How to Make Money on YouTube in 2026: 9 Real Ways (With or Without Showing Your Face)
· 2 min read
Every way to make money on YouTube in 2026: ads, Shorts revenue, memberships, Super Thanks, affiliates, sponsorships and products. Requirements, payouts and how to start faceless.
Making money on YouTube in 2026 is not just about ads. The channels that earn the most stack three or four income streams, and several of them work before you join the YouTube Partner Program.
1. Ads on long-form videos
YouTube runs ads on your videos and shares the revenue with you. You need to meet the monetization requirements: 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months, or 1,000 subscribers plus 10 million valid Shorts views in 90 days. Finance, tech and business niches pay far more per view than comedy or gaming.
2. Shorts revenue sharing
Ad revenue from the Shorts feed goes into a pool, and creators keep 45% of their share, based on their views. It pays less per thousand views than long-form, but Shorts grow a channel much faster.
3. Channel memberships
Monthly subscriptions for badges, emojis and exclusive videos. Available from the entry level of the Partner Program (500 subscribers).
4. Super Thanks, Super Chat and Super Stickers
Viewers tip to highlight a comment or a live chat message.
5. Affiliate marketing
Recommend a product with a link and earn a commission. No monetization needed, so you can start on your first video.
6. Sponsorships
Brands pay for mentions and dedicated videos. Small, focused channels land deals before 10,000 subscribers because brands pay for the right audience.
7. Your own products
E-books, templates, courses and paid communities have the highest margins.
8. YouTube Shopping
Tag products in your videos and earn on each sale.
9. Repurpose on TikTok and Reels
The same vertical video works on all three platforms, each with its own creator programs.
Can you do it without showing your face?
Yes. Most list, story and Shorts channels are faceless: voiceover, visuals and captions. What matters is original value: YouTube does not monetize mass-produced, repetitive content ("inauthentic content"). See how to start a faceless YouTube channel.
A 30-day starter plan
- Pick a niche you can make 100 videos about (ideas here).
- Post one Short a day for 30 days, same format and visual style.
- Add an affiliate link from day one.
- Double down on the videos with the highest retention.
Making 30 videos in 30 days is the hard part. Movyo turns an idea into a finished Short: hook-first script, voiceover, visuals, captions and music. Your first video is free.
Frequently asked questions
How many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube?+
For ad revenue, 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. Memberships and Super Thanks start at 500 subscribers. Affiliates and sponsorships have no minimum.
Can a faceless channel be monetized?+
Yes, as long as the content is original and not mass-produced and repetitive.
Do YouTube Shorts make money?+
Yes, but they pay less per thousand views than long-form videos. Their strength is fast channel growth.
Your 1st video is free, no card.