Making money on YouTube is highly lucrative. It is a business model I will advise anybody to go into. However, it is important to note that making money on YouTube isn't as easy as many people think. It is not a quick-rich scheme. It takes all the perseverance and patience you can ever give before you can make something worthwhile on YouTube. The monetization process isn't child's play. There are some processes you must meet before you can monetize your page.
After meeting the monetization criteria, you will now face another set of journeys. You will now need to upload regularly, setting your topics and ensuring your thumbnail has all the keywords that will help your article to rank. In fact, don't let me share all the vital information here. If you are really serious about making money on YouTube, kindly ensure you read this article to the end because we will be sharing some powerful strategies with you that can never be found anywhere else.
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8 best ways to make money on YouTube in 2026
Understanding YouTube monetization is key if you’re new to making videos. Start by checking out our easy guide on how to create a YouTube video. Making good, interesting videos and setting up your channel right is key to success. After that, you can think about making money from your videos. To start earning, it is important that you reach 1,000 subscribers and have people watch your videos for at least 4,000 hours in one year. To do this, make videos your audience likes and wants to keep watching (our guide can help!). Once you reach this, you can join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and link an AdSense account to earn money from ads shown on your videos. Ads are a main way to earn on YouTube.
As your channel grows, you can also make money by working with brands, making sponsored videos, getting paid during live chats, selling content licenses, or earning from YouTube Premium viewers. Joining YPP also gives you copyright protection, help from YouTube, and access to many ways to earn. These benefits support and protect your video-making journey.
1. YouTube ads
- Monetization type: Ads on videos, Shorts, and live streams
- Pros: Passive income once set up, scales with views, no extra work needed
- Cons: Low RPM ($0.01–$0.03 per view), depends on ad blockers/audience location, strict ad-friendly rules
YouTube ads are a great way to make money. You earn when people watch or click on ads in your videos. Longer videos or videos with ads at different times can bring in more money. Ads can play before, during, or after your video, so even short videos can earn from ads. Try different video ideas to see what your audience likes more views mean more ads and money.
To start, go to YouTube Studio, click the “Earn” tab, and apply for the YouTube Partner Program. Once approved, connect your channel to an AdSense account. When AdSense approves you, ads will run on your videos, and you can start earning. Setting up AdSense is easy and important to make money on YouTube.
2. Channel memberships and subscriptions
- Monetization type: Monthly fan payments for perks
- Pros: Recurring revenue, builds a loyal community, customizable benefits
- Cons: Needs engaged fans, requires ongoing exclusive content, and YouTube takes 30% cut
Channel memberships let your viewers pay a monthly fee to become members and get exclusive benefits. It’s a bit like having your own Patreon. For instance, YouTuber Andru Edwards gives his members special access to Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes clips, shout-outs, and exclusive discounts. You can decide what perks to offer. Just make sure what you give matches the price so members feel it’s a good deal. Ideas include member-only videos, special offers, live streams, and chat access. There are plenty of choices.
3. Affiliate marketing
- Monetization type: Commissions from product links/sales
- Pros: Earn without inventory, fits any niche, unlimited potential
- Cons: Needs disclosure, audience trust key, variable commissions (1–20%)
Affiliate marketing is a way for creators and viewers to help each other. Creators share products or services they like, and if viewers buy through their special link, the creator earns some money. When a YouTuber joins an affiliate program, they get a unique link for each product. They can put these links on the screen, in the video description, or in the comments. If someone clicks the link and buys the product, the creator earns a commission.
This lets creators support brands they believe in and offer good deals to their audience. To make affiliate marketing work, you need to really understand your viewers. You don’t want to promote things they wouldn’t use or like. Stick to products that fit your content and audience interests. For example, if you make woodworking videos, it wouldn’t make sense to promote trampolines. Be careful and only share products that truly match your audience’s needs. This keeps your recommendations honest and helps your viewers trust you.
4. Selling merchandise
- Monetization type: Branded products via YouTube shelf
- Pros: Builds brand loyalty, high margins, integrates with videos
- Cons: Upfront design costs, inventory risks, and requires a large audience
Selling merchandise is another way to make money on YouTube by offering products to your viewers. You need to pick a merchandise platform that YouTube allows. In YouTube Studio, go to the “Earn” tab to link your store to your channel. Then, you choose which products to show on your merchandise shelf. After that, you can start selling and show your products in your videos easily.
5. Partner with brands
- Monetization type: Sponsored videos/deals
- Pros: High one-time payouts, free products, and grows authority
- Cons: Disclosure required, audience fatigue if overdone, brand alignment key
YouTube is different from other media because it helps you build a community of people interested in the same things. You can use this to your advantage. You don’t have to work alone; many companies want to work with YouTubers for sponsorships and brand deals to promote their products. Companies want to grow their own audiences, too, so this can be good for both sides. At first, you might need to contact companies you like. But once your channel grows, companies might reach out to you. This is another way to make money on YouTube.
If you want to work with a brand, reach out to them directly. Share your subscriber count, views, and who watches your videos to show why you are a good partner. Remember, they’d be lucky to work with you!
Your email to a brand should include:
- Your number of subscribers and views
- Who your audience is
- Any special achievements or past partnerships
- Ideas for how you can work together
- How does this help the brand
- What you want to do, like a product review or giveaway
- Ask to set up a call or meeting to talk more
Not every company will agree, and that’s okay. Don’t worry about rejection—just try. You might be surprised by what happens when you reach out.
6. Crowdfunding & fan funding
- Monetization type: Donations via Patreon/Kickstarter
- Pros: Direct fan support, funds projects, builds community
- Cons: Needs a strong pitch, variable income, and reward fulfillment
Crowdfunding and fan funding mean getting money from your viewers to support your work. Patreon is a popular site where fans pay a monthly fee to get special rewards from creators. Kickstarter is another platform where creators ask for money for a specific project, like making a new video series or buying equipment. If enough people give money to reach the goal, backers get rewards based on how much they donate.
To get people to donate, tell a good story about why you need the money and how it helps your viewers. Offer rewards they will like, such as special content, fun experiences, or shoutouts. This is a lot like channel memberships on YouTube.
7. YouTube Shorts
- Monetization type: Ads on short videos
- Pros: Quick to create, viral potential, lower barriers (500 subs option)
- Cons: Lower RPM than long-form, short attention spans, and algorithm changes
YouTube is not just for long videos anymore. Short videos, called YouTube Shorts, are very popular and uploaded every day. You can earn money from these Shorts with ads, just like with longer videos. This started from the Shorts Fund, but now it’s part of regular ads.
The good news is you don’t have to make new videos. You can use clips from your longer videos. For example, if you have long car repair tutorials, take one quick tip from those and turn it into a Short. You can use simple software like Camtasia to cut and add captions. You can also make a short version of a bigger video and tell viewers to watch the full video on your channel. This way, you make more money using the same content, and Shorts help you reach more people easily.
8. License your content to the media
- Monetization type: Sell viral video rights
- Pros: One-time big payout, passive after viral
- Cons: Rare opportunity, need viral hit, rights loss
If you make a video that becomes very popular, you can sell the rights to use it and earn money. TV shows, news sites, and other creators might ask to use your video if it goes viral. You can also put your videos up for sale on websites like Jukin Media, where more people can find and buy them.
How we chose the best ways to make money on YouTube
We evaluated these monetization methods based on several key factors to ensure they are practical and effective for creators in 2026. Our criteria include:
- Earning potential: Methods with high or scalable income, like ads or memberships, ranked higher.
- Ease for beginners: We prioritized options with low barriers, such as Shorts or affiliate links.
- Audience engagement: Ways that build loyalty, like memberships, were favored.
- Platform rules: All comply with YouTube's policies, with no scams or shortcuts.
- Sustainability: Long-term viability, avoiding one-off trends.
How do YouTubers maximize their revenue?
YouTube channels don't need millions of subscribers to make money. How much you earn depends on how engaged your viewers are, the topics you cover, and the ways you choose to bring in revenue. Looking at top earners might make you think they all get rich just from ads on YouTube. But many of these channels also sell their own merchandise. They first grew their audience, then added other revenue streams. If you want to make money on YouTube, start by really understanding your target audience. Once you know who they are and what they like, you can create content, and later, products, that feel true to you and excite your fans.
What are some tips for selling on YouTube?
- Understand your audience on YouTube: Know demographics like age, gender, location, and engagement.
- Add info cards to your videos: Use pop-ups for promotions without interrupting the flow.
- Add links in your video descriptions: Direct viewers to stores or affiliate sites.
- Promote your offer on other platforms: Share on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
- Turn views into revenue with YouTube monetization: Diversify beyond ads.
Best ways to make money on YouTube FAQ
This section answers common questions about monetizing on YouTube in 2026.
What are the YouTube monetization requirements?
- Country Eligibility: Your country must be among the 120 eligible for YouTube Monetization.
- Content Quality & Originality: Content must be original, advertiser-friendly, and plagiarism-free.
- Community Guidelines: Follow rules strictly; three strikes can remove your channel.
- Link AdSense Account
- Connect for payouts; setup takes ~10 minutes.
- Two-Factor Authentication: Required for security.
- Subscribers and Watch Time: 1,000 subs + 4,000 hours in 12 months, or 1,000 subs + 10 million Shorts views in 90 days.
We also considered real creator feedback from Reddit and YouTube stats to focus on proven strategies. Always check for updates, as rules can change.
Conclusion
With a smart plan for making money on YouTube, creators can turn their passion into a full-time job and get paid for all the effort it takes to beat the algorithm. For many, the real challenge isn't growing an audience; it's picking a way to earn that lasts over time. Depending only on YouTube's options can be risky because they sometimes stop paying creators too easily. Selling your own products, making digital items, or promoting brands you like isn't just extra cash; it's a way to protect yourself and build a business based on your fans, not YouTube's rules.