How To Make Money on YouTube in 2026

YouTube can be a lucrative sales channel. The platform pays creators through ads, fan funding, and channel memberships once they join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which requires a minimum of 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours in the past 12 months or three million Shorts views in 90 days. Beyond the YPP, store owners and creators can earn through brand sponsorships, affiliate commissions, product sales, and content licensing, all without hitting a subscriber threshold.

Consider the career of Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast. What started as a hobby playing video games has become one of the most-subscribed-to YouTube channels in the world, with a business empire that encompasses YouTube, Feastables, MrBeast Lab, and other ventures. Forbes estimates his 2025 earnings at $85 million. 

YouTube ad revenue reached $9.88 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a year-over-year increase of 11%, according to Alphabet’s Q1 2026 earnings release. That advertising spend flows back to creators eligible for monetization. This guide covers how to qualify, what each revenue stream pays, and how store owners can earn through YouTube without producing videos.

How to make money on YouTube

Eight methods let creators and store owners earn on YouTube. Here’s a quick comparison, followed by a detailed breakdown of each:

1. Join the YouTube Partner Program

The YouTube Partner Program gives creators access to ad revenue sharing, fan funding, channel memberships, and YouTube Shopping. YouTube reports paying $100 billion to program members between 2021 and 2024.

Creators who join the YouTube Partner Program can get:

• Revenue sharing from watch page ads and Shorts feed ads
• Funds from Super Chat, Super Thanks, and channel memberships
• YouTube Shopping to offer products to their audience
• Access to YouTube’s creator support and Copyright Match Tool, which helps protect original content

Joining the YPP is the gateway to several YouTube monetization tools. That said, affiliate marketing, brand sponsorships, and product sales don’t require YPP membership, so you can start earning while building toward the threshold.

Staying in the program also depends on ongoing compliance. YouTube’s monetization policies govern what content you can monetize. If you violate these rules, YouTube can suspend your account or remove access to allmonetization features, not just ad revenue. 

Eligibility requirements to join the Partner Program in 2026

The YPP has two tiers. The lower tier unlocks fan funding features and YouTube Shopping; the higher tier adds ad revenue.

Both tiers require an active Google AdSense account linked to your channel, residency in an eligible region, and a channel in good standing under YouTube’s monetization policies. To apply, open YouTube Studio, go to the Earn tab, and follow the steps.

2. Monetize YouTube Shorts

YouTube launched its own short-form video format, known as Shorts, to compete with TikTok and Instagram Reels. Despite having a maximum length of three minutes, YouTube Shorts have incredible earning potential for creators. 

YouTube Shorts averaged 200 billion daily views as of June 2025. On top of this, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai told investors in October 2025 that Shorts now generate more revenue per watch hour than traditional in-stream video in the US, according to Variety. 

How YouTube Shorts monetization works

The ad revenue sharing model for YouTube Shorts is more complex than traditional videos. How much you earn depends on the music you’ve used in the clip and the portion of views you accumulated compared to other creators in your region. 

Here’s a closer look at how the YouTube Shorts monetization model works:

• YouTube collates revenue from ads placed between videos in the Shorts feed. 
• Ad revenue is split into two buckets: the Creator Pool (where revenue is assigned to creators based on engaged views) and the music fund (if a track is used, this covers the cost of licensing). If no music is used in a Short, the associated revenue goes to the Creator Pool, otherwise it’s split evenly between creators and music partner(s). If, for example, two tracks are used, two-thirds of the associated revenue go toward licensing. 
• Creators earn their share of eligible revenue based on how many Shorts views they contributed in their region. For example, if a creator earned 2% of all eligible engaged Shorts views among monetized creators in their country, they’d receive 2% of the revenue in that region’s Creator Pool.
• YouTube applies its revenue share split and pays out 45% of eligible earnings to creators.

3. Turn on ads for your videos

You can start earning money through ads once you’re accepted into the YouTube Partner Program and meet the requirements for ad revenue.

When you make a long-form video and turn on ads, YouTube will show your viewers a combination of pre- and post-roll ads that may or may not be skippable. For videos eight minutes or longer, you can choose whether to place ads in the middle. You can either add mid-roll ads automatically or place them manually. 

There’s no need to enable ads for YouTube Shorts, since they don’t include pre-, mid-, or post-roll ads. 

Select the Revenue tab when viewing your YouTube analytics to see ad earnings reports, including your monthly estimated revenue for videos with monetization turned on.

Consider looking beyond ads for revenue

YouTube flags content it deems advertiser-unfriendly, which can reduce earnings on individual videos. Creators must follow the platform’s channel monetization policies.

Relying solely on ads can lead to inconsistent income if your content is flagged or you’re removed from the program. Spread out the risk by selling products, sponsorships, affiliates, and passive income from owned-audience channels. 

YouTube ad revenue in 2026

Two metrics matter for ad earnings. CPM (cost per mille) is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions, which is any time an ad is displayed. RPM (revenue per mille) is what creators earn per 1,000 total views, and is based on a combination of things like ads, channel memberships, and YouTube Premium revenue.

YouTube takes a 45% cut of ad revenue from long-form videos and 55% from Shorts. But keep in mind RPM represents all views—including nonmonetized ones—which makes it difficult to estimate earnings based on CPM, and may end up being lower than you think. 

4. Let your audience support you with fan funding

For creators who are part of the Partner Program, YouTube’s fan funding features provide ways for viewers to directly support your channel with tips and monthly payments.

Super Chats and Super Stickers are colorful messages and alerts your viewers can buy to support your channel during livestreams and video premieres. Viewers of long-form videos and Shorts can also support creators with a Super Thanks. When purchased, these tip-jar features highlight comments made by fans.

Similarly, YouTube channel memberships can give fans access to exclusive benefits created by you. You can create up to five member levels with increasing benefits, such as:

• Channel badges and custom emojis, letting members stand out in live chats and comments
• Access to community posts, Shorts, and videos only members can see
• Exclusive first-viewing rights of your videos
• Members-only live chat and livestreams
• A member recognition shelf featuring member avatars at the top of your channel page

Use fan funding as a supplement to other revenue streams as donations and memberships fluctuate with how often you post and how generous your audience is feeling. 

Other ways to fan-fund

You can also source donations for your channel outside the YouTube ecosystem via platforms including:

• Patreon, a well-known fan-funding platform where creators offer exclusive content, access, and perks in return for regular donations
• Buy Me a Coffee, which allows creators and artists to accept donations

5. Sell products and merch

YouTube offers more advanced tools to help creatives make money online, including YouTube Shopping. This feature lets fans shop directly from your YouTube content. 

You can use YouTube Shopping to:

• Open a storefront on your channel
• Connect your online store to your channel to display your products in videos
• Tag your products or products from other brands in videos

According to a 2025 Shopify survey, 36% of store owners said finding customers was tied for their top challenge, so establishing a YouTube audience while selling products can expand your reach. 

Cassey Ho, Pilates instructor and founder of the Blogilates YouTube channel, launched a clothing line after fans said they wanted to represent the creator.

“Fans were like, ‘Well, can we have a Blogilates shirt?’ And I was, like, ‘Why in the world would you want to wear my screen name?’” says Cassey in a Shopify Masters interview. “But that was also the moment I realized, ‘Oh my God, maybe Blogilates is not just a screen name.’” 

Use print-on-demand services to design affordable products that are produced and shipped on a per-order basis.

“I kind of looked at the landscape and I was, like, you know, why would I just accept a deal from a brand that I like working with? What do they really want?’ They want access to my audience, and I have that,” says Kevin Esposito, founder and CEO of Epic Gardening, in a Shopify Masters interview. “It’s my audience, it’s the one that I built. So why wouldn’t I try at least to offer something directly to the audience?” 

Drew Scott, founder of Lone Fox, founded his product line based on his own content. “I started selling the supplies I was using in my videos and it just kind of really blew up and started taking off,” he says on Shopify Masters. 

Products don’t need to be merchandise. Creators sell physical goods, digital downloads, online courses, and photography through their channels. The channel and product should share an audience: a cooking creator selling specialty ingredients, a fitness creator selling workout programs, or an art creator selling original pieces.

How to set up YouTube Shopping

YouTube Shopping lets creators display and sell products directly from their channel. To get set up, you must meet the eligibility requirements and tag products in your content following the platform’s guidelines.

Shopify store owners can connect their Shopify store to YouTube through the Google & YouTube app. Eligible US store owners may be able to let shoppers check out directly in the YouTube app, otherwise shoppers will be redirected to the store’s website.

Product tags appear as clickable overlays in YouTube content. You can also pin products to the feed during livestreams. Both formats let viewers browse and learn more about your products without leaving YouTube. 

Connecting a store also adds a “Store” tab to your YouTube channel, which you can customize or allow products to be pulled automatically.

If you’re a musician with a YouTube channel, you might also be eligible to sell concert tickets on YouTube to earn extra money. You’ll need an Official Artist Channel and reside in a country or region where ticket features are currently allowed.

6. Work with brands as an influencer

The Interactive Advertising Bureau’s 2025 Creator Economy Ad Spend & Strategy Report found that US creator ad spend reached $37 billion in 2025, up 26% year-over-year, growing at nearly four times the rate of the broader media industry. Nearly half of ad buyers surveyed call creator content a “must buy,” ranking it just behind paid search and social.

Pia Mance, creative director and founder of Heaven Mayhem, describes why she prefers influencer marketing over traditional paid ads. 

“I personally want to lean more into influencer and community rather than ad buying. I think it’s a better way to acquire a customer and I personally would rather buy something from an influencer talking about it because I associate them with knowing good things, and then I kind of have more attachment to the brand,” she says in a Shopify Masters interview. 

YouTube’s Creator Partnerships tools connect creators with brand deals. The Creator Partnerships tab in YouTube Studio lets you manage sponsorship relationships.

You must disclose paid product placements, sponsorships, endorsements, and other paid promotions in your videos. Check out YouTube’s paid promotion policy and the FTC's endorsement guidance for the relevant requirements.

Shopify Collabs connects creators with brands that match their content and values. It handles affiliate links, payment tracking, and commission payouts in one place.

7. Crowdfund your creative projects

Consider shooting a video and uploading it to YouTube to help crowdfund a business project that has a clear purpose and compelling preview materials. Audience members fund the work before it’s finished in exchange for early access, credits, or other rewards. Typically, a crowdfund must reach its funding goal before funds are released. Popular platforms include Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

9. Use affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing lets creators earn a commission by promoting other brands’ products in their videos. There’s no upfront cost to the brand, because they only pay when a sale goes through.

“We are part of ShopMy, which is an affiliate platform,” says Pia, founder of Heaven Mayhem. “It’s really nice because I’m an influencer on it, my brand is on it … the metrics are amazing because you can really see who’s driving the volume, like, instantly and message them."

Just be sure to clearly disclose that you are affiliated with the products you feature.

Amanda Rach Lee, founder of stationery store Shop ARL, uses Amazon affiliate links to earn commission when viewers purchase a recommended product, but she’s careful to disclose that she gets a cut of the sale.

8. Start an affiliate marketing program

Look for affiliate programs that align with your content and are likely to resonate with your audience. Promoting affiliate links can earn you a cut of sales made through that link.

YouTube simplifies this process with its Shopping affiliate program, allowing eligible creators to locate relevant products and view commission percentages. Once you’ve found a product you’d like to promote, you can tag it in your videos.

Commissions are paid through AdSense for YouTube within 60 to 120 days after purchase.

Find affiliates for your products

Store owners can recruit creators to promote their products. Eligible Shopify store owners can add products to the YouTube Shopping affiliate program through the Shopify Google & YouTube app. Set commission rates, sync your catalog, and creators can tag your products in their videos.

Getting paid on YouTube: eligibility and earnings

So, how much can you really make on YouTube? Let’s break down what creators earn at different stages and why results vary so much.

Current YouTube revenue statistics

YouTube ad revenue reached $9.88 billion in the first quarter of 2026, which is 11% more than the same period the year before. That advertising demand creates the revenue pool from which creator earnings are drawn.

How YouTube pays creators

YouTube pays ad revenue and fan funding earnings through AdSense for YouTube on a monthly cycle. Earnings accrue across a month, are finalized and posted to AdSense between the 7th and 12th of the following month. If the balance exceeds the payment threshold, payments go out between the 21st and 26th of that month.

The payment threshold is $100 for US creators. Channels below that balance carry it forward until it crosses the threshold, at which point the next payment cycle triggers a payout.

Note that YouTube earnings may be taxable. YouTube’s partner earnings documentation states that Google withholds US taxes on earnings from US viewers for all monetizing creators worldwide, regardless of where they’re based. Creators may also owe tax to their country of residence on YouTube income. Consider consulting with a tax attorney or accountant to get a clear picture of your tax obligations.

Does YouTube pay per view?

YouTube doesn’t pay a fixed amount per view. Raw view counts don’t translate directly to revenue because not every view generates an ad impression. 

RPM gives a measure of creator earnings per 1,000 total views, including nonmonetized ones. Ads, channel memberships, YouTube Premium revenue, and more contribute to RPM.

How many views do you need on YouTube to make money?

There’s no view threshold for earning ad revenue, however, creators must meet the YPP eligibility requirements to unlock monetization features. Having 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours over the past 12 months, or three million shorts views in 90 days, can grant you access to fan funding options and YouTube Shopping. At 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views, ad revenue and YouTube Premium revenue sharing are also unlocked. 

How much money do YouTubers make per year?

NeoReach’s 2025 Creator Earnings Report surveyed more than 3,000 creators with a combined following of over 1.1 billion. It found that 56.55% of full-time creators earn less than $44,000 annually, which is actually up from 48% in 2023. Brand deals are the most common income source, making up 49% of creator earnings on average. 

While top YouTubers like MrBeast potentially earn tens of millions of dollars each year through their channels, small to mid-sized creators may struggle to sustain themselves on ad revenue and fan funding alone. 

Time makes all the difference. Creators with four or more years of experience earn more than $100,000, on average annually, compared to less than $20,000 for creators in their first year, according to the same report.

Top-earning YouTube channels in 2026

Creators who’ve mastered YouTube monetization can make millions of dollars from their channels each month. Many blend several monetization strategies, including YouTube ads, product lines, and podcast deals, to boost their income. 

Here are 2025’s top-earning content creators, according to Forbes, and their estimated gross earnings between April 2024 and April 2025:

• MrBeast: $85 million
• Dhar Mann: $56 million
• Matt Rife: $50 million
• Jake Paul: $50 million
• Rhett & Link: $36 million
• Ryan Kaji: $35 million
• Alex Cooper: $32 million
• Markiplier: $32 million
• Steven Bartlett: $29 million 
• Mark Rober: $25 million
• Charli D’Amelio: $23.5 million

How do YouTubers maximize their revenue?

This list of top YouTube earners might give you the impression that millions of dollars are earned directly from YouTube ads. In fact, a number of creators have additional revenue streams. Matt Rife, for example, has become a stand-up comic star after building his audience on YouTube. 

If your plan is to make money on YouTube, you must have a clear understanding of your target audience. Once you understand more deeply who your target audience is and what they want, you’ll be better prepared to create content and monetize it in a way that’s both authentic to you and appealing to your fans.

Explore these five revenue streams: 

• Ad revenue
• Owned products
• Brand sponsorships
• Channel memberships
• Affiliate commissions

Owned-audience channels, like email lists, podcasts, and blogs, can bring in revenue that isn’t subject to algorithm or policy changes.

How to make money on YouTube without making videos

Store owners don’t need to become creators to earn through YouTube. Brands can earn by partnering with established creators rather than building an audience from scratch. According to a 2025 Shopify survey, marketing was the top challenge for 37% of store owners, and YouTube creator partnerships are one way to reach a wider audience.

Here are three partnership models that don’t require making videos:

• YouTube Shopping affiliate program. Add products to YouTube’s affiliate catalog and let creators tag them in videos for a commission. Eligible Shopify store owners can do this through the Google & YouTube app.
• Direct sponsorships. Commission creators in relevant niches to feature products in dedicated segments. Use the Creator Partnerships tab in YouTube Studio or platforms like Shopify Collabs to find and manage relationships.
• Gifting programs. Send products to creators for organic mentions. 

Moonboon, a baby sleep accessories brand, built a program of more than 300 creators across five European markets with the help of Shopify Collabs. One creator, with fewer than 25,000 social media followers, even generated over $110,000 in sales. 

Immi, a health-focused ramen brand, grew their affiliate network to 432 ambassadors and generated more than $200,000 in affiliate sales with the help of Shopify Collabs. At one point, their highest-performing affiliate had just over 10,000 Instagram followers, showing that it really comes down to brand alignment rather than glitzy follower counts. 

Tips for selling products on YouTube

According to a 2025 Shopify survey, 35% of store owners said building a social media presence was a Year 1 growth strategy. YouTube’s long-form content gives creators more time to build context around a product than most social platforms, so you can demonstrate a product, share a use case, and include a link in the description, all in a single video.

Follow these YouTube marketing tips to place promotional content in your videos without testing your audience’s patience or trust.

Understand your audience on YouTube

Audience data in YouTube Analytics shows age ranges, genders, geographic locations, and the search terms that bring viewers to your channel. These metrics can help determine which products fit, which brands make sense for sponsorships, and which niches are worth developing.

“I was listening every time I’d put out a piece of content—how to prune tomatoes, how to grow garlic, these sorts of things. I was listening to the comments and people kept asking, you know, ‘What are those little raised bed things that you have in your front yard?’” says Kevin, founder of Epic Gardening. “I found out and I messaged the manufacturer about three, four times over the course of a year, saying, like, Hey, you know, can I get some of these, can I offer some of these in America? They weren’t really big in America yet. Eventually, they said yes, and that’s how the whole Shopify store started.”

You’ll want to pay close attention to:

• The genders of your audience, to see if it skews toward one particular group
• The age range most of your audience falls into
• The geographic location (countries or cities) where your videos are being watched the most
• Your audience’s overall engagement (or “watch time”)
• Which keywords are used to find you in YouTube search

With this information, you’ll understand your audience and work better with brands.

Add info cards to your videos

Info cards (previously known as YouTube Cards) appear as small overlays during playback. YPP creators can use info cards to link to external websites, as long as they comply with platform policies.

Add links in your video descriptions

You can send viewers to your store, Patreon page, Kickstarter campaign, or other revenue sources by adding links to your video descriptions. 

Grace Beverley, for example, shares links to her store, The Productivity Method, in YouTube video descriptions.

Promote your offer on other platforms

Spread the word about new campaigns or discounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and any other social media profiles you own. You could also use AI tools like Descript or VEED to repurpose longer YouTube videos into shorter social media clips to drive followers back to your channel. 

Turn views into revenue with YouTube monetization

Here are three steps to start earning money through YouTube videos, depending on where you are:

• Not yet in the YPP. Focus on the 500-subscriber threshold to unlock fan funding and YouTube Shopping, then hit 1,000 subscribers for ad revenue. Use affiliate links and product sales in the meantime, as neither requires YPP membership.
• In the YPP, earning only from ads. Add one more stream: either connect a Shopify store through YouTube Shopping, join an affiliate program relevant to your niche, or pitch a brand for a sponsorship.
• Running a store without making videos. Add products to the YouTube Shopping affiliate catalog through Shopify, or set up a creator gifting program through Shopify Collabs to reach audiences you haven’t built yet.