How to Put Ads on YouTube Videos? Make Money with Your Content

Making money from your YouTube channel lets you turn your work into real income. According to Global Media Insight, YouTube is one of the biggest places for online ads, reaching over 2.70 billion users as of May 2025. 

Now, how can you start earning from your YouTube videos? 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to put ads in your YouTube videos and maximize the potential of YouTube’s monetization features.

Setting Up for Monetization

Before you begin: 

• You must be at least 18 years old. 
• Your channel must be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program

To become eligible for the YouTube Partner Program, your channel must have at least: 

• 1,000 subscribers
• 4,000 public watch hours or 10,000,000 public short views

Once you are eligible: 

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio. 

2. In the left menu, click on Earn. 

3. Click Start on the ‘Sign up for AdSense for YouTube’ card.
4. When asked, enter your YouTube account password for authentication. 
5. Once done, you’re now in AdSense for YouTube. 
6. Make sure your email at the top is correct. If not, click ‘Use a different account’ to switch.
7. Next, fill in your contact info and submit your AdSense application for YouTube.
8. After that, you’ll be taken to YouTube Studio. 
9. A message will confirm that your application was received. Once approved, you’ll receive an email, which may take a few days.

Enabling Ads on Your YouTube Videos

Once you’re in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), you can choose from the contract options you qualify for to start earning.

1. Go to YouTube Studio.
2. Access the Earn tab from the left-hand menu. 
3. Click on Get Started for each optional Module you want to enable. 

Monetization Methods

Watch Page Ads

The Watch Page is where people watch your long-form or live videos on YouTube, YouTube Music, or YouTube Kids.

You can make money from ads that appear before, during, after, or around your videos on the Watch Page. 

1. Open YouTube Studio.
2. Go to Content. 
3. Select the video you want to monetize, then click Edit. 
4. Click on Monetization. 
5. Select ON to enable video ads. 
6. Click Save to apply the changes. 

Shorts Feed Ads

By accepting the Shorts Monetization Module, you can start earning from ads shown between videos in the Shorts Feed. Revenue sharing begins from the day you accept.

1. Go to YouTube Studio.
2. Click on Earn in the left-hand menu. 
3. Click on Get Started for Shorts Feed Ads. 

Other Ways to Earn 

• Channel Memberships: Let viewers support your channel with monthly payments. In return, they get special perks like badges, emojis, and other exclusive content.
• Shopping: Connect your store to YouTube and showcase your products to earn money. You can also promote other brands’ products and earn from them if eligible.
• Super Chat & Super Stickers: Fans can buy Super Chats and Super Stickers during live streams and premieres. 
• YouTube Premium Revenue: Earn a share when YouTube Premium members watch your content.

Ad Breaks and Mid Roll Ads

Mid-roll ads play in the middle of videos that are at least 8 minutes long. They’re a great way for creators to earn money by placing ads where viewers are already paying attention.

Types of Ad Slots in YouTube Studio

• Automatic (Default): YouTube automatically finds natural breaks in your video and places ads there. 
• Manual: In YouTube Studio, you can choose exactly where ads appear by setting timestamps or dragging markers on the timeline.
• Automatic and Manual: Set some ad breaks yourself, and let YouTube fill in the rest.

YouTube Ad Formats

Available Ad Types

• Skippable In-Stream Ads: Ads that play before, during, or after a video. Viewers can skip after 5 seconds.
• Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads: Short ads (up to 15 seconds) that viewers must watch before the video continues.
• Bumper Ads: Very short ads (6 seconds) that play before a video and can’t be skipped.
• In-Feed Video Ads: Appear in places like the YouTube homepage, search results, or related videos. Viewers choose whether to click and watch.
• Outstream Ads: Mobile-only ads outside of YouTube, like on websites or apps within Google’s video partners.
• Masthead Ads: Premium ads at the top of the YouTube homepage are great for big reach and brand awareness.

Consider your video length, audience behavior, and content type when choosing ad formats. 

• For videos over 8 minutes, you can use mid-roll and skippable ads if your viewers prefer flexibility. 
• Bumper and non-skippable ads can boost revenue but may affect watch time. 
• In-feed and Outstream ads work well on mobile devices. 

A balanced mix of ad types helps maintain viewer engagement while maximizing your channel’s earnings. 

Final Thoughts

Monetizing your YouTube channel is a great way to turn your content into steady income. 

With the right setup and smart use of ad formats, you can grow your earnings without hurting viewer experience. 

Explore all your options, test different ad formats, and stay updated with YouTube’s latest features. 

FAQs

What is the YouTube Partner Program?

The YouTube Partner Program allows creators to earn money from ads, channel memberships, Super Chats, and other monetization features on their videos.

What are the eligibility criteria for the YouTube Partner Program?

To be eligible, your channel must have at least 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

What are YouTube’s monetization policies?

YouTube’s monetization policies require your content to follow advertiser-friendly guidelines, copyright rules, and community standards to remain eligible for monetization.

Why are you seeing a “limited or no ads” status?

You see a “limited or no ads” status because your video may contain content unsuitable for most advertisers or violate YouTube’s ad-friendly guidelines.