Before YouTube can pay you, you need a Google AdSense account linked to your channel. This is where your earnings actually land. The process is straightforward but there are a few things that trip people up so read this before you start.

—

What is AdSense?

Google AdSense is Google's advertising platform. When ads run on your videos, Google collects the revenue and pays it out to you through AdSense. You need an account set up and verified before you see a single cent.

—

Setting It Up

When you get accepted into YPP, YouTube will prompt you to connect or create an AdSense account. If you don't already have one, click create and follow the steps.

You will need:

• A Google account

• Your full legal name

• Your home address

• Your phone number for verification

• A payment method, bank account or other supported options depending on your country

One AdSense account can be linked to multiple YouTube channels. That said, you can only have one AdSense account per person.

If you need a second AdSense account for a separate channel that cannot be linked to your existing one, you will need to create it under a different name, a parent, family member, or someone you trust.

Keep that in mind for when you launch your second channel.

—

Identity Verification

This is where most people get held up. Google requires you to verify your identity before they release any payments. This is not optional and you cannot skip it.

What you will need to verify:

• A government issued photo ID, passport or driver's licence

• Your address, Google will send a PIN to your physical address by mail to confirm it

• In some cases a selfie or video to match against your ID

The PIN by mail is the part that takes the longest. It can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks depending on your location. Apply for it as soon as your AdSense account is created so you are not waiting on it when your first payment threshold hits.

The good news is that any revenue you earn while waiting for your PIN is not lost. As long as your AdSense account is set up and you are in YPP, your earnings are being tracked and held. They will just roll over to the next payment date once you have verified your identity and added your payment method.

—

Payment Threshold

Google does not pay you every time you earn a dollar. They hold your earnings until you hit the payment threshold which is $100 USD. Once you cross $100 your earnings get released on the 21st of the following month.

If you do not hit $100 in a given month your earnings roll over to the next month until you do.

—

Common Issues

Account not approved: Make sure your channel is in good standing with no strikes. AdSense will not approve accounts linked to channels with active violations.

Address PIN not arriving: Double check your address is entered correctly. If the PIN does not arrive after 4 weeks you can request a new one from your AdSense dashboard.

Payment not releasing: You need to complete identity verification and have a verified payment method on file before any payments will process. Check your AdSense account for any pending actions.

Get this set up the moment you are accepted into YPP. The sooner your account is verified and your address PIN is confirmed, the sooner you start getting paid.