Earning from YouTube is not limited to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) — several methods are available to any creator without joining. Per YouTube's Help Center, YPP methods include ads, Shorts revenue, channel memberships, Super Chat and Super Thanks, YouTube Shopping, and Creator Partnerships. Outside YPP: external affiliate links and independent sponsorships are available to any channel.
Complete table of YouTube monetization methods
| Method | Requires YPP? | Creator revenue share | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside YPP — official revenue methods | |||
| Long-form video ads (Watch Page) | Yes | 55% of net ad revenue | AdSense guide |
| Shorts Feed ads | Yes | 45% of Creator Pool allocation | Shorts guide |
| YouTube Premium | Yes | Proportional to watch share | AdSense guide |
| Channel memberships | Yes + CPM | 70% after taxes and fees | Memberships guide |
| Super Chat and Super Stickers | Yes + CPM | 70% after taxes and fees | Supers guide |
| Super Thanks | Yes + CPM | 70% after taxes and fees | Supers guide |
| YouTube Shopping (sell your own products) | Yes | Direct from your store | Selling guide |
| YouTube Shopping Affiliate | Yes | Commission via AdSense (60–120 days) | Affiliate guide |
| Creator Partnerships (brand deals via YouTube) | Yes + 18+ + eligible countries | Direct from brand | Sponsorships guide |
| Live stream ads | Yes (1K subs full YPP) | 55% of ad revenue | Live streaming guide |
| Outside YPP — available to any creator | |||
| External affiliate links in long-form video descriptions | No | Per affiliate program | Affiliate guide |
| Independent sponsorships (direct negotiation) | No | Direct from brand | Sponsorships guide |
| Product and store links in long-form video descriptions | No (requires Advanced Features) | Per arrangement | Selling guide |
Key takeaways:
- Per YouTube's official monetization page, each feature inside YPP has its own eligibility requirements — joining YPP alone does not activate all features automatically.
- Fan funding features (memberships, Super Chat, Super Thanks) require both YPP and separate acceptance of the Commerce Product Module (CPM).
- External affiliate programs and independent sponsorships do not require YPP — but affiliate links in Shorts descriptions are non-clickable per official YouTube documentation.
- YouTube Shopping Affiliate is available only in specific countries with subscriber requirements — check the official page for current values.
- The most accurate measure of your combined earnings is RPM in YouTube Analytics, which aggregates all tracked revenue sources.
What monetization methods are available before YPP?
According to YouTube's official how to earn money page, the following methods require no YPP:
- External affiliate programs: Place commission tracking links in long-form video descriptions (Advanced Features required for clickability). Does not work in Shorts descriptions. — Full details
- Independent sponsorships: Negotiate directly with brands without YouTube's involvement. Reporting a brand deal in video settings is also available to any creator. Paid promotion disclosure is required when compensation is involved. — Full details
- Product and store links in video descriptions: External links to your store in long-form video descriptions require Advanced Features to be clickable. — Full details
What methods are available at each YPP level?
According to YouTube's expanded YPP overview page, YPP has two main tiers:
| Tier | Minimum threshold | Available methods |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded YPP | 500 subscribers + 3 uploads in 90 days + (3,000 watch hours or 3M Shorts views) | Channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, YouTube Shopping |
| Full YPP | 1,000 subscribers + (4,000 watch hours or 10M Shorts views) | All of the above + Watch Page ads + Shorts Feed ads + YouTube Premium + YouTube Shopping Affiliate + Creator Partnerships |
Official revenue share summary by method
According to YouTube's partner earnings overview:
- Watch Page ads: 55% to the creator from net ad revenue
- Shorts Feed ads: 45% to the creator from their Creator Pool allocation
- Channel memberships: 70% to the creator after taxes and fees
- Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks: 70% to the creator after taxes and fees
- YouTube Premium: Proportional share based on how much Premium subscribers watch your content
- Methods outside YouTube's share system: Creator Partnerships, external affiliate programs, and independent sponsorships are paid directly by brands or affiliate programs — YouTube takes no share
Where to start — decision map by channel stage
📋 Identify your stage and choose your path
- New or pre-YPP channel: Start with external affiliate links in long-form video descriptions and independent sponsorship outreach — no YPP required to begin earning.
- Reached 500 subscribers in an expanded YPP country: Apply for YPP and enable channel memberships and Super Chat from day one.
- Reached 1,000 subscribers and full YPP: Enable Watch Page ads and the Shorts Monetization Module. Evaluate YouTube Shopping Affiliate if you are in an eligible country.
- Established channel looking to diversify: Layer Creator Partnerships for brand deals + YouTube Shopping for merchandise + channel memberships for recurring revenue alongside existing ad income.
Frequently asked questions
Can you earn money on YouTube without YPP?
Yes. External affiliate links in long-form video descriptions and independently negotiated sponsorships do not require YPP. You can place affiliate tracking links and negotiate brand deals regardless of subscriber count or YPP status. What requires YPP is: YouTube ads, channel memberships, Super Chat and Super Thanks, YouTube Shopping (official), YouTube Shopping Affiliate, and Creator Partnerships.
Can multiple monetization methods be active on the same channel at once?
Yes. Per YouTube's official page, the methods are independent and complementary. A single channel can simultaneously earn from long-form and Shorts ads, channel memberships, Super Chat and Super Thanks, brand sponsorships, and affiliate links in video descriptions. YouTube Analytics RPM aggregates all tracked revenue sources into one metric.
What is the fastest monetization path for a new creator?
The fastest path without waiting for YPP is external affiliate marketing — join an affiliate program relevant to your niche and place links in long-form video descriptions from the start. Independent sponsorships are also negotiable at any channel size if your audience is sufficiently niche. YPP official methods (ads, memberships, Supers) require waiting to reach subscriber thresholds and passing a channel review.
Is earning from Shorts different from earning from long-form videos?
Yes. Per the official documentation, Shorts ad revenue uses the Creator Pool mechanism (a shared monthly pool distributed based on engaged view share) with a 45% creator share — not ads tied to a specific video. Additionally, external affiliate links do not work in Shorts descriptions, and Shorts views do not count toward the 4,000-hour YPP watch time threshold. For full details, see the Shorts monetization guide.
Does YouTube take a share of all monetization methods?
YouTube takes a share only from methods within its platform: 45% from Watch Page ad revenue (creator keeps 55%), 55% from Shorts Feed revenue (creator keeps 45%), and 30% from fan funding features (creator keeps 70%). External affiliate programs and independently negotiated sponsorships are paid directly by the brand or program — YouTube takes no share of those earnings.
Official sources
- YouTube Help — How to earn money on YouTube: overview of all methods
- YouTube Help — Choose how you want to monetize: available modules and features
- YouTube Help — YouTube partner earnings overview: revenue shares by method
- YouTube Help — Expanded YouTube Partner Program: methods available from 500 subscribers