YouTube channel producers, distributors and content creators have become a powerful industry, generating millions in advertising sales globally and driving meaningful revenue. However, many undervalue their channel by failing to properly monetize their content on YouTube.

When it comes to monetizing video, YouTube has fewer restrictions than other streaming platforms. Currently, every video uploaded to YouTube automatically undergoes an ad suitability review Adam Rumanek according to YouTube’s guidelines, and creators receive a green, yellow or red dollar-sign icon to indicate whether their content is eligible for all, some or no ads.

It’s important to understand the distinction between YouTube video views and ad views when thinking about potential earnings. The first thing to understand is how YouTube’s payment system operates. YouTube pays channel owners through its Partner Program. This program enables creators to monetize their content by sharing revenue from ads displayed on their videos.

The eligibility criteria for fan funding and the eligibility for monetization with advertisements is different. Fan funding is a feature that allows viewers to make voluntary donations to support their favourite channels. For access to fan-funding features such as Super Thanks and memberships, a channel must meet the following requirements: 500 subscribers, three public uploads within the last 90 days, and either 3,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in the past 90 days. For full monetization, including advertisements and fan funding, the criteria are 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days.

Let’s explore actionable strategies and YouTube monetization best practices that channel owners and content creators can use to turn the tide in their favour.

There are automated systems (such as Aux Mode’s) that simplify the revenue reporting process on streaming platforms, offering clear and concise monthly reports by region. This eliminates the need for manual tracking and spreadsheets, providing a straightforward overview of revenue generated in regions where you own the intellectual property.

Understanding YouTube’s monetization measurement is crucial, although predicting the exact earnings per view is challenging due to the platform’s complex algorithm. Key metrics that influence revenue include views, which indicate how many times a video is seen (distinguishing between Premium and other users); watch time, which measures the total minutes a video is watched across a channel; specific videos; and playbacks. Furthermore, user engagement—including comments, likes, subscribers, shares, lost subscribers, dislikes, and additions to playlists and favourites—also plays a vital role.

In addition to these core metrics, YouTube’s monetization system also considers playlists, annotations, end screens, live streams, audience retention, channel memberships, estimated revenue and ad performance when determining the channel’s health.

Adam Rumanek is founder and CEO of Aux Mode, a digital rights management company, specializing in content monetization, protection and revenue reporting for content creators, studios and distributors on platforms like YouTube and other streaming services.

Best Practices for optimizing content on Youtube

The guidelines below outline key areas to enhance visibility, engagement and monetization for your video content.

Optimize metadata and thumbnails Enhance discoverability and click-through rates by using clear titles, detailed descriptions, relevant tags and high-quality, custom-designed thumbnails.	Engagement and community Foster a strong community by engaging with comments, utilizing the Community tab for updates and polls, considering livestream events, and moderating comment sections to maintain a brand-safe environment.	Leverage YouTube features Utilize features like YouTube Shorts for promotion, premieres to build anticipation, end screens and cards to drive further views, and YouTube Analytics for ongoing performance improvement.
Promote across channels Expand reach through cross-promotion on social media platforms, encouraging cast and crew amplification and collaborating with influencers or fan channels.	Content strategy and programming Diversify content formats to include full episodes, clips, behind-the-scenes footage and more. Maintain a consistent upload schedule and organize videos into playlists for improved navigation and watch time.	Monetization and rights management Leverage YouTube’s Content ID to automatically detect and monetize your content. Explore various monetization options such as ads, channel memberships and a merch shelf. Implement global rights management and strategically claim user uploads.
AI dubs and global reach Provide accurate subtitles and closed captions, consider multi- language channels for global content, and carefully manage territory controls in line with licensing agreements.	Protect your brand Regularly monitor for trademark and copyright infringement, report fake channels, and ensure consistent use of branding assets like logos and watermarks.	Experiment and iterate Continuously test new formats, thumbnails and video lengths. Use A/B testing tools to compare divergent tactics, and learn from analytics such as watch time, retention and click-through rates to refine your strategy.