Check YouTube Channel Monetization Status

Enter a channel URL to instantly check if it's eligible for the YouTube Partner Program.

YouTube Monetization Checker — Full Guide

Knowing whether a YouTube channel is monetized helps creators make strategic decisions, lets marketers vet influencers, and satisfies curious viewers. Below is a comprehensive guide that pairs our free YouTube Monetization Checker tool with manual verification steps, tips to reach monetization faster, and frequently asked questions that users search for.

Why Monetization Matters

Being part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) unlocks revenue streams like ad revenue, channel memberships, Super Chats, Super Stickers, and a share of YouTube Premium receipts. For creators, monetization is the bridge from hobby to sustainable income. For brands, a monetized channel signals baseline quality and compliance with YouTube policies.

YouTube Monetization Requirements (2025)

Before applying to YPP, a channel must meet a set of eligibility requirements. As of 2025, the most important public thresholds are:

  • 1,000 subscribers (minimum).
  • 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months OR 10 million valid Shorts views in the last 90 days.
  • Two-step verification enabled on the Google account.
  • No active Community Guideline strikes on the channel.
  • Compliance with YouTube's advertiser-friendly content policies and copyright rules.

Meeting those thresholds allows a creator to apply for YPP, but final approval involves human review by YouTube and may consider additional policy signals.

How Our Free YouTube Monetization Checker Helps

Manual verification can be slow — you have to inspect multiple videos and live streams to find membership buttons, Super Chats, or ad behavior. Our free YouTube Monetization Checker automates the first step:

  • Enter a channel URL, handle, or Channel ID.
  • We fetch public stats (subscriber count, recent uploads, public view counts) through the YouTube Data API.
  • The tool estimates eligibility for both the standard watch-hours path and the Shorts path, and returns a confidence score.

Use the tool to get an instant, data-driven snapshot — then follow manual checks below to confirm features that are not publicly exposed.

Manual Checks — Definitive Signs a Channel Is Monetized

Because YouTube does not publicly disclose every monetization flag, combining automated checks with manual inspection is the best approach. Look for these visible signals:

  1. Join button (Channel Memberships) — Visible near the Subscribe button when enabled.
  2. Super Thanks / Super Chat / Super Stickers — The ‘Thanks’ heart icon on watch pages and Super Chat in live streams are clear signals.
  3. Merch shelf or Shopping integrations — Product cards or a merch carousel appear under videos for eligible channels.
  4. Consistent Ads on Videos — Pre-roll or mid-roll ads usually indicate the creator is in YPP; however, YouTube sometimes shows ads on non-monetized channels (YouTube keeps revenue in those cases), so combine this with other signals.
  5. Community and About page — Monetized creators often list sponsorship contacts, merch links, and membership CTAs in About and channel banners.

How to Use the Checker — Workflow

1. Run the YTface Monetization Checker with the channel URL or handle.

2. Review the automated eligibility bars (subscribers, uploads in last 90 days, watch hours estimate, Shorts views estimate).

3. If the tool shows likely eligible, perform manual confirmation using the steps above (Join button, Super features, merch).

4. For partnership decisions, consider asking the creator for an analytics screenshot or a YouTube Studio verification link before finalizing deals.

Tips to Reach Monetization Faster

If you're growing a channel and aiming for YPP, focus on these practical tactics:

  • Consistency: Publishing reliably (weekly or biweekly) builds momentum and watch-time.
  • Topical focus: Videos that answer specific, searchable queries perform better in the long run.
  • Optimize for watch time: Use hooks in the first 15 seconds, retain viewers with clear structure, and use playlists.
  • Leverage Shorts: Shorts can accelerate view counts — hitting 10M Shorts views in 90 days qualifies you via the Shorts path.
  • Community engagement: Reply to comments, use community posts, and host live streams (live content often increases time spent by viewers).
  • Avoid policy risks: Do not repost copyrighted content or use misleading metadata — strikes delay or block monetization.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many subscribers do I need to monetize my channel?

You need at least 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months or 10M Shorts views in the last 90 days to apply for YPP.

Do Shorts count for monetization?

Yes: YouTube added a Shorts path that allows channels to qualify for YPP by reaching 10 million valid Shorts views in the last 90 days. Shorts views do not directly contribute to the 4,000 watch hours metric, so choose the path that suits your content.

Can a channel be earning without YPP?

Yes — creators can earn via sponsorships, affiliate links, merchandise, or external platforms. However, ad revenue, Super Chat, and channel memberships require YPP enrollment.

What if my application is rejected?

You can reapply after 30 days. Use that time to address any flagged issues (remove reused content, fix copyright claims, improve original content) and document the fixes.

How accurate is the automated checker?

Our checker uses public data via the YouTube Data API and an estimation model for watch hours and Shorts views. We provide a confidence indicator (LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH) based on sample size and recency. Because YouTube does not publicly expose some monetization flags, the tool is an estimate — not an official confirmation.

Next Steps

If you want, you can: