — sponsorships, affiliate links, merch, memberships.

Final Thought​

Monetization isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting line. At 500 subs, you can begin earning through fan support, and at 1,000 subs, you unlock full ad revenue. Treat your channel like a business and YouTube can become a serious income stream.

* For those already monetized: what was the biggest surprise about your earnings compared to your expectations?​