With over 122 million active daily users and 1 billion hours of content watched every day, YouTube is a platform with immense brand-building potential. But with so much content available for viewing, the ability to cut through the noise can be challenging, particularly if you’re looking to monetize your work.
With the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), creators can monetize their presence on the platform. The good news? Even those with a small following can benefit thanks to new eligibility requirements.
So, if you’re looking to make money online, we break down everything you need to know about the YPP, the application process, and tips for success in joining. Let’s dive in!
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What is the YouTube Partner Program?
The YouTube Partner Program allows creators on the platform to monetize their content with advertisements and earn a profit.
At a fundamental level, the YPP is a revenue-sharing model that supports both parties – the creators and YouTube. By enabling advertisements on your YouTube videos that are then watched by viewers, you’ll receive a split of revenue, taking 55% while YouTube takes the other 45%. For YouTube Shorts, however, the revenue is split 45% to 55%, with the latter going to YouTube.
Though it might sound like a large chunk of revenue goes to YouTube, the YPP was established with creators in mind. With over 61 millon creators on YouTube, the YPP provides tools for monetization, as well as support teams to ensure they can increase both their number of subscribers and revenue.
Rather than just relying on video ads, you can also earn money off YouTube Premium subscription fees and valuable features that generate payments directly from your followers, such as channel memberships and Super Chat.
Why should you consider joining the YouTube Partner Program?
The YPP has a range of benefits, all of which ultimately help creators create high-quality content and build a community of fans. Still unsure why you should join the YPP? Consider the following.
- Earn money from your YouTube content: Given the time and resources that go into creating content, the YPP is the fastest way to monetize your YouTube videos. Thanks to targeted ads that are added to each video you upload, these won’t interfere with your content, but they will generate greater revenue with more views.
- Increased exposure: The YPP is committed to helping creators grow their audience. One way it does this is by showing Partner videos at the top of search results for increased visibility and exposure. Partner videos are also syndicated to YouTube partner sites, so you can reach audiences even outside of the YouTube platform itself.
- Protect your YouTube content from being stolen: Where regular creators on YouTube hand over the rights to the platform in terms of managing their videos as the site sees fit, creators of the YPP retain all copyright and distribution rights. You’ll have greater protection over your content and be able to monetize it in a secure environment.
- Gain assistance from the YouTube Creator Support Team: Perhaps the biggest benefit of becoming a YouTube Partner is gaining access to its developmental programs and Creator Support team. Along with analytical tools to review your revenue, you’ll also have access to a community of fellow Partners and programs aimed at improving your content, growing your fan base, and increasing your revenue across multiple streams.
How to join the YouTube Partner Program: eligibility requirements
Now that you know the benefits of the YPP, you’re probably feeling impatient to join. There are a few milestones you’ll need to hit first, however, as these form the benchmark for eligibility.
🔥 Hot tip: Before looking at the application process, it’s worthwhile reading through the YouTube Channel Monetization Policies as compliance is required before joining the YPP.
To be eligible for the YPP, you must first live in an approved country or region. You can’t have any active community guideline strikes on your channel which would have seen videos taken down by YouTube, and two-step verification of your Google account must be enabled for enhanced security. As well as this, you must have access to advanced features in the YouTube Studio, and have linked your AdSense account to your YouTube channel.
When it comes to earning money through the YPP, there is a set of criteria you must meet. If you want to make money through fan funding in the form of Super Chats, channel memberships, and more, the main requirement relates to the number of subscribers to your YouTube channel.
Previously, creators needed to reach 1,000, but as The Verge reports, YouTube has since lowered this to 500 subscribers. As well as this, you’ll need to meet the following criteria.
- Three public uploads in the last 90 days
- 3,000 public watch hours in the previous 12 months or 3 million public YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days
For those who are joining the YPP with the incentive to make money from video advertisements, you’ll need to have 1,000 subscribers and meet the following criteria for eligibility.
- 4,000 hours of public watch time within a 12-month period or 10 million public YouTube Shorts views within a 90-day period
The good news is that if you can only meet the eligibility requirements for fan funding, you won’t need to reapply after hitting 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. Instead, you’ll simply have access to the revenue tools that weren’t available to you before.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible for the YPP, you can review your status within your YouTube Studio by clicking the ‘earn’ tab. There, you’ll see the status indicator which details your number of subscribers and watch hours across long-form and Shorts videos.
Where to apply for the YouTube Partner Program
If you’ve hit all your eligibility requirements and consent to the policies outlined by YouTube, it’s time to apply for the YPP!
When you’re ready, head to your YouTube Studio and click the ‘Earn’ tab in the navigation menu. You’ll be taken to the YPP application page at which point you can then follow the steps outlined below after hitting the ‘Apply’ button.
1. Review Base Terms: You’ll be presented with the general terms and conditions of monetization on YouTube, including details regarding how your content can impact your payments. After reading, click the “accept terms” button
2. Set up your Google AdSense account: This will allow you to earn revenue by matching ads to your site or channel based on your content or followers.
3. Enable 2-step verification on your channel: This allows for greater security for your account.
4. Wait for YouTube to review your application and inform you of its decision: you’ll be notified by email once you’ve been approved.
Once you’ve applied, it typically takes YouTube one month to assess eligibility and accept you into the YPP. However, take that number with a grain of salt. Many creators have been approved in as little time as three days, but the takeaway here is not to stress if your application is taking a little longer to be reviewed.
YouTube Partner Program FAQs
What are the monetization tools provided by the YouTube Partner Program?
The YPP provides a detailed overview of your revenue analytics, where you can track views, engagement rates, and ad performance to help you assess the effectiveness of your content in the hope of making it advertiser-friendly. These monetization analytics are an invaluable tool for creators and help you to set your channel up for financial success.
As well as analytics, you’ll also have access to monetization tools like Shorts Feed Ads, Memberships, Super Chat, Shopping, Watch Page ads, and more.
Can you monetize old YouTube videos?
As long as you hold the rights to the videos, you can monetize old YouTube videos on the YPP, however, you’ll only receive revenue from the time you enable ads.
With the ability to earn money off your YouTube content immediately upon acceptance into the YPP, joining the program is significantly beneficial. As well as this, greater exposure will ensure your content is seen by wider audiences while the YouTube Creator Support Team and community of partners will see you learn more skills to improve your content and grow your fan base.
There’s no denying that the YPP is sure to boost the success of your channel, but if you’re struggling to hit the eligibility requirements of 1,000 subscribers or 4,000 watch hours, Plann can help. With features that include scheduling YouTube Shorts directly through Plann, you’ll be better able to show up consistently on YouTube and boost your engagement.
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