The Think Media Podcast — Episode 480 New Ways to Make Money on YouTube in 2026!
Hosts: Sean Cannell, Nathan Eswine
Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the expanding landscape of YouTube monetization in 2026. Sean Cannell and Nathan Eswine break down both the latest and classic avenues to earn income on YouTube, discuss new eligibility requirements, and provide an exhaustive, up-to-date list of 18 different ways creators can make money on the platform. The tone is practical, encouraging, and focused on actionable strategies for creators at every stage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. YouTube’s Monumental Creator Payouts

• YouTube has paid creators over $100 billion in the last four years.
• The creator economy is set to 4x in the next seven years. (13:12)

2. Updated YouTube Partner Program Tiers (2026)

• Two Monetization Tiers:

  • Tier 1: Fan Funding
    • 500 subscribers
    • 3 public uploads in 90 days
    • EITHER 3,000 public watch hours (12 months) OR 3 million Shorts views (90 days)
    • Unlocks YouTube Shopping, Channel Memberships, and Fan Funding features.
  • Tier 2: Full YouTube Partner Program (ads)
    • 1,000 subscribers
    • 4,000 public watch hours (12 months) OR 10 million Shorts views (90 days)
    • Unlocks ad revenue and Premium revenue.
      (01:27) — Nathan: “The second higher tier... unlocks the ad revenue in the partner program. But this higher tier is going to require a thousand subscribers… or 10 million public shorts views in 90 days. And I just giggle a little bit because that’s just astronomical.”

• Technical requirements:

  • No community guideline strikes
  • Two-step verification must be enabled
  • Active AdSense account linked (02:35)

3. The Six Major Ways to Make Money on YouTube

[A] Advertising Revenue (AdSense)

• Requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time.
• Includes watch page ads and Shorts feed ads.

[B] YouTube Shopping (Integrated Affiliate & Merch)

• Available at 500 subscribers.
• Shoppable product links overlaid on videos or Shorts.
• Links can be for your own products or affiliate partners (e.g., Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Ulta).
• Creators earn affiliate commissions from purchases—even on unrelated items.
  (03:41) — Sean: “The more views and videos you’re getting out there, the more clicks on your YouTube shopping links, the more money you can make… We start seeing that people are buying dog food and... feminine hygiene products... and coloring pencils.”

[C] YouTube Premium Revenue

• Payout from YouTube Premium subscriptions based on minutes watched.
• Unlocks at the same tier as ads (1,000 subs).

[D] Channel Memberships

• Unlocks with 500 subscribers.
• Fans pay monthly for exclusive content, badges, perks, and access to members-only posts or live streams.
  (04:43) — Nathan: “This actually unlocks at the 500 subscriber threshold. So already you can begin building a community…”

(07:25) — Nathan: “YouTube will push your members only content for you... I won't lie, there have been times when I’ve seen content pushed from a channel...and I’m like, do I just do it?”

[E] Super Chat & Super Stickers

• Viewer “tips” via highlighted messages or stickers during live streams or premieres.
• Available at 500 subscribers. (08:48) — Sean: “Anybody that enjoys your content…might take advantage of this... Don’t despise small beginnings. Once you start earning money online like this...a little bit of money here and there can scale into a lot over time.”

[F] Super Thanks

• Viewer tips (like Super Chats, but for regular uploaded videos and Shorts, not just livestreams).
• Also unlocked at 500 subscribers.
• Even viewers who aren’t subscribers can give you “thanks” at any time, even on old content. (10:01) — Nathan: “Super Thanks is directly from one person who was just like, hey, thanks, you know, this was really helpful… That is so cool.”

4. YouTube’s Incentive Programs & Platform Support

• YouTube has run incentive programs for memberships and shopping (bonuses for signup and engagement).
• YouTube sometimes promotes members-only content, increasing conversions.
• YouTube takes about 30% of membership revenue, but also hosts and distributes the content.
• Creators advised to watch for backend notifications on special promotions. (05:45 – 07:25)

5. The Definitive List: 18 Ways to Make Money on YouTube (2026)

(14:26) Sean delivers a rapid-fire summary of all monetization methods, including new experimental options and features rolling out:

1. Partner Program Ads (long-form videos)
2. Shorts Revenue Sharing (ads on Shorts)
3. Channel Memberships
4. Super Chats
5. Super Stickers
6. Super Thanks
7. Merch Shelf / Merch Store (integrated physical product sales)
8. YouTube Shopping (affiliate shopping tools, external retailer links)
9. Brand Tagging on Shorts (direct brand offers, integrated analytics)
10. YouTube BrandConnect (official influencer-brand deal marketplace within YouTube)
11. Fan Funding via Thanks on Shorts (now available on Shorts, not just long form)
12. Live Stream Shopping (selling products in real time on live streams; major trend globally, growing in the US)
13. Creator Music (revenue sharing for licensed music)
14. Podcast Monetization (audio or video podcasts eligible for YPP and dynamic ads)
15. Dynamic Brand Insertions (retroactively insert sponsor spots into existing videos)
16. Dream Screen Ads (AI-generated backgrounds with sponsored content, still experimental)
17. YouTube Learning / Education Monetization (pilot for educational creators; additional revenues from YouTube Learning subscriptions, potentially big for educational/niche content)
18. Primetime Channels Revenue Share (earn commissions referring subscribers to streaming services)

(14:26 – 21:40: Sean: "In this list of 18 things, it’s just a whole nother income stream... But I think keep it simple. Don’t get too distracted by all these other opportunities, but also keep learning. Because what we’re seeing is this roadmap of opportunity…")

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the explosive growth of YouTube payments:
  "YouTube just announced at their 20th birthday party that they have paid creators over $100 billion over the last four years." — Sean (00:41)

• On the new eligibility tiers and high Shorts threshold:
  "10 million Shorts views in 90 days… I just giggle a little bit because that’s just astronomical... But more often than not, it’s still 1,000 subscriber, 4,000 hour watch time metrics." — Nathan (01:46)

• On diversified income through YouTube Shopping:
  "On our Think Media channel, we might link to a camera and it’s not that someone bought the camera. We start seeing that people are buying dog food… and all kinds of stuff. The more clicks… the more money you can make." — Sean (03:53)

• On the “sleeping giant” of channel memberships:
  “You could begin building a community at 500 subscribers... and your members can make recurring monthly payments… in exchange for access to special perks.” — Nathan (04:43)

• On Super Thanks' emotional rewards:
  “The YouTube check is like a company paying you… But this Super Thanks is directly from one person who was just like, hey, thanks… That is so cool.” — Nathan (10:41)

• On the value of adding value:
  “We underestimate the law of reciprocity… What can you do to control this? Dig deep in your research, your quality… Add massive value.” — Sean (11:44)

• On YouTube’s business model:
  “They are having regular, everyday people making free media for them… But we’re doing it because of the opportunity… The future looks bright and people aren’t going to leave being disappointed and discouraged from the platform.” — Sean (21:00)

Actionable Guidance for Creators

• Focus first on getting to 500 or 1,000 subscribers and the relevant watch time thresholds.
• Make use of the growing list of monetization tools—but don’t get overwhelmed: start simple and keep learning what's available.
• Always seek to add massive value to your audience; monetization opportunities expand as you grow.
• Watch for backend YouTube notifications about bonus programs and experimental features.
• Stay updated: the YouTube ecosystem is evolving rapidly—keep learning to maximize opportunities.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Partner Program Tiers & Requirements: 01:26-03:40
• YouTube Shopping & Affiliate Earnings: 03:41-04:43
• Channel Memberships Deep Dive: 04:43-07:25
• Super Chat/Thanks Insights: 08:48-11:44
• YouTube’s $100 Billion Creator Payout & Creator Economy Growth: 13:12-13:29
• Definitive List of 18 Ways to Earn: 14:26-21:40

Episode Takeaway

YouTube’s revenue opportunities for creators are broader and more accessible than ever. With new tiers lowering eligibility thresholds, a slew of innovative monetization features (from live shopping to dynamic sponsor insertions), and YouTube’s intense focus on creator satisfaction, now is a transformational time to grow and monetize your channel. Stay focused on creating value, keep learning, and leverage the platform’s evolving toolkit to build and scale your YouTube business.