How to make money on YouTube: ads, Super Chat and donations

YouTube pays creators through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), but you do not have to wait for ad revenue to start earning. Here is how each source works, which thresholds apply and what you keep.

1. Ad revenue

Ads on your videos and live streams earn you a share of the revenue. YouTube requires 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months, or 10 million valid Shorts views in 90 days. How much you earn depends on your topic, your viewers' country and watch time.

2. Fan funding: Super Chat, Super Thanks and memberships

The expanded Partner Program opens fan funding from 500 subscribers, plus three public uploads in 90 days and 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days. With Super Chat, viewers pay to highlight their message in live chat; YouTube pays you 70% after taxes and app store fees. YouTube Studio shows under Earn whether this is available in your country.

3. Sponsors and affiliate links

Integrations in your videos are the biggest source for many YouTubers. Brands look at your niche, watch time and audience engagement. Affiliate links in your description earn a commission per sale.

4. Direct donations through your own link

A donation link works from your first video, with no subscriber or watch-hour threshold. Put it in your description and in a pinned chat message during your live stream. With DonoLink, every donation shows up as an alert on stream through OBS. DonoLink charges 3.5% per successful donation; Stripe charges processing costs separately. Super Chat and your own donation link work fine side by side. More in receiving YouTube donations during a live stream.

5. Your own products

Merchandise, courses or exclusive content carry the highest margin but need the most preparation. Start when your audience asks for it.

Calculate per source

Track the gross and net amount for each source every month and set money aside for tax: YouTube income is usually taxable. Worked examples are in the streamer income guide, current fees on the pricing page.

Get started

1. Create a free donation page.
2. Add the link to your channel description, video descriptions and a pinned chat message.
3. Add an OBS donation alert for your live streams.
4. Check under Earn in YouTube Studio how close you are to the Partner Program.

Create your free donation page and add it below your videos today.