How to Qualify for the YouTube Partner Program and Start Earning
Growing on YouTube and now looking forward to the YouTube Partner Program as your next step? Well, congratulations. Every content creator aspires to grow their channel. But, YPP is not just about hitting 1000 followers or 4000 watch hours. You need to learn a lot more about the process, like eligibility and its terms and conditions, to achieve long-term success in terms of monetization.
If you are ready to achieve all this, read this guide to understand everything about YPP and how creators can benefit from it.
What is the YouTube Partner Program?
The YouTube Partner Program provides access to YouTube creators, allowing them to monetize their content and utilize additional features as well. It allows creators to earn revenue from ads being shown on their content, access fan funding features such as memberships, and get access to Creator support as well.
Creators need to meet a certain criteria to be a member of the YouTube Partner Program, and there are a number of requirements to do so.
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YouTube Partner Program Requirements
To become a YouTube Partner Program member, you need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
YouTube Partner Program Eligibility
- YouTube has some guidelines and policies; meeting them allows you to monetize your YouTube channel. Make sure that you follow these YouTube channel monetization guidelines.
- Live in a country where the YouTube Partner Program is available.
- Community guidelines strikes must not be active on your channel.
- Two-step verification must be turned on for your YouTube channel.
- Have access to advanced features on your YouTube channel.
- One active AdSense linked to your channel.
YouTube Partner Program Criteria
(A) You need to have at least 1000 subscribers on your channel with 4000 valid YouTube watch time in the last 12 months.
OR
(B) Have 1000 subscribers on your channel with 10 million valid views on YouTube Shorts in the last 90 days.
Why Join the YouTube Partner Program?
Below are the top-notch benefits of joining the YouTube Partner Program:
1. Monetization
Once you are in the YouTube Partner Program, you can avail monetization benefits not only from one source but from many. It gives a creator a perfect opportunity to turn their passion into a full-time career. Some of the ways in which creators get monetization benefits include:
- Advertising revenue: Creators can earn via targeted ads, watching page ads, or YouTube Shorts monetization.
- Shoppable videos: Your subscribers can buy products from your shop or products that you tag in the video.
- Channel Memberships: Your subscribers can pay you monthly payments to get access to special perks.
- Super Chat and Super Stickers: Your fans can pay to get their messages or animated images highlighted in live chat streams
- Super Thanks: Fans can also pay to view a fun animation and get their message highlighted in the comments.
Note: Creators need to keep in mind that each of these features has a different set of eligibility criteria.
2. Content Protection
After becoming a YouTube Partner Program member, you gain access to full copyright and distribution rights. You will have greater protection over your content, and you can easily monetize it without any violation issues.
3. YouTube Creator Support Team Access
A YouTube Partner Program member has access to all the development programs and the Creator support team. Besides this, you gain access to deeper video and channel analytics to better understand your audience.
4. Connect with Partner Community
Along with all the benefits, you will also be able to connect and grow with a thriving community. The program provides a unique opportunity to connect with fellow creators at special events and experiences. This builds a strong sense of community, allowing you to collaborate and grow with other creators.
5. YouTube Premium Revenue
This feature allows creators to get a part of YouTube Premium subscribers’ subscription fee when they watch their content. This means, besides your channel subscribers, creators will also have YouTube Premium subscribers who pay monthly to watch your special content.
6. Increased Exposure
The YPP helps you grow your audience and take it to the next level. It shows their partner video at the top of the search results and gives them more reach. It also allows them to give additional promotions via YouTube Partner Sites to get increased exposure outside of the YouTube platform.
Steps to Apply For the YouTube Partner Program
Once you meet the above eligibility criteria, follow this step-by-step guide to apply for the YouTube Partner Program:
Step 1 – Open YouTube Studio
- It is recommended that you open YouTube Studio on your desktop rather than your mobile phone. It gives you a full application process.
- Sign in with the YouTube channel that you want to partner with the YouTube Program.
- On the ‘Earn’ tab, meet all the requirements if not met previously.
Step 2 – Connect Your AdSense Account
As explained previously, make sure you set up your Google Ads account and connect it.
- Create it using the same email address that you use for YouTube.
- Fill all the required fields: Payment info, address, BAML details, etc.
- Once done, link it, and get started with the other steps.
Step 3 – Apply for the YouTube Partner Program
- In the left menu, on the Earn tab, select ‘Apply Now’ to get started.
- Click ‘Start’ to review and ‘Accept’ the Base term.
Once done, you will see ‘In Progress’ in the get reviewed step. This means Google has your application, and soon your account will be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program.
Tips to Quickly Achieve the YouTube Partner Program Eligibility
Getting 1000 subscribers and 3000 watch hours is not that easy, right? So, to help you out, here are some tips to achieve this eligibility quickly:
a. Be Consistent
To achieve growth, consistency is the first thing that you need to follow. Be consistent with your content posting so that the YouTube algorithm catches it quickly. It pushes those channels that post regularly with high-quality visuals and content.
b. Cross Share on Social Media
Posting merely on YouTube won’t work; you need to cross-share on different social media platforms. This will help you gather more reach and subscribers, which further increases your eligibility for YPP.
c. Embed YouTube Channel
If you have a website, then you can attract a lot of traffic from there. Embed your YouTube channel on the website to redirect users to your YouTube channel. This will help them explore more content on your channel, thus increasing your watch hours and subscribers.
Tools like Taggbox can help you with easy embedding using keywords, channels, and more. These are much better than native embedding, as you save your time, and the content moderation will keep your YouTube feed relevant.
What to Do If You Got Rejected From the Program?
Not everyone gets accepted to the program easily, and if you got rejected, don’t worry. Here are the details:
- YouTube will provide you with the reason why your application is being rejected. Make sure you check it thoroughly.
- It will make you aware if you have posted any content that has violated YouTube’s community guidelines.
- Optimise your channel and reapply to the YouTube program application after 30 days.
- Make sure you reapply once you receive the rejection email.
- If you have reapplied for it before, then you have to wait for 90 days.
- Still, after meeting all the YouTube Partner Program requirements, it rejects the application, then you can appeal to it within 21 days.
Success Stories: Creators YouTube Partner Program Stories
Check below how famous YouTube creators have gained success on YouTube and turned their passion into a full-time job:
1) Thomas Sanders
Thomas Sanders is an American actor and YouTuber, known for his Vine series ‘Narrating People’s Lives’ aka ‘Storytime’. He is also famous for the YouTube series ‘Sanders Sides’. Thomas Sanders started making videos on the Internet and then started with YouTube videos with a passion for creating content. He started posting engaging stories to increase engagement on YouTube and has been successful in building a strong community.
The YouTube Partner Program has helped Thomas Sanders’ channel and given it an extra boost. Very soon, he has been successful in financing his passion with excellent YouTube Partner program features, such as fun funding, shopping videos, AdSense linking, community engagement, and new YouTube features.
2) Molly Burke
Molly Burke became the first blind content creator to surpass 1 million subscribers on YouTube. Now with over 5 million followers across social media, she’s built a globally recognizable brand as a speaker, content creator, author, consultant, and model. She has been successful in becoming financially independent, all because of YouTube. With the YouTube partner program, she got access to many of the premium features that helped her become a successful YouTuber and content creator.
3) Crochet By Genna
Genna, a YouTube creator, creates Crochet designs and plushies that her audience loves. She had grown up watching several YouTube videos until she found out her passion for crochet. She started her YouTube channel named ‘CrochetbyGenna’, where she started documenting her crochet-making journey. Her initial growth was slow, but in a few months, she became eligible for the YouTube Partner Program.
She explained in her video how the YouTube partner program helped her passion turn into a passive income source. She started selling her merchandise on her channel, on different platforms, and has achieved great success in it.
Conclusion
The YouTube Partner Program works like magic to turn your content creator passion into a real income stream. Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can start earning from ads, memberships, live stream donations, and shoppable content.
However, joining the YouTube Partner Program requires consistent time and effort to get here, but it’s worth it. Start early and plan well so that the audience not only loves your content but also helps you earn good money.
