How Do You Make Money On YouTube?
There are four ways you can make an income on YouTube.
1. YouTube Partner Program
The YouTube Partner Program is YouTube’s official monetization program for eligible creators based on the premise of revenue sharing.
In return for creating and uploading popular videos on the platform, YouTube pays creators in various ways.
Ad Revenue Share
This is when YouTube inserts ads throughout your videos and you receive a share of the revenue. Payout range varies, with creators reporting approximately $18 per 1,000 ad views.
YouTube Premium Revenue Share
YouTube Premium subscribers don’t see ads; instead, they pay a monthly fee. Eligible creators share 55% of the revenue YouTube collects from subscribers.
YouTube Shopping
YouTube Shopping is the platform’s native social commerce tool where eligible creators can sell products directly through their videos.
YouTube Shorts Fund
YouTube sells ads in the Shorts feature; eligible creators share 45% of the revenue generated.
2. Influencer Marketing
If you have an audience on YouTube, you can partner with brands as an influencer.
Depending on the brand deal, you might film a sponsored ad to include in your video content, do a product walkthrough or review, film a video on location at a store, hotel, or restaurant, or create specific content that shares a message relevant to the brand partner.
The key to being an influencer is not just maintaining (and growing) your audience, but brushing up on your business skills and sourcing potential brand partners. Joining ’s Influencer & Creator Program can help you get there.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is when you promote a brand’s product using a custom link or coupon code — when someone uses it to make a purchase, you get a commission.
With powered by Mavely. you can integrate with your preferred affiliate network, including Rakuten, Impact, Commission Junction (CJ), Partnerize, Ascend, AWIN, ShareASale, AvantLink, Pepperjam, and BrandVerity.
Just like influencer marketing, you want to ensure content-product fit and only recommend products that make sense for your content and your audience.
Note: Whether you’re starting from scratch or reviving an old channel, Mavely’s how to become a YouTuber guide has the tools, tips, and mindset shifts you need to succeed.
4. Subscriptions and Patrons
YouTube creators can post publicly while offering exclusive content to subscribers or one-time contributors. This can be done through YouTube Subscriptions or other platforms like Patreon, Ko-Fi, or Gumroad.
The key to success is adding more value for subscribers—behind-the-scenes content, IRL meetups, or other benefits.
