Becoming a YouTube Partner: Requirements, Benefits and Tips

So you want to turn your passion for creating YouTube videos into a money making endeavor? Welcome to the club! Joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) allows creators to monetize content through ads, paid channel memberships and more. But getting approved isn‘t as simple as clicking a button.

YouTube has specific standards and thresholds channels must meet first. This ensures Partners have established audiences and understand content policies. Once approved however, there are plenty of perks.

This article breaks down everything you need to know:

• YouTube Partner Program Basics
• Benefits of Joining
• Requirements & Eligibility
• Step-by-Step Application Guide
• Tips for Meeting Subscriber & Watch Time Goals
• Additional Money Making Opportunities

Let‘s start with the basics!

What is the YouTube Partner Program?

The YouTube Partner Program(YPP) allows creators to earn money from their content. By becoming a Partner, you can monetize videos through advertisements, paid channel memberships, SuperChat, and merchandise shelves.

Revenue from ads served on your videos is shared between you and YouTube. Typically, Partners receive 55% of ad earnings.

To ensure quality content and established audiences, channels must meet eligibility requirements first. Once approved, Partners gain access to monetization tools and additional opportunities.

It‘s a rewarding system, but does require hard work on the creator side to find success.

Key Benefits of Joining the YouTube Partner Program

Here are some of the main perks unlocked by becoming a YouTube Partner:

1. Video Monetization

The ability to monetize videos with ads is the core benefit of joining YPP. This provides a revenue stream based on video performance and viewership.

Ad formats include:

• Skippable/non-skippable pre-roll and mid-roll ads
• Overlay ads
• Sponsored cards
• And more

YouTube‘s ad algorithms target relevant promotions to viewers, helping increase earnings.

2. Channel Memberships

Fans can pay a monthly fee to get unique badges, emoji, live streams and perks. This gives fans more ways to engage while adding a secondary income stream.

3. SuperChat & SuperStickers

These features allow fans to highlight live stream comments and questions with paid contributions. Partners keep 70% of SuperChat and SuperSticker revenue after processing fees.

4. Merchandise Shelves

Partners can showcase branded merchandise on eligible videos and live streams. Fans can shop products without leaving YouTube, making selling simpler.

5. Resources & Development Programs

YouTube provides Partners access to creator resources like video analytics, workshops, beta features and more. These tools help optimize content to attract more viewers.

6. Channel Customization

Get access to channel customization perks like custom thumbnails, branded content, end screens, watermarks and unique channel layouts.

Stand out from regular channels with a polished look.

7. More Discoverability

YouTube features videos from Partners in search results and recommendations more prominently. This puts your content in front of fresh viewers.

Becoming a Partner signals to YouTube that a channel understands community guidelines and produces quality videos. Combined with custom branding, this helps videos stand out better in crowded niches.

YouTube Partner Program Requirements

In the early days of YouTube, creators could apply for partnerships more freely. Unfortunately, the vetting process led to major issues around copyright, fragmented audiences and unpredictable earnings.

Today, YouTube rigorously vets channels to ensure Partners add value. Requirements span:

• Content quality
• Audience size
• Adherence to policy
• Legal eligibility

Let‘s break these down in detail:

Subscriber Count

As of 2023, channels need 1,000 subscribers to qualify for YPP. YouTube used to require 10,000 subscribers to join.

This ensures creators have an established audience interested in their content before monetizing.

Tips to getting more subscribers:

• Optimize titles, descriptions and tags to target search
• Promote smartly on social media
• Engage viewers in comments and community posts
• Offer value and incentives for subscribing in videos

Public Watch Time

Along with subscribers, channels need 4,000 public watch hours over the last 12 months. Only views from non-subscribers count toward this goal.

YouTube analyzes watch time to gauge audience retention and interest. Achieving this threshold demonstrates consistent viewers are engaging with uploads.

Tips for increasing watch time:

• Hook viewers in the first 30 seconds
• Create search-optimized titles & tags
• Encourage binge viewing with effective end screens & playlists
• Make longer, more in-depth content
• Crowdsource ideas from your audience

Content Adherence

All monetized videos must comply with YouTube‘s Community Guidelines and Partner Program policies.

Controversial or inappropriate content jeopardizes monetization eligibility. Quality guidelines span technical issues, nudity, harassment, regulated goods, misleading metadata and more.

YouTube may also demonetize channels focused on sensitive events or topics like natural disasters, conflicts and tragedies. This minimizes potential monetization abuse.

Channel Ownership

To prevent fraud, channels must be:

• Managed by the creator themselves
• NOT linked to a multi-channel network (MCN)
• Based in an approved country

YouTube monitors watch time patterns and channel behavior to detect suspicious activity. Signs can include excessive cross-promotion, uploads focused on revenue over quality or other inauthentic behavior. Don‘t take shortcuts!

Link to AdSense

An approved Google AdSense account is required to collect earnings from YouTube. Make sure to set this up early and carefully follow application steps.

Invalid or incomplete AdSense applications are common reasons for YPP rejection.

Step-By-Step Guide to Joining the YouTube Partner Program

Ready to submit your channel for review? Here is the play-by-play application guide:

Step 1) Access your Channel Settings from the profile dropdown

Step 2) Look under the "Status & Features" tab

Step 3) Toggle the slider for "Allow my channel to be in the YouTube partner program" and agree to TOS

Step 4) Click "Get Started" if you meet thresholds or "Learn More" If not

Step 5) YouTube will review channel eligibility against YPP criteria

Step 6) Add payment information through Google AdSense

Step 7) Monitor channel dashboard for application status

Step 8) Once approved, enable video monetization individually or in bulk

And you‘re done! With some patience, creators can unlock all the benefits of partnership.

Some tips for the review phase:

• The full vetting process can take about a month
• Temporarily make videos public to help reviews assess strengths
• Check the dashboard regularly under Channel Settings > Monetization
• Request additional reviews if denied – restrictions aren‘t always permanent

Over 98% of creators re-approved after initial rejection end up joining YPP. Persistence pays off!

What If You Don‘t Meet Thresholds?

Don‘t panic if your channel falls below 1,000 subscribers or 4,000 watch hours. Here are some top tips to push past obstacles:

Promote Outside of YouTube

Leverage social media, guest appearances, and interviews to showcase content beyond YouTube. Cross-promotion expands reach quickly when starting out.

Study Your Performance Metrics

Analytics provide the roadmap to success on YouTube. Find ways to enhance impressions, clicks and viewer retention through testing and optimization.

Engage Your Audience

Build loyalty and authority by consistently engaging subscribers, responding to comments/feedback and participating in your niche community outside of YouTube comments.

Improve Production Quality

Better storytelling, editing tricks, gear investments gradually enhance production level over time. This helps hold viewer attention.

Collaborate with Similar Creators

Strategic collaborations introduce each other‘s audiences to new content. But partner selectively with channels close in size for optimal mutual benefit.

With some hustle and smart tactics, creators can hit subscriber and watch time requirements responsibly. Maintaining thresholds is also essential long-term.

Alternative YouTube Monetization If You Don‘t Qualify for YPP

Even if you aren’t eligible for partnerships, that doesn’t 100% close the door on profiting. With hard work and hustle, smaller channels can also earn through:

• Affiliate marketing
• Fan funding platforms
• Selling custom merchandise
• Product sponsorships
• Crowdfunding special projects
• Licensing footage through stock sites

Many influencers leverage these income streams simultaneously while slowly working toward meeting partner thresholds.

Diversified income gives flexibility if ad rates decline or YouTube platform rules change.

Final Thoughts on Joining the YouTube Partner Program

Becoming a YouTube Partner opens doors for creators to profit consistently from content they love making. But it does require commitment to reach initial benchmarks and produce videos responsibly long-term.

While the vetting process ensures quality control for YouTube and advertisers, it can feel discouraging. Persistence combined with optimization tips are key for ambitious up and comers hungry for partnership status.

Remember that comparisons are the enemy of joy. Focus on your own growth rather than what peers are achieving to stay motivated as you build your channel. Consistency and gradually leveling up production pays off over time.

So invest in your channel community, study analytics and keep striving toward milestones. All that hard work gives the sweet payoff of doing what you love as a career.

Have any other questions on getting approved for YouTube partnerships or growing your channel in general? Sound off in the comments!