YouTube partner earnings overview

Info on this page is for creators monetizing with YouTube, such as those in the YouTube Partner Program.

The YouTube Partner Program lets creators monetize their content on YouTube. Creators can share revenue from advertisements on their videos, or by using a variety of other monetization features. Use this page to understand how your earnings translate into revenue, how you can get paid, and when you can get paid.

Looking for ways to make money on YouTube without being in the YouTube Partner Program? Check out the YouTube Shorts Fund.

How do I earn revenue?

Advertising revenue

When you enable your channel for monetization, you can turn on ads from Google and its partners for your videos and share revenue from them.
 
There are no guarantees under the YouTube partner agreement about how much or whether you'll be paid. Earnings are generated based on a share of advertising revenue from viewers watching your video. Learn more about how ads show on videos you monetize.

Other monetization features

You can also earn revenue from other monetization features such as channel memberships, merch, Super Chat & Super Stickers, and YouTube Premium subscriptions. Additionally, you may be eligible for a Shorts Fund bonus payment depending on your monthly Shorts performance. Learn more about all the ways to earn money on YouTube.

What's my revenue share?

Revenue share refers to your percentage of gross revenue that is outlined in your specific partner agreement with YouTube. You can review your YouTube Partner Program Terms or Commerce Product Addendum for specific details about your revenue share:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left menu, select Settings .
3. Select Agreements.
4. Click View agreement next to YouTube Partner Program Terms or Commerce Product Addendum to find details about your revenue share.

Learn more about where to find your agreements.

Where can I see my earnings?

YouTube Analytics

You can check your estimated YouTube revenue by using YouTube Analytics.

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left menu, select Analytics.
3. From the top menu, select Revenue.

In this view, you can see a variety of revenue reports related to your earnings. Learn more about using YouTube Analytics to check your revenue.

Monthly estimated revenue

Keep in mind that monthly estimated revenue as appears in YouTube Analytics may fluctuate:

Monthly estimated revenue is subject to adjustments due to invalid traffic, Content ID claims and disputes, or certain ad campaign types (e.g. cost-per-day campaigns). If your monthly estimated revenue appears to be fluctuating, it may be due to those adjustments. They happen two times after revenue generation: after one week (giving a more complete estimate), and in the middle of the following month reflecting your finalized earnings.

AdSense

Your finalized earnings are only visible in your AdSense account. Finalized earnings for the previous month are added to your AdSense account balance between the 7th and 12th of each month.

You can find your finalized earnings within your AdSense account.

1. Sign in to your AdSense account.
2. From the left, select Settings  Payments. You'll see your total earnings for the selected timeframe and your last transactions.

Tax withholding may affect your finalized earnings (if any apply), and the amount withheld is only visible in your AdSense account.

Are my earnings taxable?

Note: YouTube and Google can’t provide advice on tax issues. Consult a tax professional to better understand your tax situation.

U.S. tax requirements 

Google withholds U.S. taxes on earnings you generate from viewers in the U.S. If you haven’t already, submit your U.S. tax info in AdSense so Google can determine your correct withholding rate. If tax info isn’t provided, Google may be required to withhold at the maximum rate.
 
Submitting U.S. tax info is required for all monetizing creators, regardless of their location in the world. It is also required before new partners with new AdSense accounts can get their first payments. Learn more about U.S. tax requirements for YouTube earnings and submitting your U.S. tax info to Google.

Other tax liability

Keep in mind that you may be liable to pay taxes to your country of residence on any income earned from your monetized videos on YouTube. Check with your local tax authorities for detailed guidance.

How can I get paid?

To get paid on YouTube, you have to either become a member of the YouTube Partner Program or be selected to receive a Shorts bonus. In both cases, you’ll be guided to create a new AdSense account if you’re doing so for the first time.

AdSense

The primary method of payment for your YouTube earnings occurs through AdSense. AdSense is Google’s ad serving program where AdSense publishers (monetizing YouTube Creators included) can earn money and get paid. 

Useful resources

• Set up an AdSense account to get paid on YouTube
• Set up your form of payment for AdSense
• Steps to getting paid
• Payment FAQs

Multi-channel networks (MCN)

Payments to affiliate channels partnering with multi-channel networks (MCN) are not performed by YouTube, but rather by the MCN directly to its affiliates. YouTube issues payment to the MCN and they are responsible for issuing payment to their affiliates. The payment timeline for this is the same as for all other monetizing channels (see Payment timelines). When determining payments for their affiliates, every MCN has access to a report allowing them to calculate the withholding tax for their respective affiliates, should any apply.

Merch payments

To get paid from sales on your merch shelf, you’ll receive payments directly from the retailer you’re working with. Learn more about selling merch on YouTube.

When can I get paid?

Payment timelines

Finalized YouTube earnings for the previous month are added to your AdSense account balance between the 7th and 12th of the current month. For example, if you’re in the United States and you earn $100 in June, you'll see this balance in AdSense between July 7th-12th.

The earnings are paid out by the 21st-26th of the current month as long as your total balance has reached the payment threshold and if you have no payment holds. You may also see any applicable tax deductions at this time. 

In short, you’ll be paid when the following criteria are met:

• Your earnings reach your local payment threshold.
• There are no holds on your account.
• You’ve provided your U.S. tax info.
• Monetization is not suspended or paused for your channel.
• You're in compliance with YouTube monetization policies.

Learn more about payment timelines for AdSense.