YouTube income: Video monetisation policy explained, earn money with just 500 subscribers

YouTube is bringing some changes to its monetisation policy by expanding the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) to more creators. The video-sharing platform has planned to ease the eligibility criteria for the monetisation of a YouTube channel.  Now, even creators with just 500 subscribers and a total of 3,000 watch hours will be able to earn through content on their channel.

YouTube recently announced that it is expanding the YouTube Partner Program in some countries and the changes will be effective from mid-June 2023. For now, the expansion has been introduced for creators in the UK, US, Taiwan, South Korea, and Canada. Indian YouTube creators will not benefit from the latest changes.

What are the changes?

According to YouTube, expanding the YPP program will give more creators access to YouTube resources like monetisation features. It will allow more YouTubers to generate revenue through advertisements served on their content.

Currently, YouTube creators need at least 1,000 subscribers along with either a minimum of 4,000 valid watch hours in the last 12 months on their long-form videos or ten million valid public Short views in the last 90 days to be eligible for the YPP Program. 

According to the new eligibility criteria under the YPP programme, creators will require minimum 500 subscribers on their channel and 3,000 valid public watch hours on long-form videos in the last one year or three million valid Shorts views in the last 90 days.

Once a YouTube channel meets the eligibility criteria, the creator will get access to fan funding and select shopping features offered by YouTube. Creators can use the ‘Get notified’ option in the ‘Earn’ area of YouTube to know when they are eligible for the YPP program. YouTube will notify the same through an email to the creator.

How to join the YPP program?

If your channel has the required watch hours and subscribers then you can apply for the YPP program. Below are the steps to sign up for the YPP program and start earning through your content on YouTube.

Step 1:  Sign in to YouTube and click on your profile picture.

Step 2: Select YouTube Studio and click on ‘Earn’.

Step 3: Select ‘Apply’ and click ‘Start’ to begin.

Step 4: Accept the terms and set up an AdSense account or link if you already have one.

Step 5: YouTube will review your application and inform you when your channel gets monetized. It usually takes around a month.