Monetizing a 31-Month YouTube Channel: Steps and Requirements

Having created a 31-month-old YouTube channel with 1600 subscribers, you might wonder if you can monetize it. Monetizing your channel is indeed possible, but with certain eligibility criteria and steps involved. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of applying for monetization and setting up your AdSense account to start earning revenue.

Understanding YouTube Monetization

YouTube places ads inside or near videos. To start earning money from your 31-month-old channel, you need to have engaged a sufficient number of subscribers and viewer engagement, significantly more than the 1600 you currently have. Alongside a substantial subscriber base, videos should meet specific criteria to be eligible for monetization.

Criteria for Monetization

To be eligible for YouTube monetization, you need to meet several key requirements:

Subscribers and Viewers

You need a substantial number of subscribers and views on each video. While the exact threshold for monetization eligibility is not disclosed by YouTube, it is generally acknowledged that you need more than 1600 subscribers and tens of thousands of views on individual videos.

Ownership and Copyright Compliance

You must own all the rights to the content in your videos. For instance, if your video contains a song for which you do not hold the copyright (such as a song purchased from iTunes), it would not be eligible for monetization. For detailed information on copyright and fair use, visit YouTube's Copyright Center.

Additionally, videos must comply with YouTube's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. This includes ensuring that the content does not violate any policies related to hate speech, harassment, or other problematic content.

Ads are displayed automatically based on a range of factors, including your video's categorization, metadata, and engagement metrics. It is important to optimize your video titles, tags, and descriptions with relevant keywords to improve visibility and engagement. Note that while you cannot control all ads, you can block ads by general categories and exclude sensitive categories through your AdSense account settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Monetization

To start monetizing your YouTube channel, follow these steps:

Step 1: Enable Monetization

Log in to your YouTube channel account. Go to the Channel Settings tab and select "Enable monetization." This step is crucial as it enables you to apply for and collect revenue from ads on your videos.

Step 2: Accept the YouTube Monetization Agreement

Follow the steps to accept the YouTube monetization agreement. This agreement outlines the policies and terms under which you can monetize your content.

Step 3: Check Eligible Videos

Once monetization is enabled, you will see a green box with a dollar sign next to videos that are immediately eligible for monetization. Videos that are not eligible will appear under the Copyright Notices tab. Ensure that all your videos comply with the necessary criteria before enabling monetization.

Step 4: Associate an AdSense Account

AdSense is the payment mechanism for displaying ads on your YouTube videos. Setting up an AdSense account is free and involves providing some basic information:

You need either a PayPal or a bank account. A valid mailing address is required for account verification. AdSense will send you a verification letter to confirm your mailing address. Once your account is approved, AdSense will update you.

If you already have an AdSense account, you can associate it with your YouTube channel. You can find detailed instructions on how to associate your YouTube and AdSense accounts on the Google support page.

By following these steps, you can successfully monetize your 31-month-old YouTube channel and start earning revenue from your hard work and content creation. Remember, the key factors for earning revenue are the type of ads and the pricing of the ads appearing with your videos. Pre-roll ads, which lead into the beginning of a video, typically make more money per 1 thousand views than less obtrusive banners. You can earn money per ad click and a smaller amount per view.

Good luck on your journey to monetizing your YouTube channel!