Some viewers watch one of your videos and move on. Others watch everything you publish, leave comments every week, recognise your catchphrases and defend you in the comment section. That second group is special. They are your core community, and many of them would happily support you if you gave them an easy way to do it.
YouTube Channel Memberships is that easy way. For a monthly fee that you set, fans join your channel and receive perks such as badges, custom emoji, members-only videos and live chats. This guide walks you through everything: how memberships work, who can offer them, how to set them up, how to price your levels, what perks actually convince people to join and why some channels never get the feature switched on.
What Are YouTube Channel Memberships?
Channel Memberships let viewers pay you a recurring monthly amount in exchange for perks you offer. Members get a “Join” button experience, a loyalty badge next to their name in comments and live chat, access to custom emoji and whatever extra content you decide to give them.
Memberships are one of YouTube’s fan funding features, alongside Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks. The difference is that memberships repeat automatically every month until the member cancels, which makes them far more predictable than one-off tips.
What Members Typically Receive
| Perk | Description |
|---|---|
| Loyalty badges | Badges next to their name that change as membership length grows |
| Custom emoji | Channel-specific emoji to use in comments and live chat |
| Members-only videos | Full videos only members can watch |
| Members-only live streams | Private streams for members |
| Members-only posts | Community posts visible only to members |
| Members-only live chat | Chat restricted to members during streams |
| Early access | New videos released to members first |
| Shout-outs | Names mentioned in videos or credits |
Why Memberships Are Worth Offering
- Predictable income. Monthly recurring payments smooth out the ups and downs of ad revenue.
- Lower view dependency. A few hundred committed members can earn more than millions of low-RPM views.
- Stronger community. Members feel part of an inner circle and engage more.
- Available earlier. Memberships unlock at the 500-subscriber tier of the YouTube Partner Program, before full ad monetization.
Memberships vs Other YouTube Income
| Income type | Paid by | Frequency | Creator share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ads | Advertisers | Per view | 55% (long-form), 45% of allocated pool (Shorts) |
| Channel Memberships | Fans | Monthly | 70% after applicable taxes and fees |
| Super Chat / Stickers | Fans | During lives and premieres | 70% after applicable taxes and fees |
| Super Thanks | Fans | On videos and Shorts | 70% after applicable taxes and fees |
| YouTube Premium | Premium members | Based on watch time | Share of Premium revenue |
Memberships combine the high 70% share with recurring billing, which is why they can quietly become one of a channel’s most valuable income sources.
YouTube Channel Memberships Eligibility
To offer memberships, your channel must first be in the YouTube Partner Program. The good news is that memberships are available from the early 500-subscriber tier.
YPP Entry Requirements
Early access tier (enough for memberships):
- 500 subscribers
- 3 valid public uploads in the last 90 days
- Either 3,000 qualified public watch hours in the last 12 months, or 3 million qualified public Shorts views in the last 90 days
Full monetization tier (also includes memberships):
- 1,000 subscribers
- Either 4,000 qualified public watch hours in the last 12 months, or 10 million qualified public Shorts views in the last 90 days
YouTube has announced that from February 1, 2027, new applicants for the full tier will need 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views, while the 500-subscriber fan funding tier is expected to stay the same.
Memberships-Specific Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| YPP status | Channel accepted into the YouTube Partner Program |
| Age | You must be 18 or older |
| Location | Channel based in a country where memberships are available |
| Audience setting | Channel not set as “made for kids”, and not too many videos marked made for kids |
| Music channels | Channels identified as music channels under certain licensing rules may not be eligible |
| Strikes | No active Community Guidelines strikes that block the feature |
| Policies | Follow YouTube’s monetization and memberships policies |
How to Set Up Channel Memberships: Step by Step
Step 1: Join YPP
From YouTube Studio > Earn, apply once you meet the thresholds. Accept the base terms, link your AdSense account and wait for approval.
Step 2: Accept the Commerce Product Addendum
Memberships and other fan funding features are covered by the Commerce Product Addendum. Accept it in the Earn section when prompted.
Step 3: Open the Memberships Tab
Go to YouTube Studio > Earn > Memberships and select Get started.
Step 4: Create Your Membership Levels
You can create up to five membership levels, each with its own price and perks. Start with one to three levels. Too many choices can confuse new members.
Step 5: Choose Prices
YouTube shows a list of available price points for your country. Pick prices that match the value of each level.
Step 6: Add Perks for Each Level
Assign perks to every level: badges, emoji, members-only posts, videos or live streams. Higher levels usually include everything from lower levels plus extras.
Step 7: Design Badges and Emoji
Upload loyalty badges for different membership lengths (for example 1 month, 6 months, 1 year) and custom emoji that reflect your channel’s personality. Good design encourages people to show off their status.
Step 8: Write a Welcome Message
Prepare a short welcome message thanking new members and explaining what they get.
Step 9: Launch and Promote
Announce memberships in a video, a live stream and a community post. Explain the perks clearly and show examples.
Step 10: Manage Your Members
Use the Memberships tab and your Members list to track who joined, send members-only content and fulfil any perks you promised.
Documents and Details You Need
- A Google account with 2-Step Verification
- An approved AdSense account in your legal name
- Tax information (W-8BEN for most non-US creators, W-9 for US creators)
- Bank account for AdSense payments
- Verified address (PIN mailed by Google)
How to Price Your Membership Levels
A common and effective structure uses three levels:
| Level | Example price | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Supporter | $0.99 to $1.99 | Badge, custom emoji, members-only posts |
| Insider | $4.99 | Everything above plus members-only videos and early access |
| VIP | $9.99 to $19.99 | Everything above plus monthly members-only live Q&A and shout-outs |
The lowest level should be easy to say yes to. It turns casual fans into members. The middle level usually becomes the most popular if its perks are clearly better. The top level is for superfans who want closer access.
For audiences in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa or South Asia, lower price points often convert better. YouTube shows local prices in many countries, which helps. For audiences in the US, UK and Europe, $4.99 is a comfortable middle price for many creators.
How Much Can You Earn From Memberships?
You keep 70% of membership revenue after applicable local sales taxes and app store fees where relevant. Here is a simple illustration before taxes and fees:
| Members | At $0.99 | At $4.99 | At $9.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | $69 | $349 | $699 |
| 500 | $347 | $1,747 | $3,497 |
| 1,000 | $693 | $3,493 | $6,993 |
Most channels see roughly 0.5% to 2% of their regular viewers join, depending on how strong the perks are and how often the creator promotes them. A channel with 20,000 loyal monthly viewers might reasonably aim for 100 to 400 members.
Membership earnings are paid through AdSense together with your other YouTube income, typically between the 21st and 26th of the month once you pass the payment threshold.
Perks That Actually Convince People to Join
Not all perks are equal. The ones that work best share a common trait: fans feel closer to you or get something genuinely useful.
High-Value Perks
- Members-only live Q&A. Personal interaction is the most valued perk for many communities.
- Behind-the-scenes content. Bloopers, planning sessions and personal updates.
- Early access. Seeing videos 24 to 48 hours before everyone else.
- Practical resources. Templates, checklists, guides or scholarship lists for education and career channels.
- Voting power. Let members vote on future video topics.
Low-Effort but Loved Perks
- Creative loyalty badges that level up over time
- Fun custom emoji based on inside jokes
- Name shout-outs in videos or end credits
- A members-only badge colour in live chat
Perks to Avoid
- Promises you cannot deliver every month
- Perks that depend on outside platforms YouTube does not allow
- Anything that breaks YouTube policies, such as prizes that work like gambling
How to Grow Your Membership Base
- Explain the value clearly. Show examples of members-only content in a short promo video.
- Mention memberships naturally. A short reminder at the end of videos works better than long pitches.
- Thank members publicly. Recognition encourages others to join.
- Deliver on schedule. Post members-only content on predictable days.
- Use live streams. Members stand out in live chat, which inspires others.
- Try gifted memberships. In eligible regions, viewers can gift memberships to others in live chat, spreading your community quickly.
- Review your perks every few months. Ask members what they value and adjust.
A Sample Monthly Members Content Plan
| Week | Members-only content |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Early access to the main video of the month |
| Week 2 | Behind-the-scenes post or short video |
| Week 3 | Members-only live Q&A (30 to 60 minutes) |
| Week 4 | Poll for next month’s topics and a thank-you post |
Sticking to a simple rhythm like this prevents burnout and keeps members confident that their money is well spent.
Why Memberships Are Not Available on Some Channels
If you do not see the Memberships option, or it was turned off, these are the likely reasons:
- Not in YPP yet. Memberships require acceptance into the Partner Program.
- Under 18. The account owner must be an adult.
- Made for kids. Channels set as made for kids, or with many videos marked for kids, cannot offer memberships.
- Unsupported country. Memberships are not available in every YPP country.
- Music channel restrictions. Some channels classified as music channels under specific licensing rules are ineligible.
- Policy violations. Community Guidelines strikes or memberships policy breaches can disable the feature.
- Commerce addendum not accepted. You must accept the Commerce Product Addendum.
- Undelivered perks. Repeatedly failing to deliver promised perks can lead to action against the feature.
Staying Compliant
- Only promise perks you can deliver.
- Keep members-only content within YouTube’s Community Guidelines. Private content still follows the rules.
- Do not offer financial returns, lotteries or raffles as perks.
- Do not ask members to pay you again outside YouTube for the same perks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many subscribers do I need for channel memberships? Memberships are available from the 500-subscriber tier of YPP, provided you also meet the upload and watch-hour or Shorts-view requirements.
What percentage does YouTube take? Creators receive 70% of membership revenue after applicable local sales taxes and, where relevant, app store fees.
How many membership levels can I have? Up to five levels, each with its own price and perks.
Can I offer members-only Shorts or videos? Yes. You can make videos, live streams and posts available only to members, and some creators use members-only Shorts too where available.
Are memberships available in Nigeria and South Africa? Memberships are available in many YPP countries. Check your Earn tab in YouTube Studio to see if the feature is available for your channel.
Can viewers gift memberships? In eligible regions, viewers can buy gifted memberships during live streams to give to other viewers.
What happens if a member cancels? They keep access until the end of their current billing period, then lose their perks.
Can I change my prices later? Yes, but price changes can affect existing members, so plan carefully and communicate changes clearly.
Final Thoughts
YouTube Channel Memberships turn your most loyal viewers into steady monthly supporters. You do not need a huge audience. You need a genuine community and perks that make people feel closer to you or give them real value.
Join YPP at the 500-subscriber tier or above, accept the Commerce Product Addendum, create two or three clear levels, design fun badges and emoji, and deliver members-only content on a predictable schedule. Promote it gently and thank members often. Over time, memberships can become the calm, reliable part of your YouTube income that ad revenue can never quite be.
YouTube updates membership features, prices and eligibility from time to time. Always confirm the latest details in YouTube Studio and the YouTube Help Center.