I Turned On YouTube Monetization - Then This Happened!

I reached a milestone in my YouTube journey when I became eligible to monetize my channel. I had the necessary views and subscribers, so I decided to turn on monetization. Over the past few months, I've been closely monitoring the impact this decision has had on my views, subscriber count, and watch time.

To understand the changes, I dove into my YouTube Studio analytics. I noticed some shifts that surprised me. While I did start earning revenue, I also observed a drop in subscriber growth and a slight decrease in views. This has made me question whether monetization aligns with my goal of growing my channel and business.

Key Takeaways

• Channel monetization can affect subscriber growth and views.
• YouTube Studio analytics are essential for tracking changes.
• Assess if monetization or channel growth fits your strategy.

Eligibility for Monetization

To be eligible to monetize your YouTube channel, you need to meet certain criteria. First, your channel must have at least 1,000 subscribers. Additionally, you need to accumulate 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. This means that viewers have watched a total of 4,000 hours of your content over the last year.

Once you've met these requirements, you can switch on monetization in YouTube Studio. To do this:

1. Go to YouTube Studio.
2. Click on the "Earn" tab.
3. Follow the steps to turn on monetization.

You'll also need to set up a Google AdSense account to receive payments. This involves some back and forth to verify your identity and business location.

Here's a quick summary of the requirements and process:

Monetizing your channel can lead to additional revenue, but be prepared for the verification steps required by AdSense. Once your account is set up and verified, you can start earning from ads placed on your videos.

Monetization Activation Process

To start monetizing your YouTube channel, you need to set up an AdSense account. First, you need to ensure your channel has 1,000 subscribers and the required watch time over the past year. Once you meet these criteria, navigate to the "Earn" tab in YouTube Studio, and toggle the monetization switch.

YouTube will guide you through the setup, which includes verifying your identity and authenticating your AdSense account. This part can be a bit cumbersome with back-and-forth communication, but it's essential for receiving ad revenue.

After activating monetization, you will start earning from ads placed on your videos. For example, I received my first payment of £128 after about three months. It's important to monitor your channel's performance metrics such as views, watch time, and subscribers frequently to understand the impact of monetization.

Steps to Activate Monetization:

1. Ensure you have 1,000 subscribers and the required watch time.
2. Go to the "Earn" tab in YouTube Studio.
3. Toggle the monetization switch.
4. Set up and verify your AdSense account.
5. Start earning ad revenue.

Regularly reviewing your analytics is crucial. For instance, since turning on monetization, I noticed a decrease in my subscribers and growth rate, which might be linked to the activation of ads. This observation is vital for deciding if monetization aligns with your channel's goals.

YouTube Studio Analytics Overview

Earnings Tab Features

The Earnings tab in YouTube Studio provides essential information regarding monetization. Clicking on the Earnings tab allows me to see if my channel is monetized. It's also where I can check the number of subscribers and watch hours needed to qualify for monetization. For instance, it shows I need 1,000 subscribers and a specific amount of watch time over the past year. Once these criteria are met, I can enable monetization by flipping a switch. This section is very helpful in tracking progress towards earning through my channel.

Tracking Income and Channel Success

I closely monitor my channel analytics to understand revenue and performance. After enabling ads on March 30th, I began earning money and have observed various changes in my metrics. My first payment from YouTube arrived today, amounting to £128 for a month's worth of ad revenue. Although setting up an AdSense account took some back-and-forth, I am now receiving regular payments. Reviewing my earnings is a key part of assessing my channel's success.

Comparing Metrics Before and After Monetization

I analyzed data from both before and after monetizing my channel to see any changes. Before monetization in February, my channel had 14,000 views, 744 watch hours, and gained 130 subscribers. After turning on ads at the end of March, I noticed a slight decline in these metrics. For example, in April, I gained only 129 subscribers, which was less than in February and March. By May, the growth further slowed to 100 new subscribers. This observation suggests that enabling ads might have impacted my channel's growth rate. Despite earning ad revenue, I am now weighing whether the potential slowdown in subscriber growth aligns with my broader goals for the channel.

Examining Channel Growth Patterns

Trends in Subscribers Before and After Monetization

When I first considered monetizing my YouTube channel, I carefully tracked my subscriber growth. Before turning on ads, back in February, I had 14,000 views and 130 new subscribers. Each month, the number of subscribers grew steadily. In March, just before monetizing, I reached 147 new subscribers.

After flipping the monetization switch on March 30th, things changed. For April, the subscribers dropped slightly to 129. By May, they fell further to 100. This decline caught my attention quickly because my goal was to grow my channel. It seemed that monetization had a noticeable impact on my subscriber growth.

• February: 14,000 views, 130 new subscribers
• March: 147 new subscribers (pre-monetization)
• April: 129 new subscribers
• May: 100 new subscribers

Analysis of Views and Watch Time

The trend wasn't just noticeable in subscriber counts. I also saw changes in views and watch time. Before monetizing, my views increased every month. After turning on ads, I noticed a slight plateau and even a small dip. From March 30th to mid-June, my views only dropped about 3%.

My watch time followed a similar trend. While there wasn't a drastic drop, the increase I was seeing month-to-month before monetization seemed to slow down. This decrease in engagement metrics hinted that ads might be affecting viewer behavior.

• Pre-monetization: Monthly growth in views and watch time
• Post-monetization: Plateau and slight decrease in views
• Current Watch Time: Slightly lower

Monitoring these dynamics has been crucial for understanding how monetization influences my channel's growth. While some might consider the revenue earned a positive outcome, the potential impact on long-term channel growth is significant. Monetization led to a slowing growth rate and decreased engagement, prompting me to reassess the overall strategy.

Assessing the Influence of Making Money

Balancing Income and Growth Choices

After turning on ads, I started to get some income from my YouTube channel. In the first 90 days, the total revenue amounted to $349. When deciding to monetize, I noticed some changes in my channel's performance.

Before I monetized, in February I had 14,000 views, 744 watch hours, and gained 130 subscribers. In March, this number grew to 147 subscribers. However, after I enabled monetization at the end of March, things seemed to change. In April, subscribers dropped to 129, and in May, they went down further to 100.

Setting Priorities: Income or Growing the Audience?

The drop in subscribers was a big warning for me. While my views and watch time showed a slight decrease, the decline in subscribers was more notable, down by 21%. I had been seeing steady growth before ads, but now it seemed to slow down.

This shift made me think hard about my goals. Is it more important to make some money now by displaying ads, or is it better to focus on growing my channel and attracting more subscribers, which could bring more leads for my business?

My first payment from YouTube was £18. Although it might grow over time, making about £128 per month is not what I aim for. My goal is to build a thriving business using my channel as a tool to drive leads to my website. If monetizing the channel hampers this growth, I need to reconsider if it is the right move for my long-term vision.

Using Analytical Tools

Leveraging vidIQ for Detailed Insights

I rely on vidIQ to keep a close eye on my channel's performance. This tool helps me track various metrics, including views, watch time, and subscriber growth. When I flipped the switch to monetize my channel on March 30th, I noticed some interesting patterns.

Initially, my monthly subscriber numbers were climbing steadily. Before monetization, in February, I gained 130 subscribers, which increased to 147 in March. However, after enabling ads, a noticeable decline occurred. By April, subscribers dropped to 129, and in May, they further decreased to 100. These stats were alarming, as they indicated a significant slowdown in my channel's growth.

To get more precise data, I use vidIQ to analyze the period from March 30th to June 12th. Despite a slight 3% decrease in views, the most concerning was the 21% drop in subscribers. This decline is crucial for anyone looking to grow their YouTube channel sustainably.

Predicting Income with Google AdSense

Setting up my Google AdSense account was essential for monetizing my channel, but it wasn't straightforward. The process involved multiple steps to verify my identity and business information. Once it was set up, I started earning ad revenue.

For the first 90 days after turning on monetization, my total earnings amounted to $349. It's important to note that my first payment from YouTube, received three hours ago, was £18 for one month. This translates to roughly £128 per month, which may seem modest but can add up over a year.

While this income is a benefit, it's crucial to consider the impact on channel growth. Since turning on ads, there has been a noticeable drop in new subscribers. This raises an important question: is monetization worth it if it slows down your channel's growth? For me, growing a robust business through my YouTube channel takes priority.

Lead Generation and Monetization Strategy

When I decided to turn on monetization for my YouTube channel, my goal was more than just earning ad revenue. I wanted to use my channel as a lead generation tool to grow my business. I closely monitored how this change affected my views, watch time, and subscriber count.

Effects on Views and Subscribers

After monetizing, I noticed a small decline in my views and watch time. Before monetization, my subscribers were increasing month-to-month, but I saw a significant drop after flipping the switch. In February, I gained 130 subscribers, in March it went up to 147, but after turning on ads at the end of March, it dropped to 129 in April and further down to 100 in May.

Revenue vs. Growth

For the first nearly 90 days of monetization, my channel earned $349. While this might seem like a decent start, it's important to consider the impact on channel growth. The slowdown in subscriber count and views raised a red flag for me. My primary aim is to invite people into my world and convert them into leads, not just earn ad revenue.

Using Tools for Insights

I utilized tools like vidIQ and my YouTube Studio analytics to track changes meticulously. These tools helped me understand the implications of my decisions, but the overall trend pointed to a slowdown in growth after monetization.

Lead Generation and Business Growth

Capturing leads is vital for my business. I use Kajabi to manage this process. Unfortunately, I've seen a decrease in leads since turning on ads. This is concerning because fewer leads mean slower business growth.

To sum it up, the decision to monetize has not been straightforward. While I see some financial return, the notable decline in subscriber growth and leads compels me to rethink my strategy. My ultimate goal is to build a sustainable business through my channel, not just gain short-term earnings.

Final Thoughts

Choosing How to Earn Money From Your Channel

When I started monetizing my YouTube channel, I had to decide how I wanted to earn money. YouTube offers several ways to make money, but I focused on ad revenue. Setting everything up required an AdSense account, and there were many steps to verify my identity and location. Once I completed the process, I began to earn from ads, but it was not an easy start.

Ad Revenue and Business Goals

I noticed a significant change in my channel's performance after turning on ads. Before monetizing, my subscriber count was steadily increasing each month. After enabling ads, my subscriber growth slowed down. This was a concern because my main goal is to grow my business using my YouTube channel.

I reviewed my analytics carefully and saw a slight drop in views and watch time after monetizing. More importantly, the number of new subscribers decreased by about 21%. This drop is critical because fewer subscribers mean slower business growth.

To put things in perspective, I earned £128 in ad revenue for my first month. While this might seem like a decent amount, it raises a question: is the ad revenue worth the slowdown in channel growth? For some, earning money directly from YouTube might be the goal. For me, using YouTube to drive leads to my business is more important.

I need to balance earning ad revenue and maintaining my channel's growth to achieve my business objectives effectively.