Want to start earning from your YouTube channel? Here’s exactly what it takes in 2025—no fluff, just the facts.

🔑 Two Levels of Monetization

Level 1: Fan-Funding Access

This gives you features like:

• Channel Memberships
• Super Chat, Super Thanks, Super Stickers
• Shopping integrations (if eligible)

To unlock this, your channel needs:

• 500 subscribers
• 3 public uploads in the last 90 days
• And either:
  • 3,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months, or
  • 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days

You won’t get ad revenue at this level—but it’s a great way to start earning through your community.

Level 2: Full Monetization (Ad Revenue + Everything Else)

This is the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)—you can now earn from:

• Ads
• YouTube Premium views
• Fan-funding
• Merch & other monetization tools

Requirements:

• 1,000 subscribers
• And either:
  • 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months, or
  • 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days

Once you hit this, you can apply for YPP and start monetizing fully.

🚨 2025 Policy Updates: What’s Changed?

Starting July 15, 2025, YouTube rolled out stricter rules targeting:

• AI-spam content
• Mass-produced, low-effort videos
• Repetitive or template-style uploads

They’re cracking down on channels that try to game the system with copy-paste content. You won’t get accepted—or could lose monetization—if your videos feel low-effort or inauthentic.

You can still use AI—but use it smartly. Add real value, creativity, and originality.

✅ Monetization Rules You Must Follow

No matter your size, you must:

• Follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines
• Meet Advertiser-friendly content standards
• Enable 2-step verification (2FA)
• Link a valid AdSense account
• Avoid reused or “sloppy” content

Even one violation can block or remove monetization.

📌 Quick Checklist to Monetize Faster

1. Pick your content path:

Shorts or long-form—choose what fits you and go all-in.

2. Hit the right threshold:

Subs + views/watch time.

3. Keep it clean:

Follow all the rules. No reused spam, no strikes.

4. Use AI the right way:

Scripting? Sure. Full auto-generated content with no edits or originality? Risky.

5. Apply when ready:

Even if your stats dip after applying, YouTube still reviews based on when you applied.

⚡ Need Help?

SMXM helps creators hit monetization faster—with:

• Viral Shorts systems
• Watch-time growth strategies
• Channel audits
• Custom AI workflows (the safe kind)

If you’re serious about getting monetized in 2025, we’ll get you there.