How to Monetize YouTube Content | A Step-by-step Guide

The biggest question for any creator out there is, how do I monetize YouTube content on my channel? And how would I achieve that while I promote my business and make cash at the same time? Monetize YouTube Content is the term YouTube uses for its official program that allows its users to make money from the clips they upload.

YouTube has strict criteria for which clips are eligible to make money. And for those who are eligible, the uploader can share in revenue from advertisements. Including those shown before, during, or even alongside the clip.

Each feature has its own set of eligibility requirements on top of subscriber and view count requirements. In fact, if YouTube reviewers believe that your channel or video is not eligible, you may not be able to turn a specific feature on. These extra thresholds exist for 2 main reasons:

The most important one is that you have to meet legal requirements in every area where the feature is available. Then again, because YouTube wants to reward good creators, it needs to make sure you have enough context on your channel — which generally means it needs more content to look at.

Requirements to Monetize YouTube Content

Always keep in mind that each feature has its own requirements. Some features may not be available to you due to local legal requirements. But, once you’ve been accepted in the YouTube Partner Program, you may get access to these monetization features:

Once you’ve been accepted in the YouTube Partner Program, you may get access to these monetization features:

How YouTube Monetization Earnings work

YouTube doesn’t publicly reveal how much it pays people who have uploaded a video. The YouTube content media report suggests it isn’t simply a matter of how many people watch a clip. Or even how attractive the subject of the clip is to advertisers.

This system means you may struggle to find an ideal balance between the two subjects. Producing a clip that promotes your business and one that attracts advertisers and viewers. All Things D reported in March 2013 that the uploader usually receives 55 percent of the actual ad revenue. And that average payment rates varied from Ksh.250 to Ksh.1000 per 1,000 views.

You must reach a threshold of earnings before you get a payment. For instance, in Kenya, the threshold is Ksh.10000 as of today. As part of continued user support, As of April 6, 2017, channels that had fewer than 10,000 views couldn’t run ads.

YouTube Content Eligibility

For a clip to be eligible for monetization, it must be made up entirely of the content you have created. In addition to your own intellectual property rights. You cannot monetize clips where you have used some original creativity but contain copyrighted content.

Such as uploading new commentary on somebody else’s footage or creating a montage of clips from other sources. YouTube program doesn’t allow you to monetize a clip you have shot yourself. To clarify, which has no audio or video of copyrighted material in the background. May it be from your TV or stereo.

YouTube reserves the right to refuse to let you monetize a clip that has content that is not “advertiser-friendly.” Even if you are allowed to upload the clip in the first place.

How to Monetize YouTube Content effectively

You can submit a video for monetization when you originally upload it by making sure to check the “Monetize my video.” The box on the “Monetization” tab of the uploaders page.

Alternatively, you can locate a video you’ve already uploaded to your channel. Attained through the Video Manager section and then check the “Monetize my video” box under the “Monetization” tab. YouTube will review the clip and will ask you to confirm you own the rights to the content. Providing proof if necessary.

Once you have a clip accepted, you’ll need to link your YouTube account to a Google AdSense account. As soon as you reach a payment threshold, you will receive your payment on the payment cycles. Usually, in Kenya, it is on the 22nd of every month or towards the end of the month. Although the payment reflects through Adsense on the 15th of every month.

What is YouTube AudioSwap? 

YouTube offers a program called AudioSwap by which you can use copyrighted music in a clip. For as long as the rights holder has added the song to the AudioSwap library. When this happens, YouTube adds advertisements to the clip but the revenue goes to the music rights holder, not you.

If you want to make a clip eligible for monetization, you are not allowed to use Audio Swap songs in the clip. You may get a copyright strike on your Channel account. This means that your video has been taken down from YouTube.

This is because a copyright owner sent them a complete and valid legal request asking them to do so. When a copyright owner formally notifies them that you don’t have their permission to post their content on the site, they take down your upload to comply with copyright law.

How to Monetize YouTube Content in Premium & Red 

YouTube announced the rebranding of the service as YouTube Premium on May 17, 2018, alongside the return of a separate, YouTube Music subscription service.

YouTube Premium (formerly YouTube Red) is a paid streaming subscription service that provides advertising-free streaming of all videos hosted by YouTube. Exclusively, original content produced in collaboration with the site’s creators, access to audio-only versions of videos on the YouTube Music app.

As well as, offline playback and playback of videos on mobile devices. The service was originally launched in November 2014 as Music Key, offering only advertisement-free streaming of music videos from participating labels on YouTube and Google Play Music. In addition, the service was then revised and relaunched as YouTube Red on October 31, 2015.

Expanding its scope to offer advertisement-free access to all YouTube videos. As opposed to just music. And in November 2018, a YouTube representative told CNET, Variety, and many other sources that YouTube Premium would no longer keep YouTube Original shows behind a paywall.

Here is What you need to know about YouTube Premium

And then again, that during 2019, they would offer “windows” to allow certain shows the ability to be shown free. However, by 2020, most (if not all) YouTube Original Shows would be free with advertisements. For Premium subscribers, YouTube Premium will remain available to give advertisement-free services.

Particularly, access to shows that are not brought out from behind the paywall. And other exclusive features.

What are YouTube Networks?

To simply put, YouTube networks or multi-channel networks (MCN) are organizations that provide assistance in digital rights management, cross-promotion, funding, etc. They do this by taking a percentage of the ad revenue generated by your YouTube channel(like 25%, 35%, etc).

In my opinion, YouTube networks are only good for relatively big channels, with massive audiences. They might help in legal matters and bear the cost in case of copyright infringement. Additionally, they will also provide funding if you are big enough! They even give general assistance.

Keep in mind, videos can be removed from the site for different reasons, not all of which are copyright-related. Also, Content ID claims don’t result in a strike. With time, many people have become self-centered to utilize other people’s intellectual property and or properties to their own benefit.

Here is What you need to know about YouTube Networks

This is because the YouTube monetization program pays users directly due to the monies earned through its advertising program.

Some of these peoples include and not limited to; Producers to your content – video, managers, communication Team, and even peers. This they do with your little know-how of how YouTube operates and or works. But, gone are the days, things are made easy nowadays to content up-loaders who want to make a living out of their work.

Finally, I hope the above-revised guide will help you towards monetizing your YouTube Channel Content. But, if you’ll incur a glitch, or even have additional contributions and or questions, please Contact Us. You can also share your thoughts and more questions in the comments section.

Don’t forget that you can also donate to support our blog research and other ongoing projects here.

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