A modern guide to making money on YouTube: ads, affiliates, sponsors, products, services and tool stacks. UK + global.
Make Money on YouTube
Quick answer: Making money on YouTube is easiest when you diversify: ads + affiliates + a core offer + sponsors. Start small and build.
Start here
Use these quick links to get value fast, then dive deeper when you’re ready.
Quick comparisons
If you’re choosing a revenue path, start with what matches your channel size and your time available.
| Option | Best for | Cost | Effort | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ads (YPP) | Stable channels with consistent views | £ | Low | Requires eligibility + consistent uploads |
| Affiliate links | Niche tutorials & product-led content | £ | Medium | Works best with honest comparisons + internal hubs |
| Sponsorships | Creators with clear audience fit | ££ | Medium | Rates depend on niche + audience value |
| Products/services | Experts & businesses | £££ | High | Highest upside; needs offer + funnel |
Best picks
Quick, practical picks that work well for making money on YouTube. These are designed to be snippet-friendly and easy to act on.
Best ‘starter’ income paths
- Affiliate links: Fastest path if you can recommend the right tools honestly (tutorials + comparisons).
- Services: Best if you have a skill: audits, thumbnails, editing, coaching.
- Digital products: Highest leverage long-term: templates, courses, memberships.
Best content formats for revenue
- ‘Best X for Y’ videos: High intent. Pair with a simple comparison table + links.
- Problem/solution tutorials: Evergreen how-tos with one clear CTA at the end.
- Case studies: Trust builder that sells services and sponsors.
Best next clicks
- Creator Gear hub: Build a setup that makes recording easy (consistency wins).
- Monetization guide: Step-by-step breakdown of revenue streams.
- YouTube pricing: What to charge for services, sponsorships, and packages.
A framework you can copy
This page is designed to be actionable. Use the framework below and take one improvement per week.
- Intent: what does the viewer want?
- Packaging: why do they click?
- Delivery: why do they keep watching?
- Next step: what do you want them to do after?
Common mistakes (and the fix)
- Too broad: narrow the promise.
- Slow hooks: pay off faster.
- No conversion path: add one aligned CTA.
FAQs
How many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube?
You can earn with affiliates or services at any size. For AdSense, you need 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months (or 10M Shorts views in 90 days).
What’s the fastest way to make your first £100?
Pick one tool you genuinely like, make a tutorial that solves a real problem, and add one clear affiliate link plus a simple ‘next step’ CTA.
Is AdSense worth it or should I focus on affiliates?
AdSense is great for stability once you have consistent views. Affiliates often pay more per viewer for product-led niches and tutorials.
How do sponsorships really work?
Sponsors pay for audience access. Rates depend on niche, geography, and conversion value—not just subscriber count.
What’s the ‘best’ monetisation stack for small channels?
A simple stack: one affiliate offer + one service offer + one email/lead capture. Then add AdSense when eligible.
How do I avoid looking spammy with affiliate links?
Recommend fewer things, explain who it’s for, and link to a ‘resources’ hub instead of stuffing links everywhere.
Do YouTube Shorts help you make money?
Shorts can grow reach, but long-form usually converts better. Use Shorts to drive to a relevant long video or playlist.
How often should I publish to earn consistently?
Consistency beats intensity. A realistic cadence (weekly or fortnightly) with improving packaging compounds fastest.
What’s the biggest mistake creators make when trying to monetise?
They build revenue first and audience second. Start with one problem you solve repeatedly, then monetise that demand.
Where should I send viewers after a video?
To one next step: a related guide, a resources page, or a simple service CTA—don’t give five options.
Related guides in this cluster
Next steps
Full reviews on the blog
For deeper breakdowns, screenshots and updates, use the canonical reviews:
Tip: These static pages are fast-loading hubs; the blog reviews are where I keep the most up-to-date details.
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Quick actions
Extra creator FAQs
Quick answers written for People Also Ask and AI summaries.
What tools do most successful YouTubers use?
Most creators use one research tool (vidIQ or TubeBuddy), one thumbnail tool (Placeit or Canva), a simple editor like Descript, and licensed music from Lickd or Epidemic. Tools support your workflow but packaging and retention drive results.
Are YouTube SEO tools worth paying for?
If you publish consistently, yes. They save time on research and optimisation, which compounds over dozens of uploads. If you only upload occasionally, focus on thumbnails and storytelling first.
Should I use vidIQ or TubeBuddy?
Use vidIQ if you want stronger topic discovery and research. Use TubeBuddy if you want workflow helpers and bulk optimisation features. Either works when paired with strong thumbnails and retention.
How fast can a new channel grow?
With a clear niche and weekly uploads, many channels see traction in 60–90 days. Growth depends more on packaging and consistency than any specific tool.
Do these pages use affiliate links?
Some links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I use or trust. Full reviews and results are shared on the main blog.
People also ask
Quick answers written for People Also Ask and AI summaries.
Is vidIQ free or paid?
vidIQ has a free plan that covers basic research. Paid plans unlock deeper keyword data, competitor insights and workflow tools. Most active creators upgrade once they publish consistently.
Is TubeBuddy better than vidIQ?
They solve slightly different problems. vidIQ is stronger for discovery and research. TubeBuddy shines at bulk optimisation and workflow. Many creators test both and keep the one that fits their style.
What is the best free YouTube tool?
Start with YouTube Studio analytics and Canva. If you want extra research, vidIQ’s free tier is usually the best starting point.
How do I grow on YouTube fast?
Improve thumbnails and titles first, then publish consistently and double down on videos that retain viewers. Tools only support this process.
How many subscribers do you need to make money?
You can earn with affiliates or services at any size. For AdSense, you need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months.
Do thumbnails really matter?
Yes. Thumbnails directly impact click-through rate. Even a 1–2% improvement can double views over time.
Can I automate YouTube with AI?
AI can help with scripting, editing and research, but fully automated channels rarely build loyal audiences. Use AI to assist, not replace, your voice.