YouTube pays you through AdSense, which collects money from ads and sends it to your bank account once a month

YouTube does not pay you directly. Instead, YouTube sends all your earnings — from ads on your videos, YouTube Premium revenue, or channel memberships — to Google AdSense, which is Google's payment system. AdSense holds your money until you reach a minimum threshold of $100, then deposits it to your bank account between the 21st and 26th of each month. The money comes from a real bank transfer, not a check or gift card.

Before you can receive any payment, you need an AdSense account linked to your YouTube channel. YouTube will not let you turn on monetization features until AdSense is set up and approved. This approval process can take a few days to a few weeks, and YouTube reviews your channel to make sure it follows their policies.

Key Takeaways

  • You must link an AdSense account to your YouTube channel before any money can be paid to you, and YouTube will review your channel before approving monetization.
  • YouTube holds your earnings until they reach $100, then deposits the full amount to your bank account once a month between the 21st and 26th.
  • You can see exactly how much you have earned and when your next payment is scheduled by logging into AdSense and checking your Payments page.
  • If your AdSense account is suspended or closed, YouTube stops paying you, and you lose access to any money still in your account.
  • Different countries have different tax forms and payment methods, so your setup depends on where you live and where your viewers are located.

Setting up AdSense and linking it to your YouTube channel

Go to AdSense.google.com and sign in with the same Google account you use for YouTube. Click "Sign up now" and fill in your personal information, including your legal name, address, phone number, and the country where you live. Google uses this information to send you tax forms and to verify your identity.

Once your AdSense account is created, go to your YouTube Studio. Click "Monetization" in the left menu, then select "AdSense account." YouTube will show you a list of AdSense accounts linked to your Google account. Select the one you just created. YouTube will then review your channel to make sure it meets their monetization policies — this means checking that your videos do not contain copyrighted material you do not own, that you follow community guidelines, and that you have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months (or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days if you are monetizing Shorts).

This review can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. You will see a notification in YouTube Studio when your channel is approved. Once approved, you can turn on monetization features like ads, channel memberships, and Super Chat.

Understanding the $100 minimum and payment timing

AdSense does not pay you until your total earnings reach $100. This is called the payment threshold. If you earn $75 in a month, that money stays in your AdSense account and rolls over to the next month. Once your balance hits $100 or more, AdSense will pay you in the following month.

Payments are sent between the 21st and 26th of each month, but only if you have reached the $100 threshold. The exact date varies because payments are processed in batches. The money goes directly to the bank account you registered with AdSense. You should see it in your account within 3 to 5 business days after it is sent, depending on your bank.

If you have not reached $100 by the end of the year, your balance carries over to January. You do not lose the money — it just waits until you earn enough to trigger a payment.

Checking your earnings and payment history in AdSense

Log into your AdSense account and click "Payments" in the left menu. You will see your current balance — the money you have earned but not yet been paid. Below that is a section called "Payment history," which shows every payment you have received, the date it was sent, and the amount.

You can also see a breakdown of where your money came from. Click "Earnings" to see how much you made from ads, YouTube Premium revenue, channel memberships, Super Chat, and other features. This is useful if you want to know which videos or features are making you the most money.

If a payment shows as "Sent" but you have not received it in your bank account after 5 business days, contact your bank first — sometimes payments are delayed on their end. If your bank says they have not received it, you can contact AdSense support through your account.

Adding and verifying your bank account

Before AdSense can send you money, you need to add a bank account. In your AdSense account, click "Payments" and then "Payment methods." Click "Add payment method" and select "Bank account." Enter your bank's routing number, your account number, and the name on the account exactly as it appears at your bank.

After you add your bank account, AdSense will send two small deposits to verify that the account is real and that you own it. These deposits usually arrive within 3 to 5 business days. The amounts are random and very small — often less than $1 each. Check your bank statement, find these two deposits, and go back to AdSense. Enter the exact amounts of both deposits to confirm the account. Until you verify, AdSense will not send you payments.

If you change banks or want to use a different account, you can add a new payment method the same way. You will need to verify the new account with the two-deposit process again.

Tax forms and what happens if you live outside the United States

If you live in the United States, AdSense will ask you to fill out a W-9 form before your first payment. This is a tax form that tells the IRS you are self-employed and earning income from YouTube. You fill it out once in your AdSense account, and it stays on file.

If you live outside the United States, you will fill out a W-8BEN form instead. This form tells the IRS that you are a non-U.S. resident and may reduce the amount of tax withheld from your payments. The form asks for your country of residence, your tax ID number (if your country requires one), and your signature. Different countries have different requirements, so check with your local tax authority about what you need to provide.

You must complete your tax form before AdSense will send you any money. If you do not fill it out, your payments will be held until you do. You can update your tax information anytime in your AdSense account under "Tax information."

What happens if your AdSense account is suspended or closed

If YouTube or AdSense finds that you have violated their policies — for example, by clicking your own ads, using fake engagement, or uploading copyrighted content — they can suspend or close your AdSense account. When this happens, you stop earning money when ready, and you lose access to any balance you have not yet been paid.

A suspension is temporary. AdSense will tell you why your account was suspended and what you need to do to get it back. You might need to remove certain videos, stop a certain behavior, or wait a set amount of time. Once you fix the problem, you can request to have your account reinstated.

A closure is permanent. AdSense will not reopen a closed account, and you cannot create a new AdSense account with the same person or the same YouTube channel. If your account is closed, any money you earned but were not yet paid is forfeited. This is why it is important to follow YouTube's monetization policies and avoid any behavior that could trigger a review.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get paid after I reach $100?

Payments are sent between the 21st and 26th of the month following the month you reach $100. So if you hit $100 in January, you will be paid in February. The money should arrive in your bank account within 3 to 5 business days after AdSense sends it.

Can I change my bank account after I have already been paid?

Yes. Go to your AdSense account, click "Payments," then "Payment methods," and add a new bank account. You will need to verify it with the two-deposit process again. Future payments will go to the new account.

What if I do not have a bank account?

AdSense requires a bank account to send payments. If you do not have one, you will need to open one before you can receive money from YouTube. Some countries offer alternative payment methods like checks or wire transfers, but these are less common and may have higher fees.

Can I get paid in a different currency?

AdSense pays you in the currency of your country. If you live in the United States, you are paid in U.S. dollars. If you live in another country, you are paid in that country's currency. You cannot choose a different currency, but your bank may offer currency conversion if you want to move the money to an account in a different country.

What if I earned money but my account was closed before I was paid?

If your AdSense account is closed, any unpaid balance is forfeited. You cannot recover it. This is why it is important to keep your account in good standing and make sure you reach the $100 threshold before any action is taken against your account.