Ever find yourself deep in a YouTube rabbit hole at 2 AM, watching someone unbox sneakers or react to video games, and a thought pops into your head: “Wait a minute… they’re getting PAID for this?” And then the second thought hits: “Could *I* do that?” The answer is a massive YES. Learning how to make money with youtube views is not some secret code reserved for superstars with millions of followers. It’s a real, achievable goal, even for you, right now, with just your phone and an idea. But let’s get one thing straight—it’s not about uploading one video and watching cash magically appear. Think about it. It’s a journey, a hustle, and honestly, a super fun creative project. I was shocked myself when I learned you don’t need a million views to start. We’re going to break down everything, and I mean EVERYTHING: how the YouTube Partner Program actually works for teens, how to start earning before you even qualify, the real deal on what 1,000 views pays, and how to turn your passion into a paycheck, step-by-step. So, grab a snack, and let’s get into it.
How to make money on YouTube for beginners
Okay, so that you’ve decided to head for it. Let’s talk approximately the absolute floor floor. The biggest mistake new creators make is thinking they want a elaborate digicam, a expert microphone, and a Hollywood-stage enhancing suite. Not proper. The secret sauce for novices is not the equipment; it’s the VIBE. It’s you. Your persona, your precise take on matters—that’s what human beings subscribe for. Forget perfection; intention for connection. Your target audience will forgive grainy pictures if your content material is proper and exciting. Think of your favourite smaller YouTubers; you possibly like them because they sense like a actual person, proper? That’s the intention. And getting began is less complicated than you suspect.
Finding Your Niche (That You Actually Care About)
This is step one, and it’s SO essential. Your niche is your channel’s subject matter. It might be whatever: gaming, make-up tutorials, comedy skits, book critiques, reading suggestions, skateboard hints—actually something. The key is to pick something you are without a doubt enthusiastic about. Why? Because you are going to should make a LOT of content material about it, and if you’re faking the ardour, absolutely everyone will understand (and you may burn out rapid). Don’t simply choose “gaming.” Go deeper. Is it “speedrunning conventional Nintendo games”? Is it “constructing insane structures in Minecraft”? The extra specific you are, the easier it is to find your audience. A great starting point is the ultimate guide for teens to get started on YouTube, which can help you brainstorm.
Gear You Already Have (Your Phone is Enough!)
Seriously. Your smartphone is a powerhouse. Modern phone cameras shoot in 4K, which is more than enough for YouTube. The built-in microphone is decent, too, especially if you record in a quiet room. Pro tip: pile up some pillows around your phone to absorb echo. It sounds silly, but it works! For editing, there are amazing free apps like CapCut and InShot that let you do professional-looking cuts, add music, and throw in text right on your phone. Don’t spend a dime on gear until you’re consistently making videos and know this is something you want to stick with. Your focus should be on content, not equipment.
The Awkward Phase: Your First 10 Videos
Your first videos are probably going to be a little cringe. And that’s okay! Everyone’s are. It’s like the “look at my baby pictures” of your YouTube career. Embrace the awkwardness. The goal of your first 10 videos isn’t to go viral; it’s to learn. You’ll learn how to talk to a camera, how to pace your editing, what kind of thumbnails get clicks, and what your audience responds to. Just hit record and start creating. Experiment, have fun, and don’t be afraid to fail. That’s how you find your voice and figure out how to make money with youtube views in the long run.
YouTube Partner Program
This is the big one. The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is how most creators get paid directly from YouTube. When you’re in the YPP, YouTube places ads on your videos, and you get a cut of the revenue from those ads. It’s the most well-known path to a YouTube income, but it has some specific requirements you need to meet first. It’s not an instant-in; it’s something you work towards. The journey to YPP is where you build your community and prove to YouTube that you’re a serious creator.
The Big Question: What Are the Requirements?
To join the YPP, you need to meet two main goals. First, you need at least 1,000 subscribers. Second, you need 4,000 hours of public watch time on your long-form videos within the last 12 months OR 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. Think about that for a second… that’s a lot of people watching your stuff! It sounds intimidating, but it’s YouTube’s way of making sure you have an engaged audience. You also have to be in good standing with YouTube’s policies (no strikes) and have two-step verification turned on for your account. It’s a checklist, and every video you post gets you closer to ticking those boxes.
The Parent Trap: Using a Guardian’s AdSense Account
Here’s a crucial piece of info for teens. To actually get paid, you need an AdSense account, and you have to be 18 or older to create one. So, what do you do? This is where your parents or a trusted guardian (who is over 18) come in. You can link your YouTube channel to their approved AdSense account. This is super common and totally allowed by YouTube. You *have* to have this conversation with them. Explain what you’re doing, be transparent about the process, and figure out the logistics of how the money will be handled. This is a business, even if it’s a fun one, so treat it professionally.
How much money do you make on youtube with 1,000 subscribers?
This is a trick question! You actually make… zero dollars. At least, directly from YouTube ads. Having 1,000 subscribers is a huge milestone, don’t get me wrong! It’s the first major key to unlocking the YouTube Partner Program. But subscribers themselves don’t pay you. Think of them as your loyal community, your fan club. They are the people who will generate the watch hours you need to get monetized. Once you hit 1,000 subs *and* 4,000 watch hours, then you can apply for the YPP and start earning. But even before that, those 1,000 fans can be your first source of income through other methods we’ll talk about soon!
youtube income per 1,000 views
Okay, let’s get into the numbers. The money you earn isn’t based on views alone; it’s based on *monetized* views, meaning views where an ad was shown. The metric that matters is RPM, which stands for Revenue Per Mille (mille is Latin for thousand). Your RPM is the total amount of money you earn per 1,000 views on your channel, after YouTube takes its cut (they take about 45%). This number can be all over the place. I’ve seen creators with an RPM of $1 and others with an RPM of $20 or more. It depends almost entirely on your niche and your audience’s location. A channel about personal finance aimed at adults in the U.S. will have a much higher RPM than a channel with funny cat videos watched by a global audience. Why? Because advertisers will pay more to reach an audience they know has money to spend. It’s a reminder that understanding your audience is key to figuring out how to make money with youtube views effectively.
| Video Niche | Potential RPM (per 1,000 views) | Why It’s Valued This Way |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Finance & Investing | $10 – $30+ | Advertisers (banks, trading apps) want to reach people interested in money. The audience has high commercial intent. |
| Tech Reviews | $8 – $20 | Viewers are actively looking to buy products. Tech companies will pay a premium to advertise their latest gadgets. |
| Beauty & Fashion | $5 – $15 | Makeup and clothing brands are always advertising. Viewers often make purchases based on recommendations. |
| Gaming | $2 – $8 | A huge but very broad audience. Advertisers pay less unless the content is about specific, high-value games or hardware. |
| Comedy & Entertainment | $1 – $5 | Massive audience, but less targeted for advertisers. It’s great for brand deals, but ad revenue itself can be lower. |
How to make money with youtube views reddit
If you want the unfiltered, no-fluff truth, Reddit is the place to go. Subreddits like r/NewTubers and r/PartneredYoutube are goldmines of real stories from creators. You’ll see people celebrating their first $100 payout and others sharing nightmare stories about their RPM dropping. It’s a reality check. One of the biggest takeaways from Reddit is the importance of diversification. Don’t rely solely on AdSense. Seriously—so many threads are about creators who built their entire income on ads, only to have a video demonetized and their income slashed. The smart creators on Reddit preach about building multiple income streams. They’re the ones who really know how to make money on YouTube. They talk about affiliate marketing, selling merch, and getting brand deals long before their ad revenue is significant. It’s a powerful lesson in not putting all your eggs in one basket.
Beyond the Ads: Smarter Ways to Earn
Ad revenue is great, but it can be unpredictable. True success comes from building a brand, not just a channel. This is where you can get creative and start earning money *way* before you qualify for the YPP. These methods are all about leveraging the trust and community you’ve built with your audience, no matter how small. Learning how to make money with youtube views through these strategies puts the power back in your hands.
Affiliate Marketing: Your Favorite Stuff Pays You
This is one of the easiest ways to start. Affiliate marketing is when you recommend a product and get a small commission if someone buys it through your unique link. Think about the stuff you already use and love. Is it a specific gaming mouse? A brand of sketchbook? A piece of software you use for editing? Platforms like Amazon Associates are easy to join (with parental help for setup). You just put the links in your video descriptions. When you talk about a product in your video, you can say, “Hey, if you want to check this out, the link is in the description.” It feels natural because it’s authentic. You’re just sharing what you use.
Selling Your Own Stuff (No, seriously!)
This sounds like a big leap, but it’s more accessible than ever. It doesn’t have to be complicated. You can use print-on-demand services like Printful or Teespring (now Spring) to create and sell custom merch—T-shirts, hoodies, mugs—with zero upfront cost. You just upload a design, and they handle the printing and shipping when someone orders. It could be a catchphrase you say, a cool logo, or an inside joke with your audience. You can also sell digital products! If you’re a study channel, you could sell your study note templates. If you’re a gaming channel, maybe you could sell a guide or custom overlays. Think about what your audience would find valuable. Exploring options on how YouTube lets you make money with videos can open up so many doors.
How to earn money from YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts are a whole different ballgame. They’re fast, snappy, and designed to be discovered by new audiences. While they count towards your 1,000 subscriber goal, their monetization is different. Instead of a direct RPM from ads on each video, Shorts revenue is pooled from all ads shown between Shorts in the feed. This pool of money is then distributed to eligible creators based on their share of the total Shorts views. So, the more views your Shorts get, the bigger your piece of the pie. The payout per view is generally much lower than for long-form content, but the potential for massive view counts is higher. It’s a volume game. Making Shorts is a fantastic way to grow your channel fast and earn some extra cash on the side. Many people are trying to figure out how much money you can make on YouTube and Shorts are a growing part of that equation.
Safety First: Protecting Yourself Online
Okay, let’s have a real talk. Being a creator is awesome, but it means putting yourself out there, and you have to be smart about it. Your safety is more important than any view count or paycheck. Think of this as your non-negotiable creator code. First rule: protect your personal information like it’s the final Horcrux. Don’t share your full name, your school, your address, or your specific neighborhood. Internet safety is no joke. Think before you post anything that could give away where you are. Second, you will get hate comments. It’s a sad, weird part of internet culture. The best response? None. Don’t engage, don’t feed the trolls. Just block, delete, and move on. They want a reaction; don’t give them the satisfaction. Finally, be wary of “sponsorship” emails that seem too good to be true. Scammers often target small, growing channels. Always talk to a parent or guardian before agreeing to any deal or clicking on a suspicious link. Your well-being is priority number one, always.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. The real, no-fluff guide on how to make money with youtube views. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme; it’s a creative journey that takes passion, consistency, and a bit of business savvy. We’ve covered everything from getting started with zero gear to navigating the YouTube Partner Program with your parents’ help, and exploring smarter income streams like affiliate marketing and merch that you can start *right now*. The key is to start, to learn, and to build a community around something you love. The money is a byproduct of creating value for others.
So what are you waiting for? Your first (or next) video idea is waiting. Go make something awesome.
What’s a channel idea you’ve been thinking about? Drop it in the comments below—I’d love to see it!
And if you found this helpful, share it on TikTok or with a friend who needs to see it. Let’s all win together.
Last updated: June 2025. The world of online creation changes fast! Check back here for updates on new platforms and monetization rules. We’re always keeping an eye out for you. The path to making money online from home has many routes, and YouTube is one of the most exciting. Finding the best free blogging platform can also be a great way to build an audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many views do you need to get paid from YouTube?
You don’t get paid based on views alone. You need to be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) first. The main requirements are 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of public watch time in the last year. Once you’re in the YPP, you start earning from ads shown on your videos. So, the focus should be on watch time and subscribers, not just views!
2. How much is 1,000 views on YouTube Pay?
The pay for 1,000 views (known as RPM) varies wildly, from as low as $1 to over $20. It depends on your video’s topic, the age and location of your audience, and the advertisers targeting them. A video about finance will earn much more per 1,000 views than a comedy skit because advertisers pay more to reach an audience interested in financial products. There’s no single, fixed rate.
3. How many YouTube views do I need to make $2000 a month?
This completely depends on your channel’s RPM (Revenue Per Mille). If your RPM is $5, you would need around 400,000 monetized views per month to make $2,000. However, if your RPM is higher, say $15 (common in tech or finance), you would only need about 134,000 views. This is why many creators focus on multiple income streams, not just ad revenue. You can learn more about genius ways to make money on YouTube.
4. How much does 1 million views on YouTube pay?
Using the same RPM logic, 1 million views could pay anywhere from $2,000 to $40,000 or more, but the average is typically between $3,000 and $10,000 for most creators. It’s a huge range because it’s affected by your niche, audience demographics, and the season (ad rates are higher around holidays). A viral video in an entertainment niche might have a low RPM, while a business-focused video could earn much more.
