How to Set Up YouTube Memberships for Your Channel

Enable YouTube channel memberships to earn recurring revenue from subscribers. Complete setup guide for creators with step-by-step instructions.

1. Check eligibility requirements. Verify your channel has at least 1,000 subscribers and is part of the YouTube Partner Program. Your channel must have no community guideline strikes in the past 90 days. Navigate to YouTube Studio > Monetization to confirm your Partner Program status shows as active.
2. Access the memberships tab. Open YouTube Studio and click Monetization in the left sidebar. Select the Memberships tab from the top menu. Click Get Started to begin the setup process if memberships aren't already enabled.
3. Create membership tiers and pricing. Set up your membership levels starting with the default $4.99 tier. Click Add Level to create additional tiers up to $99.99. Name each tier clearly and set monthly pricing that reflects the value you'll provide to members.
4. Design custom badges and emojis. Upload custom loyalty badges for each membership tier using 32x32 pixel PNG files. Create custom emojis using 24x24 pixel PNG files with transparent backgrounds. Members unlock new badges as their membership duration increases.
5. Configure membership perks. Define specific benefits for each tier such as members-only posts, exclusive live chat access, or early video access. Write clear perk descriptions that explain exactly what members receive. Enable members-only posts in the Community tab settings.
6. Set up welcome and milestone messages. Create welcome messages that appear when someone joins your membership. Customize milestone messages for 1, 2, 6, and 12-month anniversaries. Keep messages concise but personal to make members feel valued.
7. Review and publish memberships. Review all tier settings, pricing, and perk descriptions for accuracy. Click Publish to make memberships live on your channel. The Join button will appear next to the Subscribe button for eligible viewers.