IncomeWiki

Revision 2

YouTube

@namkyu · Aug 21, 2026, 10:25 AM

Add YouTube monetization requirements, revenue shares, minimum entry setup, editing tools, and 2027 YPP changes.
+9,869−8,722
1YouTube creators can earn from advertising, YouTube Premium, channel memberships, viewer payments, sponsorships, affiliate sales, and products or services. Advertising revenue requires entry into the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), while external revenue such as sponsorships or affiliate sales can operate separately.
1# YouTube Channel
22
3A YouTube channel can earn through advertising, YouTube Premium, memberships, viewer payments, Shopping, sponsorships, affiliate links, and products or services.
4
53## Quick Facts
64
75
6| Item | Details |
7| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
8| Main revenue | Ads, YouTube Premium, memberships, Supers, sponsorships, affiliate/products |
9| Full ad-revenue eligibility | 1,000 subscribers + 4,000 qualified public watch hours in 12 months OR 10M qualified Shorts views in 90 days |
10| Watch-page ad share | 55% of applicable net revenue |
11| Shorts ad share | 45% of allocated Creator Pool revenue |
12| Memberships / Supers share | 70% of applicable net revenue |
13| Cheapest recording option | Existing compatible smartphone |
14| Free professional editor | \[DaVinci Resolve\](DaVinci Resolve) |
8| Item | Details |
9| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
10| Main revenue | Ads, Premium, memberships, sponsorships, affiliate/products |
11| Current ad-revenue threshold | 1,000 subscribers + 4,000 qualified watch hours in 12 months OR 10M qualified Shorts views in 90 days |
12| Watch-page ad share | Creator receives 55% of net revenue |
13| Shorts ad share | Creator receives 45% of allocated Creator Pool revenue |
14| Memberships / Supers share | Creator receives 70% of net revenue |
15| Major required equipment | A device capable of recording video; dedicated camera is not required |
16| Editing | Free and paid options available |
1715
1816
19YouTube has announced higher advertising/Premium entry thresholds for **February 1, 2027**: 1,000 subscribers plus 8,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days or 20M qualified Shorts views in 90 days.
20
2117## Minimum Entry Setup
2218
19A dedicated camera is not required to begin. Someone who already owns a capable smartphone and computer can start without purchasing professional recording equipment.
23A dedicated camera is not necessary to start. Beginner equipment guides commonly recommend starting with a recent smartphone before buying a separate camera.
2420
2521
22| Requirement | Minimum option | Cost | Priority | Notes |
23| ---------------- | ------------------------------------ | -------------: | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- |
24| Recording | Existing smartphone | $0 additional | Essential | Dedicated camera can be added later |
25| Video editing | \[DaVinci Resolve\](DaVinci Resolve) | Free | Essential | Desktop editor for Windows, macOS and Linux |
26| Thumbnail/design | Canva | US$0 | Recommended | Free plan available |
27| Microphone | Existing phone microphone | $0 additional | Optional | Upgrade when audio becomes limiting |
28| Lighting | Existing/natural light | $0 additional | Optional | Dedicated lighting is not required to publish |
26| Requirement | Minimum option | Cost | Priority | Notes |
27| ---------------- | ------------------------- | -------------: | ----------- | ------------------------------------------- |
28| Camera | Existing smartphone | $0 additional | Essential | Dedicated camera not required |
29| Editing | DaVinci Resolve | Free | Essential | Full desktop editor |
30| Thumbnail/design | Canva Free | Free | Recommended | Useful for thumbnails |
31| Microphone | Built-in phone microphone | $0 additional | Optional | Upgrade when audio quality becomes limiting |
32| Lighting | Available natural light | $0 additional | Optional | Dedicated lighting can be added later |
3329
3430
31For creators who already own a suitable smartphone and computer, paid editing software and a dedicated camera are not necessary for the initial setup.
35For someone who already owns a compatible smartphone and computer, the basic recording and editing workflow can therefore begin without purchasing a dedicated camera.
3632
3733## How It Makes Money
3834
35### Advertising
36
37Creators accepted into YPP can earn from advertisements shown with their content.
38
39For watch-page advertising, YouTube pays creators **55% of applicable net advertising revenue**.
40
41Shorts use a different system. Advertising revenue is allocated through the Shorts Creator Pool, and creators receive **45% of the revenue allocated to them** based on their share of eligible views.
42
43### Memberships and viewer payments
39**Advertising:** YouTube shares advertising revenue with eligible YPP creators. Watch-page ads pay creators **55% of net advertising revenue**.
4044
45Eligible creators can earn through:
41**Shorts:** Shorts Feed advertising uses the Creator Pool system. Creators receive **45% of the revenue allocated to them**.
4246
47- Channel memberships
48- Super Chat
49- Super Stickers
50- Super Thanks
43**Memberships and viewer payments:** Channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks pay creators **70% of net revenue** under YouTube's Commerce Product Module.
4451
52YouTube pays creators **70% of applicable net revenue** from these features.
45Channels can also earn outside YouTube's standard revenue-sharing system through sponsorships, affiliate links, merchandise, services, courses, software and other products.
4653
54### YouTube Premium
47## Equipment
4855
56Creators can also receive revenue when YouTube Premium subscribers watch their content. Revenue is distributed based on member viewing rather than a fixed payment per view.
49Do not buy a dedicated camera simply because you are starting a YouTube channel. Smartphone-based setups are widely used as beginner configurations, while dedicated cameras are upgrades for workflows that benefit from better optics, interchangeable lenses or more production control.
5057
58### Revenue outside YouTube
51Typical purchase order:
5259
60A channel can also generate revenue through:
5361
62- sponsorships
63- \[Affiliate Marketing\](Affiliate Marketing)
64- merchandise
65- digital products
66- courses
67- consulting or other services
68- software and other creator-owned businesses
54| Priority | Equipment | When to buy |
55| -------------------- | -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
56| Essential | Existing smartphone/camera | Start here |
57| Recommended | Tripod | When filming yourself regularly |
58| Recommended | External microphone | When speech/audio quality matters |
59| Optional | Video light | When natural/room lighting is insufficient |
60| Upgrade | Dedicated camera | When smartphone limitations affect production |
61| Professional upgrade | Additional lenses/audio/lighting | For more demanding production workflows |
6269
70These revenue streams do not use YouTube's standard advertising revenue share.
6371
6472## Software & Tools
6573
6674
75| Tool | Type | Free option | Paid price | Level | Difficulty | Main use |
76| ------------------------------------ | ------------- | -----------: | ------------------------------------------: | ------------------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------ |
77| \[DaVinci Resolve\](DaVinci Resolve) | Video editing | Free | Studio: US$295 one-time | Beginner–Professional | Moderate | Editing, audio, color, effects |
78| Canva | Design | US$0 | Pro: US$144/year | Beginner | Easy | Thumbnails and graphics |
79| \[Adobe Premiere\](Adobe Premiere) | Video editing | No | US$22.99/month, annual plan billed monthly | Intermediate–Professional | Moderate | Video editing |
80
81
82**DaVinci Resolve** is the lowest-cost full desktop editing option in this comparison. Blackmagic Design offers the standard version free, while Resolve Studio costs US$295.
67| Tool | Type | Free option | Level | Difficulty | Main use |
68| --------------- | ------------- | ----------- | ------------------------- | ---------- | ----------------------------- |
69| DaVinci Resolve | Video editing | Yes | Beginner–Professional | Moderate | Editing, audio, color |
70| CapCut | Video editing | Yes | Beginner | Easy | Fast editing and Shorts |
71| Canva | Design | Yes | Beginner | Easy | Thumbnails and graphics |
72| Adobe Premiere | Video editing | No | Intermediate–Professional | Moderate | Professional editing workflow |
7383
84**Adobe Premiere** is subscription-based. Adobe lists the individual Premiere plan at US$22.99/month under an annual commitment billed monthly.
7485
86Paid editing software is therefore an upgrade rather than a requirement for starting a channel.
75A beginner does not need paid editing software to publish videos.
7687
7788## Requirements
7889
90### Full advertising and Premium revenue sharing
91
92As of August 2026, new creators can qualify through either route:
93
94**Long-form**
79For current full advertising and YouTube Premium revenue sharing, a new creator needs:
8095
96- 1,000 subscribers
97- 4,000 qualified public watch hours during the previous 12 months
81- **1,000 subscribers**, and
82- **4,000 qualified public watch hours during the previous 12 months**, or
83- **10 million qualified Shorts views during the previous 90 days**.
8498
99**Shorts**
85The channel must also follow YouTube monetization policies, have no active Community Guidelines strikes, use Google Account 2-Step Verification, have advanced features access, and connect an AdSense for YouTube account.
86100
101- 1,000 subscribers
102- 10 million qualified public Shorts views during the previous 90 days
87Reaching the numerical threshold does not automatically guarantee approval; YouTube reviews the channel.
88103
104Watch time generated through the Shorts Feed does not count toward the 4,000-hour long-form requirement.
89### Earlier YPP Access
90105
106Channels must also comply with YouTube monetization policies, have no active Community Guidelines strikes, enable 2-Step Verification, have advanced features access, and link an active AdSense for YouTube account.
91In eligible regions, some monetization features become available earlier at:
92107
108Reaching the numerical threshold leads to a channel review rather than automatic YPP approval.
93- **500 subscribers**
94- **3 public uploads in 90 days**
95- **3,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days OR 3M qualified Shorts views in 90 days**
96109
110### Earlier YPP access
97This can provide access to eligible fan-funding and Shopping features before full advertising eligibility.
98111
112In countries where the expanded YPP is available, creators can access eligible fan-funding and Shopping features earlier with:
99## Key Numbers
100113
114- 500 subscribers
115- 3 valid public uploads in the previous 90 days
116- 3,000 valid public watch hours in the previous 12 months **or**
117- 3 million valid public Shorts views in the previous 90 days
101118
119This tier does not provide the full advertising revenue sharing available at the higher threshold.
102| Metric | Current rule |
103| ---------------------------------- | ------------------------: |
104| Full YPP subscribers | 1,000 |
105| Long-form watch threshold | 4,000 hours / 12 months |
106| Shorts threshold | 10M views / 90 days |
107| Watch-page ad creator share | 55% |
108| Shorts creator share | 45% of allocated revenue |
109| Memberships / Supers creator share | 70% of net revenue |
110120
121## 2027 YPP Changes
111122
123YouTube has announced higher entry requirements for new creators beginning **February 1, 2027**.
112### February 2027 Change
113124
114For new applicants from **February 1, 2027**:
115125
126| Requirement | Through Jan. 31, 2027 | From Feb. 1, 2027 |
127| --------------------- | ---------------------: | -----------------: |
128| Subscribers | 1,000 | 1,000 |
129| Long-form watch hours | 4,000 / 12 months | 8,000 / 365 days |
130| Shorts views | 10M / 90 days | 20M / 90 days |
116131
117| Metric | New threshold |
118| ---------------------- | ----------------: |
119| Subscribers | 1,000 |
120| Qualified watch hours | 8,000 / 365 days |
121| Qualified Shorts views | 20M / 90 days |
122132
133The new entry thresholds apply to new applicants. Existing YPP creators will not lose long-form advertising access solely because they fall below the new entry thresholds.
123134
135YouTube is also changing Shorts monetization rules in 2027, including ongoing Shorts-view requirements for Creator Pool advertising eligibility.
124Creators already in YPP are not removed simply because they do not meet these new entry thresholds.
125136
126137## Risks / Things to Know
127138
139**Platform dependency.** Advertising and platform-based monetization depend on continued YPP eligibility and YouTube's monetization policies.
128**Platform dependency:** Monetization depends on YouTube's eligibility and content policies.
129140
141**Copyright can affect monetization.** Using third-party music, footage, or other copyrighted material can lead to claims or restrict revenue.
130**Copyright:** Music, footage and other copyrighted material can trigger claims or prevent normal monetization.
131142
143**Views do not have a fixed official payout.** The 55% advertising revenue share does not mean that every 1,000 views generates the same amount of money. Advertiser demand, audience, geography, content and monetized playback affect the economics.
132**Revenue is not fixed per view:** YouTube does not guarantee a particular payment amount. A universal "$X per 1,000 views" should not be treated as an official payout rate.
133144
145**Professional equipment is not required to start.** A dedicated camera, paid editing software and studio lighting should generally be treated as upgrades when the existing setup creates a practical limitation.
134**Equipment overspending:** A dedicated camera, expensive lighting and professional editing software are not prerequisites for starting. Upgrade when the existing setup creates an identifiable limitation.
135146
136147## Sources
137148
149**YouTube Help — YouTube Partner Program overview & eligibility**
150Current YPP eligibility requirements, account requirements and review process.
138**YouTube Help — YouTube Partner Program overview & eligibility**
139Current YPP requirements and application rules.
140151[https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72851](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72851)
141152
153**YouTube Help — Overview of the expanded YouTube Partner Program**
154500-subscriber early-access requirements for eligible fan-funding and Shopping features.
155[https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/13429240](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/13429240)
156
157**YouTube Help — YouTube partner earnings overview**
158Official 55% watch-page, 45% Shorts and 70% Commerce Product revenue shares.
142**YouTube Help — YouTube partner earnings overview**
143Official revenue shares for advertising, Shorts and fan funding.
144159[https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72902](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72902)
145160
161**YouTube Help — Changes to the YouTube Partner Program**
162Announced February 1, 2027 YPP eligibility and monetization changes.
146**YouTube Help — Changes to the YouTube Partner Program**
147February 2027 YPP threshold changes.
148163[https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/12843009](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/12843009)
164
165**Blackmagic Design — DaVinci Resolve**
166Current DaVinci Resolve Free and DaVinci Resolve Studio US$295 pricing.
167[https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve](https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve)
168
169**Adobe — Premiere Plans**
170Current U.S. individual Premiere pricing of US$22.99/month under an annual plan billed monthly.
171[https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/plans.html](https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/plans.html)
172
173**Canva — Plans and Pricing**
174Current U.S. Canva Free and Canva Pro pricing.
175[https://www.canva.com/pricing/](https://www.canva.com/pricing/)