How to Make Money on YouTube in 2025: 8 Proven Ways to Earn Online

Looking to turn your content into income? This 2025 guide breaks down the top 8 ways to make money on YouTube, from ad revenue to merch, sponsorships, and fan support. Whether you're just starting or already gaining views, these monetization methods can help grow your earnings and impact.

Top YouTube Monetization Methods (2025 Overview)

You can earn money on YouTube by:

1. Joining the YouTube Partner Program
2. Enabling ads on your videos
3. Monetizing YouTube Shorts
4. Using fan funding tools
5. Selling merchandise and products
6. Collaborating with brands and sponsors
7. Licensing your content to media outlets
8. Promoting products through affiliate marketing

1. Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) unlocks most built-in monetization features, including ads, Super Chat, memberships, and YouTube Shopping.

YPP Eligibility Requirements in 2025:

1. 500+ subscribers
2. 3 public uploads
3. 3,000 watch hours in the last 12 months or 3M Shorts views in the last 90 days
4. To enable ads: 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours or 10M Shorts views
5. Compliance with YouTube’s monetization policies

Apply via the YouTube Studio → Earn tab once you qualify.

2. Turn On YouTube Ads

Once you're accepted into YPP, enable ads to earn money from:

1. Pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll ads
2. Display and overlay ads
3. Shorts ads (placed between videos)

Average YouTube Ad Revenue in 2025:

1. CPM (Cost Per 1,000 Impressions): ~$15.34 average
2. Your cut: 55% of ad revenue (YouTube keeps 45%)

Example Ad Earnings:

1. 50,000 monetized views at a $15 CPM =
2. ($15 x 50) x 0.55 = $412.50

Use YouTube’s Revenue tab to track monthly earnings and view ad performance.

3. Monetize YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts continue to be a major growth area in 2025, with over 70 billion daily views. Creators can earn via ad revenue share from the Shorts Feed.

How Shorts Revenue Works:

1. Revenue is pooled from ads between Shorts
2. The “Creator Pool” splits earnings based on view share
3. YouTube pays 45% of eligible revenue to creators

Estimated Shorts RPM:

1. Ranges from $0.01 to $0.06 per 1,000 views

Shorts Earnings Example:

1. 800,000 views at $0.04 RPM =
2. (800,000 / 1,000) x $0.04 = $32

Tip: Short-form content can boost exposure and feed long-form growth.

4. Let Your Audience Support You (Fan Funding)

Fan funding allows subscribers to directly support your work through:

YouTube’s Built-in Features:

1. Super Chat & Super Stickers – Live tip donations
2. Super Thanks – Tips on regular videos
3. Channel Memberships – Monthly subscriptions with perks

You can offer:

1. Member-only content
2. Custom emojis and badges
3. Early access to videos
4. Members-only live streams and chats

Off-Platform Fan Funding Tools:

1. Patreon – Membership tiers, exclusive content
2. Ko-fi / Buy Me a Coffee – One-time or recurring donations
3. Tipeee – Flexible tipping

5. Sell Your Own Products and Merch

Creators can now turn their brand into a business by selling merchandise and digital products directly through YouTube.

Use YouTube Shopping to:

1. Display products under videos and livestreams
2. Tag items in your content
3. Open a branded storefront on your channel

What to Sell:

1. Branded t-shirts, hats, mugs
2. Digital downloads (eBooks, templates)
3. Partner products via print-on-demand

Connect an eCommerce platform like Shopify for seamless product sync.

6. Partner With Brands for Sponsorships

As your channel grows, brands may pay you to:

1. Create sponsored videos
2. Mention or review products
3. Add links to your video descriptions

Even micro-influencers (1,000–10,000 subs) can land deals in niche markets.

Influencer marketing platforms to try:

1. FameBit (YouTube BrandConnect)
2. Upfluence
3. Grapevine
4. Aspire

Tip: Always disclose sponsored content to stay compliant with YouTube and FTC guidelines.

7. License Your Content to the Media

Viral clips, trending videos, and unique footage can be licensed to:

1. News channels
2. Documentaries
3. Media companies
4. Stock footage platforms

Submit clips to licensing services like:

1. Jukin Media
2. ViralHog
3. Storyful

You’ll earn royalties when your videos are used commercially.

8. Earn With Affiliate Marketing

Promote products in your videos and earn commission when viewers click your links and make purchases.

Affiliate Programs You Can Join:

1. Amazon Associates
2. ShareASale
3. Impact.com
4. ClickBank
5. Rakuten Advertising

Add trackable links to your video descriptions, pinned comments, or channel banner.

Tip: Focus on products that fit your niche for better conversions.

How Much Do YouTubers Make in 2025?

Your income depends on:

1. Niche (finance and tech pay more than vlogs or pranks)
2. Watch time and engagement
3. Audience location
4. Monetization mix (ads + merch + affiliates)

Example YouTube Earnings:

Based on blended income from ads, brand deals, and fan support.

Start Monetizing on YouTube in 2025

Monetizing your YouTube channel takes effort, consistency, and smart strategy. But with the right mix of content and monetization methods, you can build a sustainable income stream—even without millions of subscribers.