How to Monetize YouTube Videos: Top 9 Strategies for Creators 💸

Whether you’re a YouTuber, podcaster, or content creator on any platform, learning how to monetize YouTube videos is essential to turning your passion into a sustainable income. With so many ways to make money on YouTube beyond just ads, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

In this guide, we break down 9 proven strategies for creators to monetize YouTube content effectively, build multiple income streams, and grow your creative business. Let’s dive in and unlock your earning potential!

🔥 Top Creator Strategies for How to Monetize YouTube Videos:

1. Monetize YouTube Videos with Ads: Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
2. Sell Products: Merch, Digital Downloads, and YouTube Shopping
3. Enable Channel Memberships for Fan Support
4. Earn from Live Streams: Super Chats and Super Stickers
5. Monetize Viewer Support with Super Thanks
6. Earn Commissions with Affiliate Marketing Links
7. Get Sponsorships: Partner with Brands and Promote Products
8. Monetize YouTube Reuploads of Your Content with Content ID
9. License Your Videos to News Outlets and Stock Platforms

📚 More Resources on Monetizing YouTube Videos:

• FAQs about How to Monetize YouTube Channels
• How to Maximize Your Ad Earnings by Avoiding Copyright Claims
• YouTube Partner Program Requirements
• Best Practices for Affiliate Marketing on YouTube
• Conclusion: Turn Your Channel into a Revenue Engine

1. Monetize YouTube Videos with Ads: Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

Joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is a crucial first step for creators serious about monetizing their channels. YPP not only allows you to earn ad revenue but also unlocks a suite of powerful monetization tools designed to maximize your income and deepen audience engagement.

By becoming a YouTube Partner, you gain access to:

• Monetize YouTube videos with ads: Earn revenue from ads shown before, during, or alongside your content.
• Super Chats and Super Stickers: Monetize YouTube live streams by letting fans pay to highlight their messages and send animated stickers.
• Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive perks to subscribers who pay monthly, building a steady recurring revenue stream.
• YouTube Shopping Features: Connect your product store and tag merchandise directly in your videos to boost sales and brand visibility.
• Super Thanks: Enable viewers to show appreciation with one-time payments on your uploaded videos, turning casual fans into paying supporters.

Being part of YPP is more than just earning ad revenue – it’s a mark of trust that empowers creators to turn their passion into a sustainable business. With these tools at your fingertips, you can transform casual viewers into loyal supporters, while building multiple income streams that grow alongside your channel.

YouTube Partner Program Requirements:

To become eligible for the YouTube Partner program, your channel must meet all of the following:

• Live in a country or region where the YouTube Partner Program is available
• Have no Community Guidelines strikes on your channel
• Comply with all of YouTube’s monetization policies and guidelines
• Ensure 2-Step verification is enabled for your Google Account
• Have an AdSense account linked to your YouTube channel
• Enable advanced features in YouTube
• Meet one of the subscriber and view/watch hour thresholds:
  • Have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours on your long-form videos in the last 12 months, or
  • Have 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

You can track your eligibility and select “Get notified” in the Earn section of YouTube Studio to receive an email alert as soon as your channel qualifies.

Once eligible, you can apply for YPP directly from your YouTube Studio dashboard. After approval, you’ll be able to monetize YouTube videos through ads and access other revenue features designed to help creators make money on YouTube.

For detailed information on the YouTube Partner Program and how to apply, visit the official YouTube help page.

How to Maximize Your Ad Earnings by Avoiding Copyright Claims

One of the biggest challenges creators face when trying to monetize YouTube videos is dealing with copyright claims. When you use unlicensed music or content, copyright owners can claim your video’s revenue (or even block monetization altogether). This directly reduces your ability to make money on YouTube from ads.

To protect your earnings and keep your content claim-free, always use licensed or copyright-free music. Creator music sites like Thematic offer a wide selection of fully licensed tracks tailored for creators. By using properly licensed music, you ensure your videos remain eligible for monetization and avoid copyright issues that can cut into your revenue ✅

The best part is, creating an account on Thematic is totally free. Whether you’re creating vlogs, tutorials, or social media videos, Thematic is the go-to music library for creators.

2. Sell Products: Merch, Digital Downloads, and YouTube Shopping

Selling your own products is one of the most effective ways to monetize YouTube beyond just ads. Whether it’s physical merchandise, digital downloads, or creator-branded tools, product sales let you turn your audience engagement into real revenue. You don’t need millions of subscribers – just a clear offering and a loyal fan base.

You can sell products directly by adding links in your video descriptions or level up with YouTube Shopping if you’re eligible.

Option 1: Use Direct Links to Promote your Store & Products

Even if you’re not in the YouTube Partner Program, you can still earn money on YouTube by promoting your own products with direct links. This is the fastest and most flexible way to start selling.

Popular platforms creators use to sell products include:

• Shopify – for physical products and full-scale eCommerce
• Gumroad or Lemon Squeezy – for digital goods and pay-what-you-want offers
• Etsy – for handmade or print-on-demand merch
• Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee – for tip jars and digital downloads

Where to add your product links:

• Video descriptions
• Pinned comments
• Community posts
• Channel social links or “About” section

✅ Pro Tip: To drive more sales, use in-video CTAs and visual prompts like screen overlays, product showcases, or end screens.

Option 2: Use YouTube Shopping (if Eligible)

If you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you can connect your store directly to your channel and monetize YouTube by promoting products across your videos using YouTube Shopping.

YouTube Shopping lets you:

• Connect your storefront (Shopify, Spring, Spreadshop, etc.)
• Tag products in long-form videos, Shorts, and livestreams
• Monitor product performance via Shopping Analytics in YouTube Studio
• Show featured products in:
  • Your channel’s Store tab
  • Video descriptions
  • Product shelves below videos
  • A Shopping button on your content

Your audience can browse and purchase items without leaving YouTube, increasing conversions and keeping viewers engaged.

Eligibility Requirements for YouTube Shopping:

To use YouTube Shopping features, your channel must:

• Be part of the YouTube Partner Program
• Have at least 1,000 subscribers or be an Official Artist Channel
• Not be set as “Made for Kids” (and most content should not target children)
• Have no Community Guidelines strikes for hate speech

Once eligible, enable Shopping in the Earn section of YouTube Studio to begin tagging and selling directly through your content. Learn more about YouTube Shopping eligibility and features here.

What Can You Sell on YouTube?

Merchandise isn’t limited to t-shirts and hoodies. Today’s creators are building entire product lines that reflect their audience’s interests, and using them to monetize YouTube beyond just ad revenue. Here are just a few ideas for products that creators can sell through their YouTube channel:

Physical products:

• Apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, hats)
• Accessories (stickers, phone cases, tote bags)
• Signed prints, books, or collector’s items

Digital goods:

• Notion templates, productivity tools, or educational resources
• Ebooks, guides, or checklists
• Digital art and wallpapers
• LUTs or presets (great for visual creators)
• Music packs, sample kits, or sound effects

Whether you’re selling your own presets, launching a comic series, or building a streetwear brand, merchandise lets you make money on YouTube and beyond, while deepening your connection with your fans. The best part? You keep full control of the brand and pricing – and these sales aren’t subject to ad fluctuations or algorithm changes.

✅ Pro Tip: Showcase your products in action. Fans are more likely to buy when they see how your merch fits into your lifestyle, brand, or creative process.

Why Selling Products Matters

Creating and selling your own merchandise allows you to:

• Monetize YouTube beyond ads and sponsorships
• Build brand recognition with your audience
• Generate recurring income from loyal fans
• Diversify your revenue streams with both digital and physical products

Whether you’re launching your first downloadable resource or scaling a full merch line, product sales are a powerful tool for creators serious about growing their YouTube business.

✅ Pro Tip: You don’t need fancy tools to get started. Start simple: offer a downloadable PDF, digital preset, or link to a print-on-demand T-shirt. As your channel grows, scale your product offerings and consider integrating with YouTube Shopping for even greater reach.

3. Enable Channel Memberships for Fan Support

Channel memberships are one of the most effective ways to monetize YouTube channels by generating recurring monthly income from your most engaged fans.

Once you’re accepted into the YouTube Partner Program, you can unlock this feature and offer paid memberships with exclusive perks. These perks create a deeper connection with your audience while encouraging them to support your content financially.

With channel memberships, you can offer exclusive perks to subscribers who pay a monthly fee (you set the price tiers). Your member perks can include:

• Members-only videos or livestreams
• Custom loyalty badges and emojis
• Early access to new content
• Behind-the-scenes updates or exclusive community posts

These benefits give your biggest fans a reason to go beyond views and contribute directly to your channel’s growth.

Requirements for YouTube Channel Memberships:

To enable channel memberships, you and your channel must meet the following criteria:

• Be part of the YouTube Partner Program
• You (the channel owner) must be at least 18 years old
• Accept and comply with YouTube’s Channel Memberships terms and policies
• Be located in a country or region where memberships are supported
• Not be set as “made for kids,” and the majority of videos should not be made for children
• Minimize the number of videos with music copyright claims, as they may impact eligibility

Promoting memberships in your videos, community tab, and end screens can help you build a stable income stream while offering real value to your audience. Using memberships is one of the most direct ways to monetize YouTube content. Find out more about enabling Memberships for your channel in YouTube’s Help Center.

✅ Pro Tip: Consistently remind your viewers what they’ll get from joining your channel – it helps convert casual viewers into paying supporters.

4. Earn from Live Streams: Super Chats and Super Stickers

If you livestream regularly, Super Chats and Super Stickers are great tools to help you monetize YouTube in real time. These features let your viewers pay to highlight their messages or send animated stickers during live broadcasts.

Here’s how YouTube Super Chats & Stickers works:

• Super Chats: Fans purchase messages that get highlighted and pinned during your livestream.
  • The higher the payment, the longer their message stays visible.
• Super Stickers: Supporters can send fun, animated stickers to show appreciation or excitement.

These monetization tools are perfect for creators who build strong community engagement through live video. Viewers love the recognition, and creators earn money directly during broadcasts.

Channel Requirements for Super Chats and Super Stickers:

To enable Super Chats and Super Stickers, you and your channel must meet the following criteria:

• Be part of the YouTube Partner Program
• You (the creator) must be at least 18 years old
• Be located in a country or region where Super Chat and Super Stickers are supported
• Have accepted and comply with YouTube’s Supers terms and policies

When eligible, the Supers tab will appear in the Earn section of YouTube Studio. Get all the info on Super Chats and Super Stickers here.

Video Eligibility for Super Chats and Super Stickers:

Even if your channel is eligible, not all videos qualify. Super Chat and Super Stickers are not available on:

• Age-restricted content
• Unlisted or private videos
• Videos marked as “made for kids”
• Videos with YouTube Giving fundraisers
• Videos where live chat or comments are disabled

Super Chats & Stickers can turn livestreams into high-earning sessions – especially when paired with active fan interaction and timely content.

✅ Pro Tip: Use live Q&As, premieres, or special events to encourage Super Chats and boost monetization during key moments. Also, engaging directly with viewer messages during the stream encourages more participation and boosts revenue.

5. Monetize Viewer Support with Super Thanks

Super Thanks (formerly Viewer Applause) lets creators monetize YouTube videos and Shorts by enabling viewers to send one-time payments as a sign of appreciation. This feature gives your audience a fun, interactive way to support your content beyond ads, memberships, or merchandise.

How Super Thanks Works:

• Viewers can purchase Super Thanks at multiple price points.
• A colorful animation plays only for the buyer over the video or Short.
• Buyers get a special, customizable comment pinned in the comment section, helping them stand out and engage with you.

Channel Requirements for Super Thanks:

To unlock Super Thanks, your channel must first meet the basic fan funding requirements:

• Be part of the YouTube Partner Program
• You (the creator) must be at least 18 years old
• Be located in a country or region where Super Thanks is available
• Not set as “made for kids,” with minimal kids-focused content
• Agree to YouTube’s terms and policies for the Super Thanks program

📝 Note: Some music channels (like those under specific SRAV contracts) may not be eligible for Super Thanks.

Video Eligibility for Super Thanks:

Super Thanks is not available on the following video types:

• Age-restricted, unlisted, or private videos
• Content marked as “made for kids”
• Videos or Shorts with Content ID claims
• Videos or Shorts with YouTube Giving fundraisers
• Live streams or premieres while live (available on archived videos after)
• Videos or Shorts with comments turned off

Why Use Super Thanks?

Super Thanks lets you monetize YouTube videos by directly engaging with fans who want to support you. It’s perfect for creators who want an extra revenue stream alongside ads, memberships, and merchandise – especially for both YouTube Shorts and long-form videos. Dive into all the specifics about Super Thanks and how to turn it on for your channel here.

✅ Pro Tip: Promote Super Thanks during your videos and encourage viewers to show their support. Highlighting unique comments can boost engagement and drive more revenue.

6. Earn Commissions with Affiliate Marketing Links

Affiliate marketing is a powerful way to monetize YouTube channels by recommending products your audience will love. When viewers purchase through your affiliate links, you earn a commission – turning your influence into a steady income stream without needing your own products.

YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program

If you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program and using YouTube Shopping, you can join the official YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program. This lets you:

• Promote products from popular brands and creators directly on YouTube
• Easily add affiliate links to product tags in your videos, Shorts, and live streams
• Earn commissions when viewers buy through your tagged products on YouTube
• Track your affiliate performance seamlessly via YouTube Analytics

This integration simplifies affiliate marketing by combining product discovery and purchasing within the YouTube platform, boosting conversion rates and keeping viewers engaged (and giving you another great way to easily make money from your YouTube channel). Learn more about the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program here.

Using Affiliate Marketplaces Outside of YouTube

You’re not limited to YouTube’s affiliate program. Many creators successfully monetize YouTube by promoting products through established affiliate marketplaces such as:

• Amazon Associates – One of the largest and most versatile affiliate programs with millions of products to choose from.
• ShareASale – Offers partnerships with a wide range of brands and niche-specific products.
• Rakuten Advertising – Provides access to big-name brands and personalized affiliate opportunities.
• CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction) – Connects creators with top-tier merchants in diverse industries.

These platforms provide unique affiliate links you can place in your video descriptions, pinned comments, or community posts to earn commissions on sales generated from your audience.

Best Practices for Affiliate Marketing on YouTube

• Be transparent with your audience by disclosing affiliate links – trust matters.
• Promote products that genuinely fit your channel’s niche and audience interests.
• Use clear call-to-actions in your videos and descriptions to encourage clicks.
• Track your affiliate link performance regularly to optimize your strategy.
• Combine affiliate marketing with other monetization methods for a diversified income.

Affiliate marketing is an accessible way for creators at all levels to monetize YouTube videos, build brand partnerships, and grow sustainable revenue streams.

✅ Pro Tip: Use affiliate links alongside YouTube Shopping tags to maximize your monetization potential – give your audience multiple ways to shop and support your channel.

Join Thematic’s Affiliate Squad

Want to boost your income by promoting premium licensed music and audio tools your audience will love? Join Thematic’s Affiliate Squad – our exclusive program for creators and influencers.

By partnering with Thematic, you can earn commissions while sharing top-quality music that’s perfect for YouTube videos, social content, and more. It’s a great way to diversify your revenue streams with relevant products tailored to creators.

Apply now to join Thematic’s Affiliate Squad and start monetizing your influence today!

7. Get Sponsorships: Partner with Brands and Promote Products

Brand sponsorships are one of the most lucrative ways to monetize YouTube channels and videos – often providing more income per deal than ad revenue or affiliate sales. As your audience grows and your niche becomes more defined, brands will see the value in paying you to promote their products or services.

There are several ways to land brand deals as a YouTube creator:

Use YouTube BrandConnect (for Eligible Channels)

If you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you may be eligible to access YouTube BrandConnect, YouTube’s official branded content platform to monetize YouTube with sponsorships.

YouTube BrandConnect matches creators with brands based on audience insights, video performance, and content categories. It simplifies the sponsorship process by:

• Offering pre-qualified sponsorship opportunities directly in YouTube Studio
• Managing contracts, campaign tracking, and payment on your behalf
• Letting you maintain creative control over how brand messaging appears in your content
• Giving you access to unique measurement tools powered by Google’s insights

If available, you’ll find the BrandConnect tab in the Earn section of YouTube Studio, helping you monetize YouTube with branded content while focusing on what you do best – creating.

Reach Out to Brands Directly

If you don’t yet qualify for BrandConnect (or want to create more personalized deals), you can pitch sponsorships to brands yourself. Here’s how:

• Create a media kit with your channel stats, audience demographics, and past collaborations
• Identify relevant brands that align with your niche and your audience’s interests
• Email their partnerships or influencer marketing team with a short, compelling pitch and content ideas
• Highlight past successful brand integrations (if applicable) to build trust
• Offer creative formats (product reviews, shoutouts, integrations, giveaways, etc.) to spark interest

✅ Pro Tip: Even small creators with high engagement and niche audiences can land sponsorships. Micro and nano-influencer partnerships are increasingly valuable to brands.

Join Influencer Marketplaces

Influencer marketing platforms are a great way to get discovered by brands and monetize YouTube through sponsorship opportunities. These marketplaces help creators land paid deals at scale.

Popular platforms include:

• Aspire – Great for connecting with eCommerce and DTC brands
• FameBit (now part of BrandConnect) – Formerly independent, now integrated into YouTube’s platform
• Upfluence – Offers tools for influencer discovery and brand outreach
• Collabstr – Lets creators list their services and get discovered by businesses
• Influencity – Connects creators with large-scale brand campaigns

✅ Pro Tip: Always read the terms of influencer contracts. Some brands may request usage rights or exclusivity – make sure you’re being fairly compensated.

Sponsored Content Guidelines on YouTube

When promoting sponsored products in your videos, remember to:

• Check the box for “Paid promotion” when uploading your video
• Verbally disclose your sponsorship in the content itself
• Include a written disclosure (like #ad or #sponsored) in the video description
• Follow FTC guidelines and YouTube’s branded content policies

Being transparent builds trust with your audience and keeps your channel compliant.

✅ Pro Tip: Always double-check that the music you’re using is cleared for sponsored content. Not all royalty-free music covers branded video, and using unlicensed music could get your video demonetized or taken down. But don’t worry – Thematic makes it easy: all tracks in Thematic’s catalog are cleared for use in brand-sponsored and monetized content at no extra cost. Sign-up for a free Thematic account to get access to brand-friendly tracks.

Whether you’re working with big-name brands through YouTube BrandConnect or landing your first deal via email, brand partnerships can become a major revenue stream. They also give you the chance to create content that aligns with your values, interests, and audience needs.

8. Monetize YouTube Reuploads of Your Content with Content ID

If your original videos are frequently repurposed, re-uploaded, or shared by other creators or media outlets on YouTube, you may be able to monetize those user-uploaded videos using YouTube’s Content ID system.

YouTube’s Content ID automatically scans and identifies videos that use your copyrighted material (like your original video clips, music, or visuals) and lets you claim and monetize those videos through ads, without having to manually issue takedown requests.

📝 Note: YouTube only grants Content ID access to copyright holders who meet strict requirements. You must own the exclusive rights to a substantial library of original content that’s frequently reused on the platform.

How to Get Access to Content ID

Most individual creators don’t receive direct access to Content ID. Instead, many work with third-party rights management services or YouTube-certified partners who can handle Content ID monetization on their behalf.

If you’re looking to partner with a company that can help manage or monetize your rights through Content ID, explore options in YouTube’s official Creator Services Directory. This directory includes trusted agencies and tools that offer Content ID support, channel management, licensing, and more.

9. License Your Videos to News Outlets and Stock Platforms

If your video captures something newsworthy, funny, or highly shareable, like a viral moment, a unique how-to, or compelling footage, you can license it to media outlets, brands, or stock platforms for use in their own content.

This form of monetization gives others the legal right to use your YouTube video content in exchange for payment or royalties. This can be a highly profitable way to monetize YouTube videos, especially when your content is in high demand!

Popular platforms for licensing content:

• Storyful – Works with viral and newsworthy UGC. Often reaches out directly to creators.
• Jukin Media (now part of Trusted Media Brands) – Acquires and licenses viral videos, often paying upfront and sharing future revenue.
• Pond5 or Shutterstock – Stock marketplaces where you can upload high-quality video clips to sell as B-roll or editorial footage.
• ViralHog – Specializes in licensing viral and funny videos to news outlets and media companies.

✅ Pro Tip: If your content has gone viral, don’t just give away the rights for free. Hold out for a licensing agreement, and always read the fine print to make sure you retain ownership and are fairly compensated.

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FAQs about How to Monetize YouTube Videos

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your creator income, these frequently asked questions break down the key details about YouTube monetization – from eligibility and payment to policies and best practices.

How many views do I need to start making money on YouTube?

You don’t need a specific number of views to start earning money. Rather, you need to meet YouTube’s eligibility requirements for monetization. For example, to join the YouTube Partner Program and monetize YouTube videos with ads, you need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.

However, even without joining the YPP, you can make money through affiliate links, selling products, or brand deals, which don’t require any minimum view count.

How soon can I start making money on YouTube?

You can start earning money as soon as your channel meets the eligibility requirements for ad monetization – primarily by joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). To qualify, you’ll need:

• At least 1,000 subscribers
• 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days
• A linked AdSense account
• No active Community Guidelines strikes
• Two-step verification enabled

Once you meet these thresholds, you can apply to the YPP from the Earn tab in YouTube Studio. If accepted, you can begin monetizing your videos with ads, channel memberships, Supers features, and more. In the meantime, you can still earn income through affiliate links, sponsorships, and product sales – even before you officially monetize YouTube videos with ads through the Partner Program.

Can all creators monetize YouTube videos?

Most creators can monetize YouTube videos, but there are requirements and restrictions. To access official YouTube monetization features (like ads, Super Chats, and Shopping), your channel must join the YouTube Partner Program and comply with all of YouTube’s monetization policies.

But if you’re not in the YPP yet, you can still sell products, use affiliate links, or partner with brands to make money. To maximize your chances of earning, stay consistent with uploads, build a loyal audience, and follow YouTube’s content guidelines closely.

Do you need 1,000 subscribers to monetize YouTube?

Yes, joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which unlocks monetization features like ads, Super Chats, and channel memberships, requires your channel to have at least 1,000 subscribers. This is one of the key eligibility criteria, along with having 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months (or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days), complying with YouTube’s policies, and linking an AdSense account.

However, you don’t need 1,000 subscribers to start making money on YouTube. Even smaller channels can earn revenue through affiliate marketing links, selling products via links in video descriptions, or partnering directly with brands. These methods don’t require YPP eligibility and can help you start generating income while you grow your subscriber count.

How long does it take to get accepted into the YouTube Partner Program?

The review process for joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) usually takes about 1 month after you meet the eligibility requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months).

However, this timing can vary depending on factors like the volume of applications and whether your channel content complies with YouTube’s policies. In some cases, it may take longer if manual review is needed. Once accepted, you’ll receive an email notification and gain access to monetization features such as ads, memberships, and Super features.

How does YouTube pay creators?

YouTube pays creators through Google AdSense, typically on a monthly schedule. To receive payments, you need to link an AdSense account to your YouTube channel and meet the payment threshold (usually $100 USD).

Earnings are calculated based on ad revenue, Super Chats, channel memberships, Super Thanks, and other monetization methods. YouTube reports your estimated revenue daily in YouTube Studio, but payments are finalized and sent once per month, usually between the 21st and 26th, depending on your location and bank processing times.

Can I monetize YouTube Shorts?

Yes, you can monetize YouTube Shorts, but not in the traditional way through ads shown before or during videos. Instead, YouTube offers the YouTube Shorts Fund, a $100 million fund that rewards creators based on the performance of their Shorts.

Additionally, features like Super Thanks and affiliate marketing can apply to Shorts if your channel is eligible. YouTube is continuously expanding monetization options for Shorts, so creators can expect more ways to earn revenue over time.

Are there any countries where YouTube monetization isn’t available?

Yes, YouTube monetization features, including the YouTube Partner Program, Super Chats, channel memberships, and Shopping, are not available in all countries and regions. Availability depends on local laws, regulations, and YouTube’s own policies. Some countries may have limited or no access to certain monetization tools. YouTube regularly expands monetization to new locations, so it’s a good idea to check YouTube’s official monetized markets list for the most current list of supported countries.

Can I monetize videos that have copyrighted music?

Generally, videos containing copyrighted music that you don’t have rights for are not eligible for monetization, as they often trigger copyright claims or strikes. These claims may prevent ads from running or redirect ad revenue to the copyright owners instead of you.

To monetize your videos fully, it’s best to use music you own, have licensed, or music from royalty-free libraries. Platforms like Thematic offer pre-cleared music specifically for monetized and branded content, ensuring your videos stay copyright-safe and fully monetizable.

📌 Conclusion: Turn Your YouTube Channel into a Revenue Engine

YouTube offers more ways than ever to monetize – whether it’s through ads, digital product sales, memberships, fan funding, affiliate links, or sponsorships. The most successful creators often combine several of these revenue streams to build a thriving, sustainable business.

But monetization isn’t just about making money. It’s about building real relationships with your audience and offering value beyond your videos. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale, choose monetization strategies that align with your content style and community.

And as your income grows, don’t forget the details that protect it. One of the easiest ways to safeguard your earnings is by keeping your videos copyright-safe, especially when working with sponsors or running ads.

✅ Pro Tip: Keep your videos copyright-free and revenue-ready by using music that’s cleared for monetized and sponsored content. Join Thematic to access trending music from real artists – always safe for monetization, always fresh for your audience.

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Looking for more free creator tools and resources? Visit Thematic’s Creator Toolkit for additional resources on creating content – including thumbnail and channel art templates, best practices, and of course, great royalty free songs to use in your videos for free with Thematic.

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