If you are wondering how to make money on YouTube, you have several opportunities beyond simply earning money from advertisements. YouTube has become a major platform for creators, businesses, educators, gamers, influencers and entrepreneurs who want to build an audience and generate income from video content.
You can make money on YouTube through advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, channel memberships, Super Thanks, Super Chat, YouTube Shopping, YouTube Premium revenue and your own products or services.
However, making money on YouTube requires more than simply uploading videos. You need to create useful or entertaining content, build an audience, follow YouTube’s monetization policies and choose the right monetization methods for your channel.
In this guide, we explain how to make money on YouTube in 2026, how YouTube monetization works, how to join the YouTube Partner Program and the best ways to turn a YouTube channel into an income source.
Table of Contents
1. Make Money from YouTube Ads
One of the most popular answers to the question of how to make money on YouTube is through advertising.
Eligible creators can earn a share of advertising revenue when advertisements are displayed on their monetized content. YouTube says creators in the YouTube Partner Program can earn from Watch Page Ads and Shorts Feed Ads when they meet the relevant requirements.
Advertisements can appear before, during or after eligible videos, depending on the content and advertising settings.
However, there is no fixed amount that YouTube pays for every 1,000 views. Earnings can vary depending on factors such as audience location, content category, advertiser demand, viewer behavior and monetized views.
How to earn YouTube ad revenue
- Create a YouTube channel.
- Upload original and useful videos consistently.
- Build subscribers and watch time or Shorts views.
- Follow YouTube’s channel monetization policies.
- Become eligible for the YouTube Partner Program.
- Apply through YouTube Studio.
- Set up or link your AdSense for YouTube account.
- Accept the appropriate monetization modules.
- Turn on monetization for eligible content.
YouTube states that reaching the required numbers does not automatically guarantee acceptance. The channel is reviewed for compliance with YouTube’s policies.
2. Join the YouTube Partner Program
The YouTube Partner Program, commonly called YPP, is the main program for creators who want access to YouTube’s monetization features.
For the higher YPP threshold that provides access to advertising revenue and YouTube Premium revenue, YouTube currently lists either:
- 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours from long-form videos during the previous 12 months, or
- 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public Shorts views during the previous 90 days.
Watch hours generated from Shorts views in the Shorts Feed do not count toward the 4,000 public watch-hour requirement.
YouTube also has an expanded YPP entry level in eligible countries and regions. Creators can apply at 500 subscribers with three valid public uploads in the previous 90 days and either 3,000 valid public watch hours in the previous 12 months or 3 million valid public Shorts views in the previous 90 days. This lower level provides access to selected fan-funding and Shopping features rather than the full advertising threshold.
You can check your eligibility from the Earn section of YouTube Studio.
Check YouTube Partner Program requirements
3. Make Money with Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is another effective way to make money on YouTube.
With affiliate marketing, you recommend a product or service and provide a qualifying affiliate link. If a viewer purchases through your link, you may receive a commission according to the affiliate program’s terms.
For example, a technology channel could create videos about:
- Best Android apps
- Best microphones for YouTube
- Best headphones
- Best screen recording apps
- Best laptops for bloggers
- Best video editing software
- Best SEO tools
- Best blogging tools
- Best WordPress hosting
A YouTube creator can explain the product in a video and place relevant affiliate links in the description.
This method can be especially useful for channels that create product reviews, tutorials, comparisons and buying guides.
For example:
Video: 5 Best Android Screen Recording Apps Without Watermark
Website article: 5 Best Android Screen Recording Apps Without Watermark
Monetization: Affiliate links + website advertising
This allows one topic to generate traffic from both YouTube and Google search.
4. Earn Money Through YouTube Sponsorships
Sponsorships can become an important income source when your channel develops a relevant and engaged audience.
A company may pay you to mention its product, demonstrate its service or create a sponsored video.
You do not necessarily need millions of subscribers to attract sponsorships. A smaller channel with a specific audience can be attractive to companies because the viewers may be highly relevant to their products.
For example, a YouTube channel about making money online could potentially work with businesses offering:
- Blogging tools
- SEO software
- Website hosting
- AI tools
- WordPress products
- Online courses
- Creator tools
- Website builders
YouTube also provides Creator Partnerships features in eligible markets to help brands and creators connect.
When publishing sponsored content, follow YouTube’s policies and applicable advertising disclosure requirements.
5. Make Money Through Channel Memberships
Channel memberships allow eligible creators to offer viewers special benefits in exchange for recurring monthly payments.
Depending on the channel, membership benefits can include:
- Members-only videos
- Members-only live streams
- Custom badges
- Custom emojis
- Early access to videos
- Exclusive posts
- Special tutorials
Channel memberships are particularly useful when you have an audience that regularly watches your content and wants additional benefits.
YouTube lists channel memberships among the monetization features available to eligible YPP creators.
For example, a blogging channel could offer members exclusive WordPress tutorials, SEO sessions or monthly Q&A sessions.
6. Use Super Thanks
Super Thanks provides another way for viewers to support eligible creators.
A viewer can purchase a Super Thanks on an eligible video or Short to show appreciation for the creator’s content.
This can be useful for educational and tutorial channels because viewers may want to support creators who provide useful information.
For example, if you publish a detailed tutorial about how to create a YouTube channel, a viewer who finds the tutorial helpful can use Super Thanks if the feature is available to your channel.
Super Thanks should be viewed as an additional income source rather than the primary monetization method for most new channels.
7. Earn Through Super Chat and Super Stickers
If you conduct YouTube live streams, you may be able to earn through Super Chat and Super Stickers.
These features allow eligible viewers to pay to highlight messages or use special stickers during live chats.
Live streaming can be particularly useful for channels where viewers have questions or want direct interaction.
For example, you could conduct live streams about:
- YouTube tips
- Blogging
- WordPress
- SEO
- Affiliate marketing
- Online earning
- Android apps
- Website development
- Content creation
YouTube lists Super Chat and Super Stickers among its monetization features for eligible creators.
8. Make Money Through YouTube Shopping
YouTube Shopping provides eligible creators with another way to connect viewers with products.
Depending on the creator’s eligibility and available features, YouTube Shopping can be used to promote a creator’s own products and, at higher YPP eligibility levels, products from other brands.
This can be particularly useful for product-focused channels.
For example, a technology channel could create:
10 Best Accessories for YouTubers
A creator could then showcase relevant products through available YouTube Shopping features.
Other suitable niches include:
- Technology
- Beauty
- Fashion
- Cooking
- Fitness
- Home improvement
- Gadgets
- Gaming
9. Earn from YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium can provide another source of revenue for eligible creators.
When YouTube Premium subscribers watch eligible content, creators can receive a share of subscription revenue. YouTube includes YouTube Premium among the monetization features available at the higher YPP eligibility level.
This means that YouTube income is not limited to advertisements.
Creating videos that people regularly watch can help you build a larger and more loyal audience.
10. Sell Your Own Products or Services
Another way to make money on YouTube is by selling your own products or services.
Instead of depending completely on advertising or affiliate commissions, you can use your YouTube audience to promote something that you own.
Examples include:
- E-books
- Online courses
- Digital guides
- Templates
- Educational resources
- Blogging courses
- SEO guides
- YouTube tutorials
- Consulting services
- Digital downloads
For example, a channel about blogging could publish free tutorials on YouTube and offer a more comprehensive paid blogging course.
YouTube Shopping also supports eligible creators who want to promote their own products.
How to Make Money on YouTube Without Ads
You do not have to rely exclusively on YouTube ads.
Affiliate marketing, sponsorships, products and services can potentially generate income independently of advertising revenue.
For example, a new channel could create a video called:
10 Best Tools for YouTubers
The creator could include relevant affiliate links in the description.
Similarly, a website owner could publish a related article and send YouTube viewers to the website.
This creates a model like: YouTube video → Website → Affiliate links → Potential commission
This can be particularly useful for websites that publish articles about online earning, blogging, social media, YouTube and affiliate marketing.
How to Make Money from YouTube and a Website Together
Combining YouTube with a website can create additional opportunities.
Suppose you publish a YouTube video titled:
200+ Ways to Make Money Online
Instead of explaining every method in a short video, you can explain the most useful methods and direct viewers to a detailed article on your website.
The website can then provide:
- Detailed information
- Related articles
- Affiliate links
- Display advertising
- Additional resources
For a website such as EarnHints, this can be a useful strategy because the YouTube channel and website can support each other.
YouTube can bring visitors to the website, while the website can provide additional information and monetization opportunities.
How to Increase YouTube Earnings
Knowing how to make money on YouTube is only the first step. Building an audience is essential.
Choose a specific niche.
A clear niche makes it easier to build an audience.
Some possible niches include:
- Make Money Online
- YouTube Tips
- Blogging
- Affiliate Marketing
- Social Media
- Android Apps
- Technology
- WordPress
- SEO
- Online Jobs
Create useful content
Your videos should solve a problem or answer a question.
For example:
How to Create a YouTube Channel
How to Make Money on YouTube
How to Add a YouTube Thumbnail
How to Record Your Android Screen
These topics can attract viewers who are actively searching for information.
Use strong titles
Your title should clearly explain what the viewer will learn.
Instead of: My New Video
use: How to Make Money on YouTube in 2026: 10 Best Ways
The second title immediately communicates the topic.
Create attractive thumbnails
Your thumbnail should be simple, readable and relevant to the video.
Avoid making misleading claims simply to get clicks. The goal should be to attract the right viewers and then deliver what the title and thumbnail promise.
Publish consistently
Consistency can help you build an audience over time.
You do not necessarily need to publish every day. A realistic schedule that you can maintain is usually better than uploading many videos for a short period and then stopping.
How Much Money Can You Make on YouTube?
There is no guaranteed amount of money for a specific number of YouTube views.
YouTube states that there are no guarantees under the Partner Program about how much, or whether, a creator will be paid. Earnings are based on a share of advertising revenue and other applicable monetization sources.
Your YouTube earnings can depend on:
- Number of views
- Audience location
- Content category
- Advertising demand
- Viewer engagement
- Monetized views
- Video length
- YouTube Premium viewers
- Affiliate sales
- Sponsorships
- Products and services
Therefore, two channels with the same number of views can potentially earn very different amounts.
Important YouTube Monetization Rules
If you want to make money on YouTube, you should create original content and follow YouTube’s monetization policies.
YouTube reviews channels before accepting them into the Partner Program and can continue reviewing channels after they are accepted.
You should also have the necessary rights to use the video, music, images and other content included in videos that you monetize.
Avoid simply downloading videos from other YouTube channels and uploading them to your own channel. Repetitive or reused content with insufficient original value can create monetization problems.
Instead, focus on:
- Your own narration
- Original tutorials
- Screen recordings
- Demonstrations
- Commentary
- Original research
- Educational explanations
- Your own experiences
If you are searching for how to make money on YouTube, there is no single method that works for every creator. YouTube advertising is one important income source, but successful channels can combine several monetization methods.
You can make money on YouTube through ads, YouTube Premium, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, channel memberships, Super Thanks, Super Chat, YouTube Shopping and your own products or services.
For someone building a website alongside a YouTube channel, combining YouTube and website traffic can be particularly powerful. A video can attract viewers, while a related website article can provide additional information and monetization opportunities.
The most important step is to build an audience by consistently publishing useful, original content. Once you have an audience that trusts your content, you can gradually introduce the monetization methods that best fit your niche.