General Rules
To monetize on YouTube, you must:
- Follow the YouTube Community Guidelines
- Have full rights to use all audio and visual content in your videos
- Ensure your content complies with YouTube monetization policies
Advertisers prefer content that is safe, original, and brand-friendly.
Content You Create Yourself
You can usually monetize if:
- You made all video, audio, and visuals yourself
- Examples include vlogs, tutorials, DIY videos, original music, and short films
- You own the rights to everything in the video
Content You Did Not Create
If you use someone else’s content:
- You must have permission to use it commercially
- You must understand copyright and YouTube spam rules
- Licensing must clearly allow monetization
Music and Audio Usage
- You can use music from the YouTube Audio Library for monetization
- Some songs in Creator Music allow full monetization
- Some songs require revenue sharing with rights holders
Common Situations
Gaming Content
- You may monetize gameplay if the game publisher allows commercial use
- Commentary, education, or transformation increases eligibility
Software Tutorials
- Monetization is allowed if the software license permits commercial use
- Content should be focused on instruction or education
Royalty-Free or Creative Commons Content
- Can be monetized only if the license allows commercial use
- Credit may be required depending on the license
Public Domain Content
- Monetization is allowed if the content is truly in the public domain
Covers and Music Performances
- Covers may be monetized if rights holders allow it
- Original commercial recordings (instrumentals, karaoke, live recordings) usually cannot be monetized
Recorded TV, DVDs, or Events
- You need explicit permission from rights holders to monetize
Purchased or Found Online Content
- Buying or finding content online does NOT give you monetization rights
Fair Use Content
- Some fair use content may be monetized, but it is not guaranteed
- Commercial use can still be challenged legally
Even if content is allowed on YouTube, it may not be eligible for ads if it is not advertiser-friendly.
