How Many Subscribers Do You Need to Make Money on YouTube?

By ankita bose Dec 20, 2024, 00:56 IST

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Short Summary: To join the YouTube Partner Program and start earning ad revenue, most creators need at least 1,000 subscribers along with meeting YouTube’s watch time or Shorts view requirements. This article explains these criteria, how to reach them, and alternative ways to monetize without hitting the subscriber threshold.

Key Takeaways:

  • You typically need 1,000 subscribers to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
  • In addition to subscribers, you must have 4,000 hours of public watch time in the past 12 months or 10 million public Shorts views over the past 90 days.
  • Monetization options include ad revenue, channel memberships, Super Chats and more once you’re accepted into the YPP.
  • You can also make money outside of the YPP through affiliate marketing, sponsored content and merchandise sales, regardless of subscriber count.

Introduction
If you’re looking to earn money from your YouTube channel, understanding the platform’s eligibility requirements is important. YouTube provides a way for creators to monetize their content through the YouTube Partner Program, but the path isn’t automatic. You need a minimum number of subscribers and specific watch or view metrics before you can tap into ad revenue and other monetization features. Knowing these requirements helps you plan your content strategy and work toward generating income on your channel.

Understanding YouTube’s Subscriber Requirements for Monetization

1,000 Subscribers Minimum:
To become eligible for the YouTube Partner Program, one of the primary criteria is reaching at least 1,000 subscribers. This threshold ensures that your channel has a small but engaged audience. While hitting this milestone doesn’t guarantee a steady income, it qualifies you to apply for the YPP once you meet all other requirements.

Additional Requirements: Watch Time or Shorts Views

Watch Time Hours (Long-Form Content):

  • 4,000 Public Watch Hours in the Past 12 Months: If you create traditional, long form videos, your audience must watch at least 4,000 hours of your publicly available content over the last year.

Shorts Views (Short-Form Content):

  • 10 Million Public Shorts Views in the Past 90 Days: For creators focusing on YouTube Shorts, you’ll need 10 million views on your public Shorts videos within the last three months.

Important Note: You only need to meet one of these two metrics (4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views) in addition to your 1,000 subscribers.

Why These Requirements Exist

YouTube sets these thresholds to maintain quality and trust across the platform. By requiring a minimum audience size and engagement, YouTube can ensure that monetized channels are providing valuable content to viewers. This screening process helps advertisers feel confident about running ads on your videos and supports a healthy ecosystem where quality creators are rewarded.

What Happens After You Meet the Requirements

Once you’ve reached 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program. After applying, YouTube will review your channel to ensure it follows all community guidelines and advertiser friendly policies. If approved, you can start monetizing through:

  • Ad Revenue: Earn money from ads shown before, during, or after your videos.
  • Channel Memberships: Offer monthly memberships to fans in exchange for perks.
  • Super Chat and Super Stickers (Live Streams): Viewers can pay to have their messages highlighted during live streams.
  • Merchandise Shelf: Showcase official merch directly under your videos (if eligible).

Earning Money Without Reaching 1,000 Subscribers

If you’re not yet at the official monetization thresholds, there are still ways to earn money from your channel’s audience and brand:

  • Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services you believe in and earn a commission on sales made through your unique link.
  • Sponsored Videos and Brand Deals: Work directly with companies to feature their products in your content, often for a flat fee.
  • Merchandise Sales: Create and sell branded merchandise to fans.
  • Crowdfunding and Donations: Use platforms like Patreon, Ko-fi, or Buy Me a Coffee to receive direct support from your audience.

These methods don’t require a minimum subscriber count and can be effective ways to generate revenue even as you grow your channel.

Tips for Growing Your Subscriber Base and Meeting Thresholds

  • Create Consistent, High Quality Content: Regular uploads that offer value keep viewers engaged and encourage them to subscribe.
  • Optimize Your Video Titles, Tags, and Descriptions: Use relevant keywords and clear descriptions to help potential viewers find your content.
  • Encourage Viewer Engagement: Ask viewers to like, comment, and subscribe. Interacting with your audience helps build community.
  • Promote Your Channel on Social Media: Share your videos across platforms to attract new viewers.
  • Study Your Analytics: YouTube’s built-in analytics can guide you on what’s working and where you can improve.

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Helpful Links and Official Sources

Conclusion
Reaching 1,000 subscribers and meeting YouTube’s watch time or Shorts view criteria can open the door to direct monetization through the YouTube Partner Program. While it may take time and consistent effort, understanding these requirements allows you to set realistic goals and track your progress. For those not yet at the threshold, exploring alternative revenue streams can help you earn money and fund your creative journey as you continue to grow.

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