As of my last update in January 2024, YouTube does not provide a direct way for viewers to see if a channel is monetized. However, you can still infer whether a YouTube channel is monetized by looking for certain indicators:
- Ads in Videos: If you see ads playing before, during, or after the videos on a channel, it’s likely that the channel is monetized. Monetized channels earn revenue from ads displayed on their videos.
- Channel Size and Content Quality: Monetization on YouTube typically requires channels to meet certain eligibility criteria, including having at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months. Therefore, larger channels with high-quality content are more likely to be monetized.
- Merchandise Shelf and Super Chat: Monetized channels may have features enabled such as the merchandise shelf (where they can sell branded merchandise) and Super Chat (where viewers can pay to have their messages highlighted during live streams).
- Membership and Channel Memberships: Some monetized channels offer channel memberships, allowing viewers to become paying members and access exclusive perks like badges, emojis, and members-only content.
- Affiliate Links and Sponsorships: Monetized channels often include affiliate links in their video descriptions and may have sponsored content or brand partnerships.
- About Section and Website Links: Check the channel’s “About” section and video descriptions for links to external websites, as monetized channels may promote their own products, services, or websites.
Please note that these are general indicators and may not apply to all channels. YouTube’s monetization policies and features may have been updated since my last training data in January 2024. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, you can visit YouTube’s official Help Center or Community Guidelines.
