How Do Owners Profit From YouTube?

Video Descriptions

Video owners uploading their content to YouTube enter a description for each video. The description may include a website address or other contact information. For example, if a company makes a video of a product demonstration, the company may include in the video description its online Web address, a link to a sales letter or even a phone number to place orders.

Google AdSense

Google runs the AdSense ad service. Website owners use AdSense to display ads purchased from Google. The owners earn a share of the profits each time a visitor clicks on an ad. Although YouTube members do not actually own YouTube, they can still use their AdSense account to place ads inside their videos. When people watching the videos click on an ad, the video owner earns a commission. To use this method, you need to get accepted as a YouTube Partner.

Renting Videos

Producers of original content can also use the YouTube Partner program to rent out their videos for streaming purposes. Using the instructions provided after being accepted into the program, owners use Google Checkout payment buttons to rent out their original content. You must have a Google Checkout business account to offer your videos for rent through YouTube. Google Checkout is the company's online service for payment processing.

YouTube Partner Qualifications

To become a YouTube Partner, you must post original content deemed suitable by YouTube for its video streaming services. You must either own all content or have permission from the copyright holder to post the content and earn money from it. The program is also looking to see if you are a regular user who has videos with thousands of visitors. However, YouTube does not say exactly how much of a following you need on your videos at the time of application. It makes partnership decisions on a case-by-case basis. You may also qualify if you produce videos and sell them through DVD stores or other outlets.

Embedded Text

There are several editing software products that allow owners to place text of their choice inside a video. These editors use the same kind of technology used to make credits that you see at the beginning and end of movies or TV shows. Owners can place sales messages, website addresses or contact information in the videos. This method tends to attract more eyeballs than simply posting sales messages in the video description because many viewers will never actually read the description. Examples of programs that can embed text include CyberLink Power Director, Adobe Premiere Elements, MAGIX Movie Edit Pro and VideoPad. Although prices vary, these video editors typically cost between $50 and $100.

Uploader Comments

Owners can also leave comments that appear near the top of the comments section on each video. They can include additional information there about products or websites associated with the owner.