An overview of video monetization for YouTube, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok

Video monetization earns content creators a living, but how does it work? Let’s learn how to monetize YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok videos.

What is ‘monetizing your videos?’

Video monetization basically means generating income from your content. Usually, content creators earn money as their videos rack up more views and engagement – unless you’re a mega-star or an actual celebrity, in which case you might be offered an ‘X videos for X dollars’ deal from a third party. But if you do fall into that bracket, you probably don’t need to read this. Go enjoy your yacht!

Video monetization is often done passively, which means that once it’s set up, the earnings trickle in, rather than in one lump. Different platforms offer different rates, which is why you might see someone post the same video on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. If you’re serious about content creation and want to make it your full-time job, video monetization is one of the first steps you should take.

How much do monetized videos make?

As mentioned, video monetization rates vary from platform to platform. If you make money solely from ad revenue, the payouts are usually pretty small – you’re looking at a few hundred dollars per year, if your videos perform decently. It’s not megabucks, but it’s something. Keep reading for the video monetization details regarding YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Monetize video on YouTube

YouTube was the first mainstream avenue for earning money with online videos, and remains the second most-visited website on the planet. Monetization is relatively simple, too. You just need to be signed up for the YouTube Partner Program, which requires 1,000 followers and at least 4,000 video views in the past 12 months.

However, if you’re solely relying on advertising revenue, you’d need to generate around a million views per month before quitting your job and creating YouTube content full-time. It’s not exactly a piece of cake, but it’s not the only way. Here are all the other methods to monetize video on YouTube.

• Super Chat, Super Stickers & Super Thanks: Fun little stickers viewers can buy and donate, netting the creator 70% of the total price.
• Merch sales: Showing off your merch in-video, or at the very least pointing viewers to a link, can help top up the bank.
• Use affiliate links: Offer users a unique link, provided by an affiliate marketer. Make sure it’s relevant, though – it would look a bit weird if a vegan cooking channel linked to an offer on leather chairs. 
• Channel membership: Gives viewers the chance to subscribe for bonus content and perks on your channel for a monthly fee. 
• Third-party subscription platforms: Like Patreon, Buy Me A Coffee, etc.
• YouTube Shorts: Bite-sized videos with monetization opportunities. Read more about YouTube Shorts here.

To learn more about YouTube video monetization, dig into our complete guide here.

Facebook video monetization

Facebook is one of the oldest social media channels, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. In fact, Facebook video monetization is big business – four billion video views happen every day on the platform.

Here are the different ways to benefit from Facebook video monetization.

• In-stream ads. Passively earning money as ads roll through your videos would be the dream, but it’s no walk in the park. You need at least 10,000 followers and – sit down for this one – 600,000 minutes of viewed video over the past 60 days. 
• Brand Collabs Manager: This gives brands the chance to work with you on a paid basis. You need at least 1,00 followers, plus either 15,000 post engagements, 180,000 minutes viewed, or 30,000 one-minute views of three-minute videos in the last 60 days.
• Subscriptions: Like YouTube, Facebook offers a paid-for subscription service. If users sign up via desktop, creators receive 100% of the money, minus any taxes. This requires 10,000 followers and 50,000 post engagements in the last 60 days.

If you want to dive into Facebook video monetization a little more, check out our complete guide here.

Instagram video monetization

Instagram is owned by Meta, Facebook’s parent company. As such, there are tons of ways to earn on the platform. Check out the different paths to Instagram video monetization below.

• Partner with brands. It’s not uncommon for micro-influencers to earn a few hundred dollars for a sponsored post.
• Enable Badges on Instagram Live. Just like YouTube, Instagram offers tokens that viewers can send to their favorite creators. These can be earned during Live videos and exchanged for real money. 
• In-stream ads. Just like Facebook, you can enable ads to roll through your videos. 
• Sell your merch. The Instagram Shopping button section makes it easier than ever to peddle your wares. 
• Receive Bonuses. The main bonuses are available through Reels, where you can earn money by racking up views during a specific timeframe.
• Use affiliate links. Just like we mentioned for YouTube!

There isn’t a set number determining when you can start earning money on Instagram, but 1,000 followers and good engagement are generally accepted as the starting point. For an all-singing, all-dancing how-to on Instagram video monetization, head over here.

Can a one-minute video be monetized?

We’re sure you’ve heard all kinds of stories about limits on video monetization. The video has to be a certain length, you won’t be paid unless people click a link – there are a lot of rumors out there, and the best way to debunk them is to research the specific platform you’re thinking about.

When it comes to short-form videos, like one-minute, 30-second, or even shorter, you can absolutely monetize them. One case in point is TikTok. Let’s learn a little more about that below.

TikTok video monetization

TikTok’s been hot property since it launched globally in 2017. It may be newer than the likes of YouTube and Instagram, but there are still a bunch of ways you can achieve TikTok video monetization. Here’s how.

• Creator Next. Similar to the tipping services on YouTube and Instagram, Creator Next allows viewers to reward their favorite creators. 
• Partner with a brand. Sponsored posts can clean up in terms of cash, as long as they align with your content and make sense to your audience.
• TikTok Pulse. This is an ad-based tool, but you need 100,000 followers. Not one we’d recommend for beginners, in that case!

To enable TikTok video monetization with Creator Next, you must have reached more than 1,000 views on three or more videos in the past 30 days. If you want to learn more, check out our article about how to make money on TikTok.

One crucial step in video monetization is choosing the perfect music and ensuring you have the rights to use it. You can do this with Epidemic Sound.

Our catalog is high-quality, affordable, and safe. An Epidemic Sound subscription goes beyond royalty-free music, removing the headache of licensing and freeing you up to do what you do best. You can enjoy the safety of our license hand-in-hand with our massive catalog of 50,000 tracks, covering just about every genre you can think of. You’ll also gain unlimited access to our advanced search functions — finding the right sound’s never been easier. 

It’s better than royalty-free. It’s worry-free. Get started with Epidemic Sound below.

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