How to enable monetization on youtube without 1000 subscribers

You’ve enabled your YouTube account for monetization, connected to Google’s AdSense and now you can start collecting money.  But there’s a problem. YouTube has yet again changed the game.

Instead of being open to those with 10,000 lifetime views, YouTube has reserved monetization for those with 4,000 hours of watch time within the past 12 months and at least 1,000 subscribers. But fret not because you can make money on YouTube without monetization, even for those who have a small following.

Before diving into that, let’s look at what monetization is. YouTube, a site with 1.5 billion active monthly viewers, gives channels a way to make money from advertisers. By connecting an account to AdSense, users can collect money based on viewership. While some full-time YouTubers make millions, most people make about $1 for every 1,000 views.

Here’s what we recommend for those who don’t meet YouTube’s new monetization criteria:

1) Join affiliate programs.

This means partnering with a company by linking to its products from your channel. That way, every time someone buys the company’s product using the link you posted, you’ll receive a small percentage.

One of the most popular affiliates is Amazon Associates. Like most such programs, it’s quickly and easily set up. The hard part is getting people to click the link and purchase the product. That might be difficult if you don’t have a large following but not impossible, especially if you have a small one that’s very engaged.

How to enable monetization on youtube without 1000 subscribers

2) Partner with brands.

Brands can pay you to make videos using or reviewing their products, even if you don’t have a large following. If you have a niche audience that trusts you, brands trying to reach that market may be willing to pay you.

On its Creators Academy site, YouTube has an entire course that discusses everything from how to choose the right brand partnerships to how to get hired and build a relationship with brands.

How to enable monetization on youtube without 1000 subscribers

3) Sell your products.

If you have an eBook, coaching programs, lawn mowers, makeup, etc., you can sell them on YouTube. Consumers are from 64 percent to 85 percent more likely to buy after watching a product video. Of course, you’ll need to link back to your website or landing page so viewers can purchase the product. But showing them the product and even yourself in the video starts building trust, and people do business with others they know, like and trust.

To recap, if you don’t have enough subscribers or hours of watch time for monetization, join an affiliate program, strike brand deals or sell your own products.

This video goes further in depth on how to make money on YouTube without monetization:

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This article highlights changes to the YouTube Partner Program that will begin taking effect from early 2023. Updated YouTube Partner Program terms will be available for all partners to accept starting mid-January. This includes new terms to start earning ads revenue from Shorts. We’ll announce when the new terms are available.

We’ve been hard at work evolving and expanding the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Starting in mid-January 2023, updates to YPP will open up access to partnership for more creators and give all partners more ways to make money with Shorts, including revenue sharing on ads. Revenue sharing for Shorts ads will begin on February 1, 2023 for those who sign the appropriate agreements beforehand. Learn all the details on this page.

NEW: Shorts Ad Revenue, New Paths to YPP, Earlier Fan Funding, Shorts Super Thanks and More!

What's new

Here’s a quick overview of what’s new – keep in mind that some features are launching in select markets before others. Click on each new feature set to learn more, and read about how we’re expanding eligibility thresholds below:

  • Earn money with YouTube Shorts
  • Monetize content with music

More opportunity for more creators

Today, YouTube offers 10 ways for creators to earn money on YouTube. While we’re adding to the ways you can earn with this announcement, we’re also introducing varying eligibility thresholds for YPP to open it up to even more creators. Starting in mid-January 2023, newly eligible creators will be able to join YPP by either:

  1. Getting 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months, or
  2. Getting 1,000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

🎉 As of October 2022, eligible Shorts views for creators not in YPP count towards eligibility for YPP!

In addition to the above, we’ll be introducing lower eligibility thresholds for YPP creators to access Fan Funding even earlier (such as Super Thanks, Super Chat, Super Stickers, and channel memberships). These new eligibility thresholds for Fan Funding will start sometime in 2023 and apply to long-form video, live stream, and Shorts content. More info to come!

Keep in mind that any public watch hours from Shorts views in the Shorts Feed won’t count towards the 4,000 public watch hours threshold.

Earn money on YouTube Shorts

Become eligible for YPP with Shorts

We’re excited to announce a YouTube Partner Program (YPP) eligibility threshold for Shorts creators. Starting in mid-January 2023, creators can become eligible for YPP by gaining 1,000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. Once in the program, partners get access to all the features and benefits that YPP has to offer, including ads on long-form videos. Creators still have the option to qualify for YPP with 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months, however any watch hours from Shorts views don’t count towards that threshold.

After applying for YPP, a channel will be reviewed to check whether it meets YouTube’s channel monetization policies. These apply to anyone in or looking to apply to YPP. To be eligible for monetization, channels must upload original content, whether created on or off YouTube. 

Examples of ineligible videos include:

  • Non-original videos, like unedited clips from movies or TV shows
  • Reuploading other creators' content from YouTube or other platforms, with no original content added

To monetize with ads, content must also meet our advertiser-friendly content guidelines.

Ad revenue with Shorts

Ads revenue sharing for Shorts begins on February 1, 2023. There won't be changes to existing revenue sharing models for long-form videos or Fan Funding products.

Starting February 1, 2023, all new and existing creators in YPP will become eligible for revenue sharing on ads that are viewed between Shorts in the Shorts Feed. As a YPP partner, you’ll need to review and accept the relevant agreement in order to share ads revenue on Shorts. Ads revenue sharing on Shorts is another way for creators to make money on YouTube, in addition to other revenue streams like ads on long-form videos, Fan Funding, merch, and more.

Each month, revenue from these ads will be added together and used to reward Shorts creators and help cover costs of music licensing. From the overall amount allocated to creators, they will keep 45% of the revenue, no matter if they use music in their Shorts. This revenue will b e distributed to creators based on the number of views their Shorts get in each country.

Replacing the YouTube Shorts Fund

When Shorts ads revenue sharing begins on February 1, 2023, it will replace the YouTube Shorts Fund. We expect the majority of Shorts Fund recipients to earn more under this new model. Moving away from a fixed fund towards ads revenue sharing ensures creators share in the platform’s success – as YouTube Shorts and the community grows, so do creator earnings. The final Shorts Fund invites for January activity will go out in mid-February 2023, with payments in March (subject to AdSense payment thresholds and requirements).

Will YouTube’s ad policies still apply to monetization with Shorts?

Will I automatically join YPP if I’m already a Shorts creator that meets the eligibility threshold?

No, you won’t automatically become a YouTube partner. Starting in mid-January 2023, you’ll have the option to apply to join the program through the Monetization tab in YouTube Studio if your channel meets the eligibility requirement and abides by all applicable YouTube channel monetization policies.

If I’m already in YPP and have Shorts, will they start to automatically monetize?

Not automatically. If you’re already monetizing and have Shorts on your channel, you’ll be eligible to share in ad revenue as outlined above after signing the applicable agreement. 

Monetize content with music

We’re gradually rolling out Creator Music to U.S. creators in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), then plan to expand to YPP creators outside the U.S.

Creator Music is a large and growing catalog of tracks that creators can use in their long-form videos without losing out on monetization. Creator Music gives creators a new option to use music and earn revenue, while also giving artists and music rights holders a new way to earn on YouTube. Keep in mind that Creator Music is not necessary for Shorts – for Shorts, creators can use music or audio from the Sound Library and earn revenue.

Use tracks from Creator Music

Creator Music lives in YouTube Studio where you can search and preview your favorite tracks, and see how they can be used in your video. For each track, you may see the following usage options:

  1. Get a license: Pay an upfront fee (or no fee for some tracks) to use music in your monetizing videos. Earn the same revenue share that applies to your monetizing videos without music.
  2. Share revenue: Pay no upfront fee and split video revenue with the track’s rights holders.

Usage options can differ on a track-by-track basis. Note that you may see some tracks that aren’t available for licensing or revenue sharing. If you choose to use one of those tracks, your video could get a Content ID claim or a copyright takedown.

Why is Creator Music limited to users in the United States?

We’re currently testing Creator Music with a smaller group so we can quickly make improvements to ensure the best possible user experience  before it’s shared with everyone.

What happens if I use a Creator Music track without buying a license for it?

Some content may be eligible for revenue sharing, even if you don’t purchase a license upfront, as long as it meets the revenue sharing usage requirements. This allows you to share the video’s revenue with the track’s rights holders. You’ll be able to see in Creator Music if a track is eligible for revenue sharing.

If you decide not to buy a license for a track that isn't eligible to share revenue, your video could get a Content ID claim or a copyright takedown.

More info

Want to know more? Check out these resources:

  • Community Forum
  • Creator Video
  • Official Blog

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Can you get monetized on YouTube without 1000 subscribers?

With the rise of online coaches and consulting programs, creating a high-ticket coaching program is a great way to monetize your channel with less than 1,000 subscribers. Most high-ticket programs often offer a course combined with one-on-one or group coaching.

How can I monetize my YouTube channel for free?

Turn on Super Thanks for your channel.
On a computer, sign in to YouTube Studio..
In the left menu, click Monetization..
Click the Supers tab. ... .
Click Get started and follow the on-screen instructions..
Once you've completed all the instructions, “Super Thanks” will surface, next to a switch you can turn on or off..

What happens if I do not get 4000 watch hours and 1000 subscribers in 1 year on YouTube?

In order to monetize your channel you must have 1000 subscribers plus 4000 public watch hours in the last 12 months. You don't have to achieve that in the first 12 months of your channel, it is a continuous target. If you don't reach the target nothing will happen except that you won't be able to monetize.

How do you get YouTube to monetize faster?

How Can I Monetize YouTube?.
First Things First: AdSense. ... .
Fill Your Funnels. ... .
Affiliate Marketing. ... .
Monetize YouTube with Brand Sponsors. ... .
Monetize Your Channel with Community Sponsors. ... .
Become an Amazon Influencer. ... .
Benefit from YouTube Premium Subscribers. ... .
Sell Merch..