YouTube is finally addressing a long-standing monetization issue that has frustrated creators for years, particularly mid-sized channels that depend heavily on AdSense revenue. In a major update to the YouTube monetization policy, the platform is introducing human review for yellow-icon monetization decisions, potentially transforming how creators earn money in 2025. 

In this blog, we’ll dive into the recent updates YouTube is testing to alleviate this issue, how they plan to improve the monetization process, and what this means for creators and advertisers alike.

Content creators are all too familiar with this scenario: You spend hours crafting a video that meets all advertiser guidelines, only to wake up and find YouTube’s dreaded "yellow icon of doom" on your upload. This status has been particularly devastating for mid-sized creators with tens of thousands of subscribers, since this yellow icon signifies that your video is receiving limited or no ads.

This problem with receiving a yellow YouTube icon is significant because:

It disrupts the video’s post-upload period, which is when videos generate the most ad revenue

It puts additional pressure on mid-size channels that rely heavily on AdSense before establishing alternative revenue streams

It could be accidentally assigned. An incorrect automated decision can damage creators’ livelihoods

Disputing the yellow icon can take days to resolve, cutting into earning potential

YouTube's Response to Creator Monetization Challenges

Recognizing the monetization challenges faced by creators, YouTube's solution is refreshingly simple: Adding human reviewers to the process.

 it is experimenting with automatically sending videos that receive a limited or no ads rating for additional review.

Videos flagged by automated systems will receive human review

Creators won't need to manually dispute yellow icons

More videos should maintain full monetization status from launch

Creators can focus on content rather than fighting the system

While this update represents a significant improvement, YouTube has clarified that this feature will roll out to a small portion of creators first, with platform-wide implementation depending on initial results.

The hope is that by having a human validate these automated decisions, videos that deserve full monetization will get it, leading to more green icons and less financial stress for creators.

It’s important to note that this initiative is still in the experimental phase. But what if it’s a huge success for creators and YouTube alike? This leads to questions about the scalability of such a system—how many human reviewers would YouTube need to manage this effectively?

Implementing human review across YouTube would require a substantial workforce and financial investment from the platform. This raises interesting questions about YouTube's automated systems:

Is YouTube leaving significant advertising revenue unclaimed?

Does this signal a broader shift in YouTube's approach to creator support?

The investment suggests YouTube may be recognizing that supporting creators financially ultimately benefits all stakeholders – viewers, advertisers, and the platform itself.

While YouTube’s monetization policy update brings good news, YouTube is simultaneously tightening restrictions on gambling content.

Effective March 19, 2025, the platform now strictly limits how creators can reference gambling sites:

No URLs or links to gambling sites that are not certified by Google

No embedded images or text directing viewers to gambling sites

No verbal references to uncertified gambling platforms

Content that features depictions or promotions of online casino sites may be age-restricted, even if it doesn't violate community guidelines. This represents 

 to protect impressionable viewers, potentially at the cost of advertising dollars.

What This Means for YouTube Creators in 2025

These updates signal YouTube's evolving approach to balancing creator earnings with viewer protection. For most content producers, the human review system should mean:

Higher earnings during the crucial first days after upload

However, channels focused on gambling content may face new challenges adapting to stricter policies.

As these changes roll out, creators should be proactive in understanding the new guidelines and embracing best practices.

How YouTube Creators Can Stay Ahead of the Policy Change

Focus on creating content that adheres to 

Build a loyal community that supports your channel, as this can help mitigate the impact of yellow icons.

YouTube's willingness to invest in human reviewers demonstrates its recognition that creators are essential to the platform's success. As YouTube continues to mature, these changes suggest a more nuanced approach to content policies.

For creators who have experienced unfair demonetization in the past, this update represents a significant improvement. While the experimental nature means it's not yet available to everyone, the direction is promising for YouTube's monetization ecosystem in 2025 and beyond.

Check out another recent YouTube monetization update 

YouTube's 2025 update introduces human reviews for monetization issues, boosts creator earnings, and tightens gambling content rules.

Creator Earnings Overhaul: YouTube's 2025 Money Update

YouTube Shorts are a game changer for creators. They make it easy to engage audiences with short-form content that accelerates channel growth. If you're wondering how to make a YouTube Short, you've come to the right place! In this guide, we will cover what you need to know about making, editing, uploading, and earning money from your YouTube Shorts.

YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let’s start with the fundamentals.

YouTube Shorts are short-form videos that must be 3 minutes or less. They are designed for vertical viewing, so aim for an 

 of 9:16. Although you can use a square format, it’s not recommended as that will create black bars at the top and bottom of your video and waste valuable screen space. Rob will explain all of it thoroughly in the video below.

The best part about creating YouTube shorts is that anyone can do it! Whether you have zero views or subscribers, you can jump into the action. You can either create Shorts directly through the YouTube mobile app or upload videos created in 

. Once uploaded, YouTube will automatically recognize your video as a Short.

With over 70 billion YouTube Shorts watched daily

, creators have a massive opportunity to showcase talent and creativity! Mastering the basics of making YouTube Shorts is the first step toward creating engaging and shareable content.

Creating a YouTube Short is straightforward. Here’s how to get started:

Make sure the app is installed on your mobile device.

Use the red button at the bottom of the screen to start recording.

A red meter at the top shows how much recording time you have left.

You can toggle between 15-second and 3-minute recording durations using the button in the upper-right corner.

Option 1: Tap the red button to start and stop recording.

Option 2: Press and hold the record button, releasing it to finish.

Red record button on YouTube Shorts player

You can record multiple scenes as long as their combined length is under 3 minutes. Scenes are marked by white bars on the video timeline. If you make a mistake, use the backward arrow in the bottom-left corner to delete a scene or the forward arrow in the bottom-right corner to re-add it

You can easily add popular music to your Shorts without worrying about copyright claims.

Use the search bar to find and browse music tracks. When you find the right track, tap it once to hear a preview.

Then tap the blue button with a black arrow to add the music to your Short. YouTube will take you back to the record screen.

Add sound feature on YouTube Shorts recorder

Press the red button to start recording; the music will play as you film.

You can also add music after you record and adjust the music track to start at any point in the song you’d like.

On the right side of the screen, you’ll find a bunch of helpful tools.

creative features on YouTube shorts recorder

Easily switch between your phone’s front-facing and back cameras with a single tap. This is perfect for capturing different perspectives while filming.

Adjust the recording speed to create dynamic effects:

Slow things down to 0.3x for dramatic, slow-motion clips.

Speed up to 3x for fast-paced, energetic shots.

While the 0.3x setting adds drama, it may appear slightly choppy, so experiment to achieve the desired effect.

Use the timer feature to start recording hands-free. Set a countdown of 3, 10, or 20 seconds, giving you ample time to position yourself or your subject before filming begins.

This will bring up a ton of options to add alterations to your face, background, and recording style.

Replace your background seamlessly with any image or video.

Enhance your video with Instagram-style filters to match the mood or theme of your content.

Automatically adjust brightness levels to optimize your video when recording in low-light settings.

Illuminate your subject using your phone’s back camera light for better visibility in dark environments.

After recording your first clip, you’ll gain access to two powerful editing tools: Trim and Align.

trim and align options on YouTube shorts player

The Trim option allows you to precisely trim the beginning and end of your clips. By adjusting the white bars on the clip’s timeline, you can remove any unwanted portions, ensuring your video flows seamlessly.

The Align feature helps you maintain consistency between clips. It displays a faint overlay, or "ghost image," of the last frame from your previous clip. This is especially useful for matching positions, aligning objects, or creating smooth transitions between shots.

Editing a YouTube Short is where creators can make their content shine. After recording, you'll be taken to the editing screen where you can:

Type out your text and use the timeline feature to control when it appears in the video.

Change the color of your text or its highlighted background using the color palette above your keyboard.

Change the font of your text at the top center of the screen.

Give your text a background using the A symbol in the top left corner. To the left of that, tap the paragraph icon to switch between centered or justified text.

Use the slider on the right side of the screen to shrink or expand the text.

If you want to remove parts of your video, here's where to do it. Click on the clip and adjust the white bars on the left and right margins to trim the video.

Use filters and effects to make your video more engaging.

Captions will automatically be generated by YouTube and displayed as the words are spoken in the video. Adjust the style, color, size, and position of the text just like in the text edit portion.

Voice-over records a narration onto the portion of the video you select.

Stickers extend interaction with your audience using options like Q&A, a poll, or a custom sticker.

Once you’re satisfied with the edits, tap the “Next” button in the bottom right corner to proceed to the upload page.

Once your YouTube Short is ready, the final step is to upload it. Follow these guidelines to ensure your Short reaches its audience effectively:

The title is one of the most critical factors for grabbing attention and optimizing your Short for SEO.

Keep it intriguing and relevant to your content.

Aim for fewer than 40 characters to prevent it from being cut off in search results or on mobile devices.
For example, “Mastering YouTube Shorts: Quick Tips” is both catchy and searchable.

Your thumbnail is the first visual cue viewers see. Choose a frame from your video or customize it with text and filters to make it visually appealing.


 can boost click-through rates by clearly showcasing the theme of your Short.

Before publishing, consider setting your video to Unlisted or Private to preview it and ensure everything looks good. Once you’re satisfied, you can switch it to Public for everyone to view.

privacy settings on YouTube Shorts uploader

On the upload screen, you’ll find additional options to enhance and customize your Short:

Tag the location to make your content more discoverable.

Specify whether the content is made for kids to comply with COPPA regulations. 

Allow or restrict viewers from remixing your video into their content.

Indicate if your video includes any paid sponsorships or advertisements.

Let viewers know if the video contains altered content, such as edited scenes or digitally modified environments.

Choose whether to allow or disable comments. Enabling comments encourages viewer interaction and boosts engagement.

Repurpose your long-form videos into Shorts


You don’t need to film something new every time you want to publish a Short. In fact, some of the best Shorts come from highlights in your existing videos. With 

, you can quickly grab those standout moments, and turn them into Shorts that are ready for discovery.

Once your YouTube Short is live, it’s essential to 

understand how viewers will interact with it

. Users can quickly swipe through Shorts, making it easy to consume a lot of content in a short time. They can also like, comment, and share your Shorts.

, descriptions, and interactive elements like polls or Q&A, you can boost viewer interaction. By understanding viewer behavior, you can tailor your Shorts to maximize engagement.

How to Add a Video Description in YouTube Shorts

As of now, you have to add video descriptions and tags after a Short is uploaded. Here’s how to do that:

Go to the YouTube homepage and tap Library in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Find the video you want to edit and tap the three dots beside it. On the menu that appears, select Edit.

One burning question many creators have is whether they can make money from YouTube Shorts. The answer is yes, but there are some requirements:

mobile phone showing the YouTube Shorts logo. Text on screen shows create, edit, upload and monetize YouTube Shorts

Learn how to create, edit, upload, monetize and other YouTube Shorts requirements in this beginner-friendly guide.

How to Make a YouTube Short In 2025: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

So, you’ve decided to embark on a YouTube journey. Like many of us, you started because you watched your favorite creators transform their lives through video. You might have thought that after a few videos, you'd start to see some traction. 

But here you are, months in, with countless uploads and barely a hundred views. You’re probably asking yourself, "

Why is YouTube so hard? Maybe I should give up?"

 Well, let us tell you, you’re not alone in this feeling.

With 16 years of experience on YouTube and over 2,500 videos to his name, Rob Wilson, featured in the video above, has discovered that growing a successful channel is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s common to feel overwhelmed, especially in the beginning. So, let’s dive into why YouTube can be so challenging and how you can overcome these hurdles.

10 Things Every Small YouTube Channel Can Improve

When starting your channel, chances are you underestimated the number of skills you’d need to acquire. You need to be a video editor, a thumbnail designer, a scriptwriter, a marketer, and an onscreen talent—all rolled into one! Most of us begin with only a couple of these skills if that. This can make success feel out of reach.

But here’s the good news: you can learn these skills! Rob mentions, “When I started out on YouTube, I didn’t have any of these skills. Heck, it took me five years to get in front of the camera!” If your channel is struggling, take a step back.

13 Skills You Need to Become a Successful YouTuber

Set aside 30 minutes to an hour daily specifically to practice these skills.

 If thumbnails are your weak spot, watch tutorials on effective thumbnail design and create practice thumbnails daily.

 Wake up an hour earlier or replace an hour of leisure time with skill-building.

YouTube has evolved from a small local talent show to a massive platform where hundreds of hours of content are uploaded every minute. This means you’re not just competing with other creators; you’re up against major media companies like Netflix and Disney. It’s tough out there!

Dad, How Do I? YouTube channel success story

But don’t let that deter you. There are countless amateur creators who are winning on YouTube. Take the channel

 as an example. He started during the pandemic with just a phone camera and now boasts over 5 million subscribers. His secret? Providing simple, relatable content that adds value to people’s lives.

Identify a clear, unique angle for your content.

 "How does this video uniquely help my audience?"

Many of us juggle YouTube alongside other commitments—jobs, studies, family responsibilities. This makes it challenging to consistently produce content. And let’s be honest, even full-time creators find it hard to maintain that level of output.

Remember, if you try to force content creation into an already busy life, you risk burning out and ultimately giving up on YouTube. Take the time to find your rhythm and prioritize your mental well-being. Be honest with yourself. If you can only manage to post one video a month, that’s perfectly okay. Find what works for you!

Determine a realistic schedule you can maintain.

Another challenge many creators face is the loneliness of this journey. Often, friends and family don’t understand what you’re trying to achieve, and they might even discourage you. You might feel isolated, thinking that nobody gets it. But here’s the truth: every successful creator has been in your shoes.

When Rob started, he faced skepticism too. But he didn’t let it stop him. If you feel alone, remember, you’re not crazy for pursuing your dreams. You are part of a community of creators who understand your struggles. Consider connecting with other creators and build a community to help support each other on your journeys. The point is, you are not alone!

Join creator groups or forums on Facebook, Discord, or Reddit.

Participate actively in communities like 

Consider finding an accountability partner or a 

 to provide regular feedback and support.

Waking up to find your latest video barely has any views can feel like a punch in the gut. But here’s the thing: every “failed” video is a golden opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve.

Realize that failure is a myth and ask yourself, “for my next video, what’s the one thing I’m going to focus on and improve?”

Analyze what worked, what didn’t, and adapt accordingly. Rob asks himself, “What titles worked? What thumbnails get clicked? What keeps people watching? What makes them click away?”

Think of it as compound interest. Every video you create is stacking up for future rewards. You never know when that breakthrough moment will happen, so keep pushing forward! It’s all about consistency and patience.

 Keep a notebook or spreadsheet to track insights gained from each video.

For your next video, pick one specific improvement and implement it deliberately.

Yes, YouTube is hard. No one who has been through this will sugarcoat it. But, the key is to overcome those mental barriers and master the practical aspects of content creation. Focus on developing your video ideas. Every video is an investment in your future success and remember that you are part of a vibrant community.

Many of your favorite creators have gone through rough patches and questioned their own channels before they found success. Focus on:

Don’t give up on YouTube! Keep creating, keep learning, and stay committed. Your breakthrough is closer than you think. You will thank yourself for putting in the work when you finally reach your YouTube goals.

So, start building the right mindset to get there.

YouTube success takes time! Learn how to improve and why persistence is key. Don’t give up!

Darryl Rentz

Posts Written By Darryl Rentz

Creator Earnings Overhaul: YouTube's 2025 Money Update

How to Make a YouTube Short In 2025: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

YouTube is Tough - But Don't Give Up!