Monetizing your YouTube channel by reaching 4000 hours of watch time is a coveted goal for creators. However, it’s not an easy feat to accomplish. While gaining 100 hours is achievable, accumulating thousands requires determination and strategic video creation. In this article, we will explore the videos that may hinder your progress and provide tips on how to maximize your watch time.
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The Importance of 4000 Watches Time Hours:
Once you achieve 4000 watch time hours, the path becomes smoother. You’ll be one step closer to qualifying for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which enables you to monetize your channel through advertisements. Additionally, having those valuable hours allows you to focus on another crucial milestone: attaining 1,000 subscribers, another requirement for YPP eligibility.
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Understanding YPP Watch Time Eligibility:
While striving to collect watch time hours, it’s essential not to overlook certain aspects of the process. One major aspect that often goes unnoticed is that not all watch hours contribute to the YPP threshold. Let’s examine the five types of videos that are ineligible for YPP watch time:
1. Videos Set to Private or Unlisted:
In the past, private and unlisted videos counted towards YPP watch time. However, YouTube revised its policy in 2019, making public videos the sole contributors to watch hours. To ensure progress towards the 4000-hour milestone, prioritize making your videos public. Unlisted videos, which can only be viewed with a specific link, serve more specific purposes such as sharing content with a limited audience or hosting webinars.
To set private or unlisted videos to the public on YouTube, follow these steps:
1.Log into YouTube on your desktop and click on your profile icon.
2. Select “YouTube Studio” from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on “Content” in the left navigation menu.
4. Locate the videos you want to make public and find the “Visibility” column.
5. Click on the eyeball symbol, which reveals a menu with options: private, unlisted, members only, and public.
6. Choose “Public” and click “Publish.”
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2. Deleted Videos:
When you delete a video, YouTube deducts the corresponding watch time from your total. Suppose your channel has accrued 2,000 watch hours, and you delete a video that contributed 500 hours. In that case, your watch time will reduce to 1,500 hours. Before removing any videos, consider the number of watch hours they have accumulated and evaluate if the removal is worth the loss.
3. Advertising Campaigns:
Creating video ads for YouTube does not count toward YPP watch time. Even if you’ve earned 10,000 watch hours through advertising campaigns, none of it will contribute to the required 4000 hours. This policy ensures that ads, which can generate millions of views, do not serve as a shortcut to monetization.
4. YouTube Shorts:
YouTube Shorts, short and vertical videos, are not monetized, as clarified by YouTube a few months ago. Additionally, watch time from Shorts does not contribute to the 4000-hour goal. However, it’s worth noting that Shorts viewed on the Shorts shelf do not earn YPP watch hours, but if viewed on a regular watch page with ads and a comment section, they can earn eligible watch time. While Shorts may not lead to rapid monetization, utilizing this loophole can still accumulate valuable seconds of watch time.
5. Unconverted Live Streams
Unconverted Live Streams are a great way to increase your Watch Time. These videos are usually lengthy, and if people stick around until the end, you can add several hours to your analytics. According to YouTube, live streams that aren’t converted to video-on-demand content won’t earn YPP watch hours. The information around this is pretty vague, so we’d suggest making sure your live streams are public when they’ve ended. Don’t archive a live stream by setting it to unlisted or private.
What is the requirement for monetizing a YouTube channel?
To monetize your YouTube channel, you must reach 4000 hours of watch time and have at least 1,000 subscribers.
Do all watch hours count towards the 4000-hour requirement?
No, not all watch hours count toward the 4000-hour threshold. Certain videos, such as private, unlisted, deleted, advertising campaigns, and YouTube Shorts, do not contribute to the required watch time.
Can private or unlisted videos help reach the 4000-hour threshold?
No, private and unlisted videos do not count toward the watch time requirement for monetization. It is essential to prioritize public videos if you aim to accumulate the necessary watch hours.
What happens if I delete a video with watch time hours?
When you delete a video, the watch time hours contributed by that video are deducted from your total. It is advisable to consider the number of watch hours before deleting a video to avoid losing precious progress.
Can watch time from advertising campaigns be counted towards the 4000-hour goal?
No, watch time from advertising campaigns does not count toward the 4000-hour requirement. YouTube does not consider ad-generated views for monetization eligibility.