YouTube Monetization Requirements & How to Get Approved 2025

A lot of YouTubers face the same frustrating problem: creating content they’re passionate about but never seeing a paycheck for it. They put hours into scripting, filming, and editing, yet the income doesn’t follow. It feels discouraging to pour so much effort into videos that don’t generate the financial reward they deserve.

The key lies in knowing how to monetize your content the right way. There are proven strategies out there that can turn your hard work into real profit, and once you learn them, you can start making money while doing what you love.

What Is YouTube Monetization? 

YouTube monetization is the process that allows creators to earn money from their videos. When your channel meets certain requirements, like having 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. You can join the YouTube Partner Program. 

This enables ads to run on your videos, and you earn a share of the revenue when viewers watch those ads. Monetization also opens up other income opportunities, such as channel memberships, Super Chats, and selling merchandise directly through YouTube.

Why Is It Important For Creators? 

Getting monetized is important for creators because it opens up the potential to turn your YouTube channel into a money-making machine. Once you start earning, you can reinvest that money into scaling your channel or even starting multiple channels. With the extra cash, you can automate parts of the video-making process, like editing or content research, and free up your time to focus on the fun parts, like brainstorming new ideas or getting creative.

How To Enable Monetization on YouTube? 

To enable monetization, you first need to meet YouTube’s monetization requirements: at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million public Shorts views in 90 days. 

Once you hit these requirements, go to YouTube Studio, click on "Earn" in the sidebar, and follow the steps to apply for the YouTube Partner Program. You’ll need to agree to the terms, set up a Google AdSense account to receive payments, and wait for YouTube to review your channel. If approved, you can start earning money from ads and other features.

Key YouTube Monetization Requirements In 2025

Subscriber Count

You need at least 1,000 subscribers to start earning money on YouTube. These are the people who follow your channel and want to watch your videos regularly. Keep in mind growing subscribers takes time, but if you post interesting videos and interact with your audience, they’ll come naturally.

Watch Time Hours

Watch hours are the total amount of time people spend watching your videos. For example, if 100 people watch a 10-minute video all the way through, that’s about 17 hours.

For longer videos, hitting the watch time goal requires content that keeps people watching. Make sure your videos are interesting, well-edited, and have good audio. If viewers get bored or annoyed, they’ll leave, and your watch hours will suffer. Quality matters, so put effort into making videos that people genuinely want to stick around for.

YouTube Shorts Views

If you’re making YouTube Shorts, aim for 10 million views in 90 days to unlock full monetization features. For smaller milestones, like Super Thanks and viewer donations, 3 million Shorts views are enough. 

Shorts are quick and snappy, so focus heavily on the hook to grab attention immediately and make your videos interesting enough to rewatch.

Upload Frequency

Posting videos regularly is a big deal. It keeps your audience active and shows YouTube that your channel deserves getting more attention. You don’t have to post every day, but even a consistent weekly schedule can help grow your channel faster. The rule is to stay consistent and never disappear for too long.

Location And Policies

Not all countries can monetize on YouTube, so make sure your country is on the list. If it’s not, you won’t be able to earn money through ads.

Also make sure to play by the rules. Don’t post anything harmful, fake, or against YouTube’s guidelines, or they might demonetize your channel. or worse, ban it. Keep your content clean and safe for everyone.

Adsense Account And Two Factor Authentication (2FA)

AdSense is where YouTube sends your payments, so you need to set that up once you’re eligible for monetization. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is just a way to protect your account from hackers. It’s super easy to set up and keeps your hard work safe.

Different YouTube Monetization Tiers

With just 500 subscribers, you won’t qualify for full monetization, but YouTube may eventually roll out limited features for smaller channels. Until then, focus on growth.

But Once you hit 1,000 subscribers and the watch time requirement, you unlock full monetization. This means you can earn from ads, memberships, Super Chats, and more.

Tools And Resources To Help You Monetize Faster

One of the best tools for growing your channel quickly is Nexlev. With the Nexlev extension, you can easily find high-performing channels and videos to learn what’s working in your niche. It takes the guesswork out of figuring out what content is trending or worth replicating.

Nexlev’s niche finder is another perfect tool. It helps you discover niches with low competition and high demand. Basically, the hot topics that give you the best chance to go viral and hit monetization requirements faster.

How To Generate 4,000 Hours of Watch Time

Getting 4,000 hours of watch time might sound overwhelming, but it’s all about strategy. Focus on making longer videos (10+ minutes) that people enjoy and stick around for. Create binge-worthy playlists so viewers watch multiple videos in a row. Keep your content interesting, relatable, and valuable to your audience.

If you’re into YouTube Automation, this process can get even smoother. Automation lets you outsource video production, like scripts, voiceovers, and editing, so you can focus on content ideas and growing your channel. Just make sure the videos are interesting enough to keep viewers watching.

When Will YouTube Approve My YPP Application?

Once you hit the YouTube Monetization requirements, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program. After submitting your application, YouTube usually takes about 30 days to review it. They’ll check your content to make sure it follows their guidelines, so keep your channel clean and compliant to avoid delays.

How To Stay on The Right Side of The YouTube Partner Program

To stay in the YPP, you need to follow YouTube’s rules. Avoid posting anything harmful, misleading, or against their community guidelines. Keep your content original. Don't rely too much on reused footage or copyrighted material. That’s how you build trust with YouTube so your channel can grow without interruptions.

Steps To Start A New YouTube Channel

Choose Your Niche

Picking the right niche is very important for building a successful YouTube channel. Focus on something you’re interested in and that has a big, active audience. Popular niches like true crime, funny compilations, or influencer drama work well because they attract repeat viewers. Look for an angle that sets your channel apart and make sure the niche has good monetization potential. 

Do Your Research

Look at what other creators in your niche are doing. Check what works, what doesn’t, and where you can bring something new to the table. Tools like Nexlev can help you explore successful channels so you can easily study them and look at what they’re doing right. 

Determine Your Video Type

Decide if you want to do talking-head videos, animated videos, or faceless videos. The style should match your niche and be something you’re comfortable with. And the easier option here is faceless videos as it doesn’t require you to have a camera to record, or to be good at animating videos. 

Assess Other Monetization Potential

Think beyond just ad revenue. Can you add affiliate links, sell products, or create memberships? A niche with extra income potential is always a win.

Plan Your Content Strategy

Decide how often you’ll post and what your videos will focus on. Create a list of video ideas in advance so you’re never stuck wondering what to make. Consistency is key to growth.

Gather The Necessary Equipment

You don’t need the most expensive gear to start, but you’ll need at least a decent camera (if you’re making talking-head videos), a mic for clear audio, and basic editing software. Good lighting can also make a huge difference in how professional your videos look.

What Kind of Videos Or Topics Can’t Be Monetized on YouTube?

YouTube has strict rules about what can and can’t be monetized. Videos that promote violence, hate speech, or anything that’s harmful or offensive are a no-go. 

Be careful with content that includes illegal activities or misleading claims. Anything that violates YouTube’s community guidelines can result in demonetization or even channel termination, so always make sure your videos follow the rules.

Stay Active on YouTube To Keep Making Money

To keep making money on YouTube, you’ve got to stay active and consistent. If you take long breaks without uploading, it can hurt your watch time, and YouTube may stop recommending your videos to new viewers. 

Regular uploads help keep your channel in the algorithm, which leads to more views and, of course, more opportunities to make money. Keep interacting with your audience, post frequently, and be consistent with your content to keep the momentum going.

YouTube Channel Monetization Policies

YouTube has clear policies for monetization. First, your channel must meet the minimum monetization requirements: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. You must also follow YouTube’s community guidelines and ensure your content is advertiser-friendly. 

But even after monetization, keep in mind that YouTube may demonetize your videos if they no longer follow the rules, so it’s important to keep your content clean and compliant.

Applying To The YPP ( YouTube Partner Program )

When applying to the YouTube Partner Program, the key is following YouTube’s policies to the letter. Your channel has to comply with all community guidelines, copyright rules, and advertiser-friendly content policies. This means no reused content without transformative value, no spammy or misleading videos, and nothing that violates YouTube’s terms. 

YouTube also looks at your overall channel activity. so even if just one video breaks the rules, it can impact your application. Before applying, go through your content and make sure everything aligns with YouTube’s standards. It's always better to delete questionable content than risk rejection.

Avoiding Copyright And Monetization Mistakes on YouTube

Copyright is one of the biggest reasons creators get demonetized or face strikes. Make sure all the content in your videos, from music to footage, is either original or properly licensed. Avoid using copyrighted material without permission. 

Another common mistake is violating YouTube's advertiser-friendly guidelines. your videos should avoid excessive violence, hate speech, or adult content if you want to stay monetized. Always double-check your content before posting to make sure it’s compliant with YouTube’s rules.

Top 7 Ways To Monetize on YouTube

YouTube Ads

YouTube ads are the most common way creators make money, and they’re pretty straightforward. Once your channel is monetized, YouTube places ads on your videos, and you earn a cut of the revenue. 

How much you earn depends on your niche, the number of views, and your CPM. While ads are a great starting point, they’re not always reliable since your income depends on how advertisers spend. 

Affiliates

Affiliate marketing is a smart way to monetize your YouTube channel without relying solely on ads. It works like this: you recommend a product or service, share a special link in your video description, and earn a commission when someone makes a purchase using your link. 

This method works best if you promote products that align with your niche and audience’s interests. For example, if you have a tech channel, you could share affiliate links for cameras or software you actually use. The secret is to be authentic and only promote things you believe in, as viewers can tell when something feels forced or fake.

YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is a great passive income stream for creators. When a Premium user watches your videos, you get a share of their subscription fee. The best part? You don’t have to do anything extra. YouTube handles it all for you. To make the most of Premium, focus on creating binge-worthy content that keeps viewers coming back for more. Since Premium viewers don’t see ads, your income here depends on how much they watch your videos. It’s a small but steady way to add to your overall revenue.

Channel Membership

Channel memberships let your fans support you directly in exchange for exclusive perks. Think of it like a subscription service on your YouTube channel. Viewers pay a monthly fee to access things like behind-the-scenes content, custom badges, live Q&A sessions, or shoutouts. 

To make memberships work, you need to offer something valuable and unique that gives a reason to your fans to pay. The more value you offer, the more likely viewers are to stick around and support you.

Paid Sponsorships

Paid sponsorships are one of the most lucrative ways to monetize your YouTube channel. Brands pay you to promote their products or services in your videos. This can be a shoutout, a detailed review, or just using the product naturally in your content. 

The golden key to landing sponsorships is building a loyal audience in a specific niche. Brands love creators who connect deeply with their viewers. Sponsorships can sometimes pay way more than ads, especially if you work with high-quality brands.

Super Features ( Super Chat, Super Stickers, And Super Thanks)

YouTube’s super features are a fun way for your fans to support you directly during livestreams or through regular videos. Super Chat and Super Stickers let viewers send you money during live streams while also getting their messages or stickers highlighted in the chat. it’s like getting tips for your content. 

Super Thanks works similarly but is available for regular videos, allowing viewers to thank you with a donation. These features not only generate extra income but also build stronger connections with your audience. The more interactive and entertaining your streams or videos are, the more likely fans are to use these features.

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts offers a fast-growing opportunity to monetize quick, fun videos. With its massive reach, Shorts can help you hit monetization thresholds faster, especially if you’re aiming for the 10 million views in 90 days requirement. Once you qualify, you can earn through ads, and features like Super Thanks become available. 

To make the most out of it, focus on spending most of your energy creating hooks, highly shareable content, and visuals that grab attention instantly. Shorts are a great way to build your channel’s visibility and boost overall monetization potential.

What To Do if The YouTube Partner Program Rejects You?

If your YouTube Partner Program (YPP) application gets rejected, don’t panic, you can always reapply. First, check the email or notification from YouTube to find out why you were denied. Common reasons include not meeting the watch time or subscriber requirements, copyright issues, or violating community guidelines. 

Take this feedback seriously and fix the issues. For example, if it’s a copyright problem, remove or edit flagged content. If it's about watch hours, focus on creating longer videos. Once you've addressed the problems, you can reapply after 30 days. Make sure your channel is fully compliant before submitting again to improve your chances of approval.

Conclusion 

YouTube is a simple but not easy business model. To make it work, it’s all about strategy, picking the right niches, and creating content that people actually want to watch. Once you get that part down, hitting YouTube monetization requirements becomes more of a waiting game. Stay consistent, focus on quality, and keep improving your content. 

Monetization isn’t some magic trick. it’s the result of doing the basics right and sticking with it. Even if things don’t go as planned, like getting rejected from the YouTube Partner Program, don’t sweat it. Fix what’s wrong, keep grinding, and reapply. With time and effort, YouTube can become a legit way to turn your creativity into a solid income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a way i can get past 1000 subscribers requirement?

Yes.  focus on making good quality videos that attract more viewers in the long run. Some people buy pre-monetized channels that already meet the requirements, but this can be risky and goes against YouTube’s policies if not done carefully.

I keep getting my YPP rejected. How many times can I apply? 

You can apply to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) every 30 days after being rejected. Before reapplying, check why you were rejected like reused content or community guideline violations, and fix those issues to increase your chances of approval.

So how do I know my channel is monetized? 

When your channel is monetized, you’ll see a green dollar sign next to your videos in YouTube Studio. This means ads are running on those videos, and you can start earning money. If you don’t see this, your channel isn’t monetized yet.

I have a monetized icon on my videos but it’s a yellow dollar sign, not a green one. What does that mean? 

The yellow dollar sign means your video has limited or no ads because YouTube flagged it as not fully advertiser-friendly. This could be due to the content being too sensitive or controversial. 

Can I monetize YouTube with 500 subscribers? 

No, you need at least 1,000 subscribers AND 4,000 public watch hours within the past 12 months to qualify for YouTube monetization. However, you can unlock features like super chats, and viewer donations. 

What is 4000 watch hours in views?

if one video is 10 minutes long, you’d need 24,000 views where people watch the full video to reach this requirement.

What does 3000 watch hours mean?

You can unlock channel memberships, and super thanks with only 3000 watch time hours, and 500 subscribers.

How many subscribers do I need to monetize on YouTube? 

You need a minimum of 1,000 subscribers to apply for monetization. This is one of the basic requirements, along with 4,000 public watch hours or 10 million Shorts views.

Can I Monetize with 500 subscribers? 

No, YouTube requires at least 1,000 subscribers for monetization. But you can unlock basic features like receiving super thanks, and donations from your viewers. 

What happens if I don't upload videos for 6 months?

If you stop uploading for 6 months, your channel won’t get demonetized, but your growth will likely slow down or stop. Your audience may lose interest, and YouTube’s algorithm might not recommend your videos as often.