Creators
How do you monetize a YouTube channel in 2025?
YouTube monetization in 2025 goes well beyond AdSense. The YouTube Partner Program requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours (or 10M Shorts views). But the real money comes from sponsorships, affiliate marketing, digital products, and community memberships. Most successful creators treat AdSense as baseline revenue, not the primary income stream.
Key Considerations
- Sponsorships typically pay 10-50x more than equivalent AdSense revenue
- Diversify early — platform dependency is the biggest risk for creators
- Shorts monetization pays significantly less per view than long-form content
- Email list ownership is critical — it's the only audience you truly control