How Many YouTube Subscribers Do You Need To Make Money?

We all know YouTube pays you for delivering great content to viewers, but when can you access this income? If you’re thinking about how many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube, then you’re at the right place. The platform has its own requirements for entering the YouTube Partner Program that opens doors for monetizing your channel.

So, how many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube? As of the new policy update, YouTubers need at least 500 subscribers to profit from the platform. Therefore, you must buy YouTube subscribers and fulfill other requirements to embark on your monetization journey. Here’s an overview of everything you must know to earn from YT.

When can you start getting paid on YouTube?

YouTube has recently relaxed its policies regarding entering the YouTube Partner Program. So, if you’re wondering how many subscribers you need to make money on YouTube, the simple answer is 500 subscribers. But along with that, you must suffice other requirements like:

• First, have 500 subscribers on your YouTube channel.
• You must have also made 3 valid public posts on your channel in the past 90 days.

Now, along with that, you must either have 

• 3000 watch hours in the last 12 months OR
• completed 3 million Shorts views in the past 90 days.

Remember, these policies have been updated and renewed as of June 2023 and only apply to countries like the US, UK, Canada, Taiwan, and South Korea. However, YouTube will also be slowly applying these policies in other countries.

Earlier, the requirements were a little higher. However, the platform has eased these regulations so that small YouTubers can monetize their channels sooner. Yet, if you want to be monetized for ads, you must complete the old requirement of 4,000 watch hours and 1,000 subscribers or 10 million Short views.

But now the question is, how can you apply for this program?

How does YouTube monetization work?

Now that we have answered your question about how many subscribers you need to make money on YouTube, it’s time to learn how. Firstly, you must fulfill all the requirements to start monetizing your channel.

Your channel must have the minimum required subscribers and view count. Once you understand and fulfil the YPP requirements and create a Google AdSense account, you can earn revenue on the platform. The most basic way to earn money on YouTube is through ad revenue. You will receive money through YouTube based on the video views and engagement.

Since ad revenue is the basic source of income for many creators, there are various ad formats from which to earn. For example, skippable ads, non-skippable ads, display ads, etc. These different ads can slightly affect the earning potential of creators, but the revenue generated through ads will be determined by the engagement you receive on the videos.

Additional revenue streams can enhance a YouTube monetization strategy. YouTubers can explore affiliate marketing, merchandise sales, channel memberships, etc., to diversify their income.

To achieve this faster, you can partner with YouTube promotional services like VeeFly, which can help you get your desired engagement sooner. Once you have reached the partner program requirements, here’s how to join the YPP.

How To Join YouTube Partner Program?

Firstly, you must apply for YPP once you have completed the criteria. To apply for YPP, follow these steps:

1. Go to YouTube Studio
2. Now, in the left menu bar, click on Earn
3. Go down to “How do I join?”. Here, you will see your statistics of how many more subscribers or other requirements you need to apply for the YPP.

You can apply directly for the program if you have completed the goal. So when you hit “Earn,” you’ll be redirected to the YPP application page. Here, you have to complete the following four steps:

1. Read and agree with YouTube Partner Program’s Terms of Service
2. Now, set up your Google AdSense account and connect it with your channel
3. Enable 2-step verification on your channel

That’s it! Now, you have to wait until YouTube reviews your channel and checks whether it meets the requirements. Once it gives you the green signal, you have joined the YPP.

Once you join the program, you unlock several monetization features. These include Channel Memberships, Super Chats and stickers, YT Super Thanks, YouTube Premium revenue, and other merchandising benefits. 

Note that your channel’s subscriber count and other similar factors determine your level of access to these monetization tools.

YouTube Subscriber Count Needed For Other Monetization Strategies

In addition to YPP, YouTubers must fulfill several monetization strategies to begin making money on YouTube. So, let’s look at the various ways to generate money on YouTube and determine the number of followers you need.

• Channel Membership

You must meet the following criteria: be at least 18 years old, have over 30,000 subscribers, be a member of the YouTube Partner Program, and make sure that your channel is set up to accept memberships.

Subscribers can upgrade their viewing experience by becoming paying members of your channel. This will get them access to special material, emoticons, and badges.

• Merch

More than 10,000 subscribers are required to access the merch shelf in the YouTube Partner Program.

• Super Chat & Super Stickers

You must be 18 or older, a resident of an eligible Super Chat location, and in control of a functional live chat feature to participate. Neither Super Chat nor Super Stickers has any subscription requirements.

Tips to Increase Your YouTube Earnings

Beyond ad revenue, you can follow these actionable ways to boost your income:

• Focus on niche content: Stick to creating specific content that attracts higher-paying and loyal subscribers.
• Collaborate with like-minded creators: Leverage cross-promotion opportunities to grow on YouTube. Collaborate with brands for sponsored videos. This will help you attract a wider audience.
• Optimize Watch Time: Create engaging intros, use storytelling, and encourage viewers to watch till the end. Higher watch time improves your channel’s visibility.

Consistently uploading quality content and engaging with your audience can significantly increase your chances of earning more. And remember, knowing how many subscribers do you need on YouTube to make money is just the beginning—how you keep them engaged matters more.

Conclusion

Now that you have learned how many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube, you can start planning accordingly to earn faster through your channel. As a budding YouTuber, you must take advantage of the new monetization policy and start earning from your channel as soon as possible!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How much do YouTubers make per subscriber?

YouTube does not pay per subscriber. In fact, it won’t matter if you have thousands of subscribers and zero engagement. YouTube pays you based on the number of viewers watching your videos and interacting with the ads run in your video.

Q2. Which video attracts the most subscribers?

Guides, product views, tutorials, and music videos attract the most views and subscribers on YouTube. Channels that deliver content in these niches often grow faster and gain more significant engagement.

Q3. Is it possible to make money on YouTube with fewer than 1,000 subscribers?

Yes, you can earn with less than 1000 subscribers. Creators can launch training programs that can be sold online through YouTube videos.

Q4. How much money can I make on YouTube with a certain number of subscribers?

YouTube does not have a specific pay based on subscriber count. However, by entering the YPP, you can start your monetization journey and earn good revenue from YouTube.

Q5. Who is the highest-paid YouTuber?

Mr. Beast is the highest-paid YouTuber with 385 million subscribers, earning millions through ad revenue, sponsorships, and merch sales.

Q6. What is the average salary of a YouTuber?

There is no average salary for a YouTuber. Earnings depend on several factors, such as the number of views and subscribers, earnings from ad revenue, and other monetization methods.