Checked 12 Sep 2026
YouTube 3.4Gold 55 pts
The largest video platform, where the Partner Program shares ad revenue with creators and adds memberships, Super Thanks, and Shorts monetization.
- Free to joinNo sign-up fee
- Only in 138 countriesCheck yours below
- VettedScreens people before they join
- How you get paidBank transfer (AdSense)
- Work from homeOnline, from anywhere
- Public companyNASDAQ: GOOGL (Google)
- Since
- 2005 21 yrs
- Web rank
- #11 worldwide
Can you join YouTube?
Answer three questions and we check them against YouTube's sign-up rules.
Pick your country and age, tick what you have, then press Check. Your answer shows here and in “Can I join?” below.
YouTube is a video platform where anyone can register to start earning, and the work can be done remotely. Fees are Partner Program - 55% ad share, plus memberships, the minimum payout is $100 (AdSense payment threshold), earnings are typically paid out monthly, paid by the 21st-26th and you can withdraw via Bank transfer (AdSense). Founded in 2005, YouTube is based in San Bruno, California, United States and is publicly traded (NASDAQ: GOOGL (Google)). It is available in 138 countries.
Last updated
Getting paid
What the platform takes, when you get your money and how
Not verified yet: Payment protection Know the answer? Tell us
From the published fees above, before payment-processing, currency or withdrawal charges. Work out your own amount →
What people actually earn on YouTube
Sourced figures from the platform, filings and independent studies
Figures published by YouTube or by independent studies and surveys, as dated. Individual earnings vary widely.
What changed
Every update we made to this listing, with the page we checked
2 updates · latest Sep 12, 2026
What changed
Every update we made to this listing, with the page we checked
- Payout speed added: Monthly, paid by the 21st-26th source ↗
- Minimum payout added: $100 (AdSense payment threshold) source ↗
Every change we make to this listing, with the official page we checked. Recent updates across all platforms →
Our rating
Worked out from the facts on this page, the same way for every platform
Strong on track record and access. Weaker on fees.
- Fees1.5
- Getting paid2.3
- Access4.0
- Track record5.0
- Proof of earnings4.0
Not a review of service quality: a score from verified fees, payouts, access, track record and earnings data. How the rating works
Achievements
55 of 100 points from 8 of 14 achievements, Gold tier. Earned from verified facts, never paid for
Verified earningsA sourced figure for what people earn or are paid there+10
Why it matters You can judge the pay from a real number instead of the platform's own promises.
How we check We need a figure for what earners are paid, earn typically, or how many people earn, with a link to the filing, pay page or study it came from.
YouTube $32B+ paid in 2024 (2024)
Every platform with this badge →Free to joinNo fee to sign up+5
Why it matters Paying to join is a red flag on many work sites. This one costs nothing to start.
How we check The platform's sign-up and pricing pages show no fee to register as an earner.
YouTube free
Every platform with this badge →Clear feesPublishes its cut as a percentage+5
Why it matters You can work out what you keep before you start.
How we check The platform publishes its cut as a percentage on its pricing or help pages, which we record as a range when it is tiered.
YouTube 55%
Every platform with this badge →Top 10K websiteAmong the world's 10,000 most visited sites (Tranco)+5
Why it matters Big platforms have more clients and buyers, and a lot to lose from treating earners badly.
How we check The site ranks in the world's 10,000 most visited on the Tranco list, a research-grade ranking.
YouTube #11 worldwide
Every platform with this badge →10 years runningFounded at least 10 years ago+5
Why it matters Platforms that have lasted a decade are less likely to vanish with your balance.
How we check Its founding year, checked against company records, is at least 10 years ago.
YouTube Founded 2005
Every platform with this badge →20 years runningFounded at least 20 years ago+5
Why it matters Two decades of paying people is a strong track record.
How we check Its founding year, checked against company records, is at least 20 years ago.
YouTube Founded 2005
Every platform with this badge →Public companyListed on a stock exchange, with audited filings+5
Why it matters Listed companies publish audited accounts, so their finances and risks are public.
How we check The company has a stock ticker on a public exchange, with filings we can read.
YouTube NASDAQ: GOOGL (Google)
Every platform with this badge →Fully documentedFees, payouts, countries and company details all verified+15
Why it matters Everything you need to decide is verified here, not left as guesswork.
How we check Fees, payouts, minimum payout, who can join and the company details are all recorded from official pages.
Every platform with this badge →Open worldwideAccepts people from almost every country10
Why it matters Most earning platforms only take people from a handful of countries. This one lets almost anyone join.
How we check The platform's own terms or sign-up pages say it accepts people worldwide, with no more than eight countries left out.
YouTube Worldwide (program varies)
Every platform with this badge →Low cutTakes 10% or less of what you earn10
Why it matters More of every payment reaches you. Many marketplaces take 20% or more.
How we check The highest percentage the platform names in its published fees is 10% or less.
YouTube 55%
Every platform with this badge →Low payout barLets you cash out $10 or less5
Why it matters Small earnings are not left stuck in your account waiting for a high threshold.
How we check The platform's published minimum withdrawal is $10 or less, or it has no minimum.
YouTube $100 (AdSense payment threshold)
Every platform with this badge →Fast payoutsPays out instantly, daily or on demand5
Why it matters Money arrives when you need it, not weeks later.
How we check The platform says payouts are instant, same-day, daily or on demand.
YouTube Monthly, paid by the 21st-26th
Every platform with this badge →Payment protectionHolds or guarantees payment before you work10
Why it matters Something stops you working for nothing, such as client money held before the work starts.
How we check The platform publishes how it protects earners' payments: escrow, guaranteed pay or a dispute process.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for YouTube.
Every platform with this badge →Loved appA mobile app rated 4.5 or higher5
Why it matters A well-rated app usually means smooth day-to-day work and fewer payout problems.
How we check The platform's app is rated 4.5 or higher on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for YouTube.
Every platform with this badge →
How achievements and tiers work · Open any badge for the details
Can I join YouTube?
Age, countries, equipment and how sign-up works
Yes, if you pass its application and you are 18 or older and live in one of 138 countries.
You need reliable internet and an existing audience. You have to verify your ID. First payout: months.
Enter your country and age in the quick check and we will tell you here whether YouTube accepts you. Your answers stay on your device.
Check with my countryAge 18 or older
Open in138 countries
- Reliable internet
- An existing audience
- A government ID
- Sign upFree
- Application and vettingIncluding an ID check
- Do your first workJobs, tasks or sales
- First payoutMonths
Good to know: Partner Program needs 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours (12 months) or 10M Shorts views (90 days), and an AdSense account.
YouTube's official requirements ↗Every platform you can join →
How YouTube compares
Against similar platforms in our directory
- Founded in 2005, YouTube has been running for about 21 years — longer than 9 of the 12 social platforms we track with a known launch year.
Compared with the social platforms in our directory. See them all →
Is YouTube legit?
What we could verify about the company
YouTube is a real, operating platform. What we could verify:
- Operating since 2005 (21 years)
- Headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States
- Publicly traded (NASDAQ: GOOGL (Google))
- Has a Wikipedia article
- Among the world's top 1,000 websites by traffic (Tranco rank #11)
Listing last updated September 2026 · how we verify platforms · Missing or out of date? Tell us
YouTube in public records
Company filings, web traffic and app store data
- Website rank
- #11 worldwideAmong the top 1,000 sites (youtube.com)
- Founders
- Jawed Karim
- Industry
- Internet industry, online video platform
YouTube timeline
Founding, funding, milestones and news
-
Founded
YouTube founded by Steve Chen, Jawed Karim and Chad Hurley
Headquarters today: San Bruno, California, United States
-
Milestone
$32B+ paid in 2024
YouTube paid out more than $32 billion to its partners (creators, artists and media companies) globally in 2024.
Source ↗ -
Milestone
3M+ people earning
YouTube says more than 3 million people earn money through YouTube.
Source ↗ -
Milestone
55% of ad revenue
YouTube Partner Program creators earn 55% of revenue from ads shown on their videos plus YouTube Premium, once they reach 1,000 subscribers.
Source ↗ -
On FreelanceSites
Added to the FreelanceSites.net directory
Checked against its official pages before listing.
From the platform's own reports and press coverage we checked, plus company records on Wikidata. Know a milestone we're missing? Tell us
Guides
Step-by-step help for this platform
No step-by-step guide for YouTube yet. Browse all guides or find the right way to earn for you.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about YouTube
How much does YouTube charge?
YouTube fees: Partner Program - 55% ad share, plus memberships.
How do you get paid on YouTube?
YouTube pays out via Bank transfer (AdSense). Minimum payout: $100 (AdSense payment threshold). Timing: Monthly, paid by the 21st-26th.
Which countries is YouTube available in?
138 countries.
How much do people earn on YouTube?
YouTube paid out more than $32 billion to its partners (creators, artists and media companies) globally in 2024. YouTube says more than 3 million people earn money through YouTube. Individual earnings vary widely.
Is YouTube legit?
Yes, YouTube is a real, operating platform: operating since 2005 (21 years), headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States and publicly traded (NASDAQ: GOOGL (Google)). As with any platform, check its current terms before relying on it for income.
What are the best YouTube alternatives?
Similar platforms include Dailymotion, Rumble, Facebook and Instagram. Compare their fees and payouts in the alternatives section below.
Compare YouTube with…
YouTube alternatives
More social platforms like YouTube
DailymotionThe French video platform whose partner program shares ad revenue once a creator passes 1,000 profile views.
Fees Ad share after 1,000 profile viewsdailymotion.com
RumbleA video platform with creator-friendly monetization - immediate licensing options, a 60/40 ad split, and up to 90% for top partners.
Fees 60/40 ad split, up to 90% for partnersrumble.com
FacebookMeta flagship network, where creators earn through in-stream ads, Reels monetization, subscriptions, and Stars from fans.
Fees In-stream ads, Reels, Stars, subscriptionsfacebook.com
InstagramMeta photo and video network where creators earn through gifts, subscriptions, bonuses, and brand partnerships - program availability varies by region.
Fees Gifts, subscriptions, bonuses by regioninstagram.com
X (Twitter)The public conversation platform, sharing ads revenue with Premium creators and offering paid subscriptions to followers.
Fees Ads revenue sharing for Premium creatorsx.com
SnapchatA messaging and stories app where creators earn through Spotlight rewards and the Stories revenue share program.
Fees Spotlight rewards and Stories revenue sharesnapchat.com