Here's how quickly I reached YouTube’s new lower monetization standard

To call the march to YouTube monetization a grind would be a massive understatement.

Compared to this platform — where even the easily surpassed 100-follower requirement was torched this week — YouTube’s requirements are positively mountainous: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.

BUT, just as I was considering quitting the platform in frustration a couple of months back, some sweet relief arrived.

At the time, I knew I’d be able to reach the subscriber mark fairly soon.

I did so just last week:

The big moment #1. (Author’s image)

But those 4,000 watch hours still felt miles away.

The big cut

Fortunately, I think YouTube must have realized it was losing a lot of talented potential contributors by making it so onerous for people to get their fair share of revenue.

About a month and a half ago, the platform launched a new tiered system for monetization.

Yes, it would still require the 1,000 subs and 4,000 watch hours to get a share of ad revenue, but those reaching just 500 subs and 3,000 watch hours could get access to some money features like a tipping function and channel shop.

Small wins

For me, the most important thing was to confirm I could actually get approved for monetization ahead of reaching the ad tier.

After reaching the new, lower threshold of 3,000 watch hours over the weekend, I submitted my application and held my breath.

And I was overjoyed to get this email bright and early on Monday morning:

The big moment #2. (Author’s image)

The timeline

OK, so how long did it take to reach this point?

First of all, I think it’s important to point out that it isn’t so much about the tipping function and stuff like that for me.

It’s about setting a goal and reaching it.

Not long ago, I was ready to quit. I felt like

I was running out of oxygen on this YouTube journey.

The new monetization tier provided a base camp where I could recharge, catch my breath, and make the final push to the summit.

To get there, it took:

• Exactly 40 videos

• Exactly 10 months

The YouTube play button on a pile of cash. (Digital art credit: James Julian/DallE2)

Hey, if you want to follow my journey, why not subscribe to my YouTube channel? If you’re a writer here, I bet you’ll find something of value!