YouTube Partner Program

 When You Get Paid as a YouTube Partner: A Detailed Guide

If you're a creator in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), understanding the payment process is essential for managing your revenue. The process of getting paid on YouTube involves two phases: the setup phase and the ongoing payment phase. Here, we will break down each step of the process, from initial setup to regular payments, to help you navigate your YouTube payment experience smoothly.

### Phase 1: Setup for Payment

#### Step 1: Setting Up Your AdSense Account

To join the YouTube Partner Program, you'll first need to set up an AdSense account linked to your YouTube channel. This account is where your earnings will be processed, and it’s essential to ensure all details are accurate for receiving payments.

#### Step 2: Reaching the Verification Threshold

Once your YouTube earnings reach USD 10 (or the equivalent amount in your local currency), you’ll be prompted to begin the verification process. This threshold must be met before any payments can be made.

#### Step 3: Identity Verification

At this point, you will need to verify your identity by submitting a government-issued photo ID. You can do this by visiting the "Earn" page in YouTube Studio, where you'll receive a notification when verification is required. It's important to complete this step within 45 days, as failure to do so will result in your channel's monetization being suspended.

#### Step 4: Verifying Your Address with a PIN

After verifying your identity, you'll be required to confirm your payment address. Google will send a 6-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to your address, which usually takes between 2 to 4 weeks to arrive, depending on your location. If it hasn’t arrived after 4 weeks, you should verify that your account details, including your address, are correct. If necessary, you can request a new PIN up to 3 times. However, you must enter the correct PIN within 4 months of its first generation, or your channel’s monetization will be temporarily suspended.

#### Step 5: Adding Tax and Payment Information

Once your identity and address are verified, you must provide your tax information, regardless of where you live. In your AdSense account, navigate to "Payments" and update your tax details under "Manage Tax Information." You will also need to select a payment method, such as an electronic funds transfer (EFT), bank transfer, or check, depending on what’s available in your country.

It's important to note that your earnings must exceed USD 10 before you can choose a payment method. Additionally, there may be a delay between reaching this threshold and being able to complete the payment setup. This is because YouTube processes earnings between the 7th and 12th of the following month. For example, if you reach USD 10 in January, you’ll only be able to proceed with payment setup between February 7th and 12th.

### Phase 2: Ongoing Payment Schedule

#### Step 1: Reaching the Payment Threshold

Once your payment information is set up, you’ll need to accumulate enough earnings to reach the payment threshold, which is USD 100 for creators in the US. This threshold varies depending on your country and currency. You can track your progress toward this threshold using the "Earning Center" in YouTube Studio.

#### Step 2: Monthly Payment Cycle

Payments are issued monthly, but only if your earnings have reached or surpassed the payment threshold by the end of the month. For example, if your total earnings hit USD 100 in January, YouTube will issue a payment between the 21st and 26th of February. The actual date you receive your payment depends on the method you’ve chosen.

- **Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT):** Typically takes 4 to 10 days to arrive.

- **Bank Transfers:** Can take up to 15 working days.

- **Payments by Check:** Could take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.

#### Step 3: Tracking Your Payments

To track the status of your payment, eligible creators can use YouTube Studio’s mobile app, where the "Earn" page will display whether a payment is pending. You can also check the status in your AdSense account, though it may take longer for updates to appear there. In AdSense, you’ll see a "Pending Payment" line between the 21st and 26th of the month after earnings are processed.

#### Understanding Differences in YouTube Analytics and Payments

It’s common to notice discrepancies between the earnings shown in YouTube Analytics and the actual payment you receive. YouTube Analytics offers an estimate, which can fluctuate due to changes in channel activity, tax deductions, and billing adjustments. The final payment amount is determined after these adjustments and will be reflected in your official payment in AdSense or YouTube Studio’s mobile app.

Payments may also vary due to several factors:

- **Invalid Traffic or Content ID Claims:** These can affect your total earnings before payment is issued.

- **Data Latency:** Payments may take time to reflect recent earnings.

- **Currency Conversion:** For creators paid in a currency other than USD, fluctuations in exchange rates could impact the final payment amount.

In conclusion, getting paid as a YouTube creator requires completing several important steps, including verifying your identity, address, and tax information, as well as setting up a payment method. Once these are complete, you’ll need to reach the minimum payment threshold of USD 100 (or the equivalent in your currency) before YouTube issues payments, which follow a monthly cycle. Always use YouTube Studio’s "Earn" page to track your progress and payment status.

For more detailed guidance on each part of this process, refer to official YouTube resources.