Policies, Copyright and Getting Paid

Advertiser-friendly guidelines

To earn ad revenue, videos must be advertiser-friendly. Excessive profanity, violence, or controversial content can be demonetized (the yellow dollar icon) – the video stays up but earns little or nothing. Know the guidelines before you publish.

Copyright and Content ID

Only use music, clips and images you own or are licensed to use. YouTube's Content ID automatically detects copyrighted material; the owner may block your video, mute it, or take its revenue. Repeated copyright strikes can remove your channel entirely. Use royalty-free or licensed assets.

Community Guidelines strikes

Violating Community Guidelines earns strikes; three strikes in 90 days removes your channel. Strikes also block you from the Partner Program, so protect your channel's standing carefully.

How you get paid

Earnings accumulate in your linked AdSense account. As with website AdSense, you verify your address with a mailed PIN, and you are paid monthly once your balance passes the payout threshold (commonly $100). Complete your tax info so payments are not held.

Key points

• Keep videos advertiser-friendly or they get demonetized.
• Use only licensed assets; Content ID and copyright strikes are serious.
• Three Community Guidelines strikes in 90 days removes your channel.
• You are paid via AdSense after PIN verification and clearing the threshold.