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How to Get YouTube Monetization 2026 (Complete Guide)
So, you want to monetize your YouTube channel in 2026. The next few minutes could be the difference between treating your channel like a hobby that occasionally stresses you out, or a legitimate, income-generating career. Or, you could ignore this advice and spend the next three years posting random YouTube Shorts into the void.
Getting into the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) has evolved. With shifting algorithms and updated platform rules, hitting those coveted milestones requires more than just uploading content and crossing your fingers. In this complete guide, I will break down the exact monetization requirements for 2026, the biggest mistakes keeping you stuck at zero revenue, and the exact strategies you need to build a highly profitable channel.
Table of Contents
The Two Tiers of YouTube Monetization in 2026
If you have been struggling to understand how making money on YouTube works, you are not alone. YouTube has divided its monetization into two distinct tiers. This allows newer creators to start earning money from their dedicated fans long before they qualify for massive advertising revenue.
Understanding these two tiers is crucial because it gives you a stepping stone. Instead of staring at an impossibly high mountain of required watch hours, you can aim for a lower threshold to get your foot in the door.
Tier 1: Early Access (The Tip Jar)
Tier 1 is officially known as Early Access to monetization, but many creators simply call it the "Tip Jar." This tier unlocks Fan Funding features such as Super Thanks, Super Chats, Super Stickers, and Channel Memberships. Basically, it gives your most loyal viewers a secure way to hand you money to say "great job!"
To reach Tier 1, you must hit 500 subscribers and have 3 valid public uploads in the last 90 days. In addition, you must achieve either 3,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the past 12 months, or 3 million public Shorts views in the past 90 days. While you won't earn ad revenue here, it's an incredible milestone for building a loyal community.
Tier 2: The Real Deal (Ad Revenue)
Tier 2 is what everybody considers the "real deal" of making money passively on YouTube. This is where you unlock YouTube Premium revenue and traditional ad revenue (the money generated when viewers watch ads before or during your videos). Once you flip this switch, YouTube takes care of the advertisers, and you take home 55% of the revenue.
To reach Tier 2, you need 1,000 subscribers. Alongside that, you need either 4,000 valid public watch hours over the past year, or a whopping 10 million Shorts views over the past 90 days. Checking your progress in the YouTube Studio "Earn" tab is the best way to track how close you are to these numbers.
Long-Form vs. YouTube Shorts: Which is Better?
One of the most common questions creators have is whether they should focus on traditional long-form content or pivot entirely to YouTube Shorts. The truth is, the easier path depends entirely on your specific creative strengths. If you are excellent at creating curiosity, building tension, and having deep, meaningful conversations with an audience, long-form content is absolutely the way to go.
However, if you are fast, funny, and know how to grab a viewer's attention in two seconds or less—and if you absolutely hate designing thumbnails—Shorts might be your golden ticket. Hitting 10 million Shorts views in 90 days sounds unrealistic to some, but highly engaging, loopable short videos can rack up millions of views overnight.
3 Biggest Mistakes Keeping You De-Monetized
Are you stuck at 150 subscribers? Are your videos getting virtually zero views? It is highly likely you are committing at least one of these three cardinal YouTube sins. It is not a shadowban, and YouTube isn't out to get you. You just need to pivot your strategy.
The YouTube algorithm serves the audience, not the creator. If your videos aren't performing, it usually means your content is misaligned with what viewers actually want to click on and watch.
1. Making Content Nobody Wants to Watch
When we first start on YouTube, we are often too emotionally attached to our own ideas. We blindly assume that if *we* care about a topic, everyone else will too. For instance, uploading a 6-minute video unboxing a highly specific commemorative coin might be your passion, but if it doesn't help, entertain, inspire, or motivate an audience, nobody is going to watch it.
The fix? Find where your passion overlaps with audience demand. Use keyword research tools to see what people are actively searching for. Reframe your passion for the benefit of the viewer. Ask yourself: "Why would someone click this?" and "What is in it for them?"
2. Random Uploads vs. Repeatable Formats
Many creators buy into the outdated myth that the algorithm rewards pure volume, thinking they need to upload 30 videos in 30 days to succeed. But YouTube doesn't just count uploads; it measures viewer satisfaction. Posting 10 sloppy, random videos will just teach the algorithm that your content is low quality.
Instead, create repeatable formats. If a specific style of video (like "10 Packing Mistakes") performs well, don't pivot to a random vlog. Double down. Make a "Disaster Edition" or a "Budget Edition." Find a lane that works and own it completely.
3. Treating Viewers Like Numbers
The fastest-growing creators don't just post videos; they build communities. Channels that struggle often treat their viewers as mere metrics. If a viewer takes the time to comment on your video, and you completely ignore them, why would they ever come back?
To fix this, heavily utilize the Community Tab. Post a poll or a relatable meme every day—it only takes five minutes. Reply to early comments on your videos, pin the best ones, and ask your viewers questions directly in your videos. When people feel seen and heard, they become loyal subscribers.
How Long Does It Actually Take to Get Monetized?
You have likely seen creators bragging on Twitter or Reddit about how they reached 1,000 subscribers and got monetized in just 28 days. While that is cool, it is the exception, not the rule. YouTube is massive, with tens of millions of videos uploaded daily. For the vast majority of creators, monetization is a slow, deliberate climb.
For you, it might take 30 days. But it could also take 300 days, 1,000 cups of coffee, and a few existential crises. None of this means you are failing. Every video you upload is a repetition. Every comment is feedback. The only guaranteed way to lose on YouTube and never get monetized is if you quit.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Getting monetized on YouTube in 2026 comes down to understanding the two-tier system, choosing the right format (Shorts vs. Long-form) for your skills, and avoiding the trap of making self-serving, random content. Focus on providing immense value, treat your viewers like real human beings, and continuously improve your thumbnails and hooks.
Are you ready to stop shouting into the void and start building a real audience? Leave a comment below with your current subscriber count and watch hours, and let's support each other on the journey to the YouTube Partner Program!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many subscribers do I need to get monetized in 2026?
You need 500 subscribers for Tier 1 (fan funding like Super Thanks) and 1,000 subscribers for Tier 2 (full ad revenue).
Can I monetize using only YouTube Shorts?
Yes! You can get monetized by achieving 3 million valid public Shorts views in 90 days for Tier 1, or 10 million views in 90 days for Tier 2.
Why is my watch time not updating in the Earn tab?
The general YouTube Analytics page updates much faster than the Monetization (Earn) tab. It can take a few days for valid public watch hours to be verified and reflect in the Earn section. Just be patient!
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