Guide to Ai YouTube Channel Monetization in 2026

[00:00] 7,456,000

[00:04] channels have been wiped out and removed from 

[00:11] their monetization is gone. And some channels 

[00:18] we're talking lifechanging income. Pay your bills 

[00:26] to the partner program in 2025. And at the time 

[00:34] what they said didn't change all that much. A 

[00:41] weeks few months so many channels have been wiped 

[00:51] deleted from YouTube. So, what I want to do is I 

[00:58] been studying for weeks because I'm in this pivot 

[01:06] feel like, wow, that was a huge blow. Like my plan 

[01:16] after doing this research, I've come up with about 

[01:23] worried because you want to leverage AI, you want 

[01:30] with the level of production that you can today 

[01:36] these steps in order will put your mind at ease 

[01:43] want to think about the production level and how 

[01:50] We're going to make a lot of decisions based 

[01:55] and something that stands out from the rest of 

[02:01] you'll use that I'll use that all AI creators 

[02:09] about voiceovers, I'm going to explain exactly 

[02:15] and so on. I'm going to explain how to structure 

[02:22] with one very important video that we're going to 

[02:29] already have. And if you do this, you're just 

[02:35] what's fantastic. I feel so much better. Like for 

[02:42] we're going to link to this one video in the about 

[02:48] an about page and you can link to this special 

[02:55] and they're reviewing your channel and they're 

[03:00] belongs in the partner program? This one video is 

[03:07] what this video is, what it does, how it works, 

[03:13] expresses that this is a channel that's created 

[03:19] And even if you're using tools to craft and 

[03:26] you want to make sure that you have narrative 

[03:32] structure the channel and this one video to really 

[03:39] and I've got some notes here, excuse me. You might 

[03:45] this channel, I research, I write with the help 

[03:54] uh, storybased videos, whatever the direction 

[04:01] telling the person that's looking at your channel 

[04:08] is what this channel is about, and this is the 

[04:15] The idea is we're going to build the channel in 

[04:22] one big word, brandable. Now, this is a word 

[04:28] Think Media, but I want to explain exactly how to 

[04:34] how to brand a channel at a super high level. And 

[04:41] We're talking about a number of decisions you can 

[04:47] unique and stands on its own merit and it can't be 

[04:55] about this video that you're going to make, right? 

[05:00] and you're going to say, "Hey, my name is Brian 

[05:06] the work. I research. I write with the help of AI. 

[05:15] all in a con congruent congruent manner to really 

[05:22] wouldn't be possible. That's why I'm excited 

[05:29] building my own production suite to really craft 

[05:37] like what we have today is incredible, but it 

[05:42] the second thing is again you want to talk 

[05:48] there are some really powerful things that you 

[05:54] think about just a few things like the goal here 

[06:02] production and if you think in this manner manner 

[06:09] for example, a lot of the very best channels 

[06:17] uh, documentary style videos, they let you know 

[06:23] robotics, we're actually totally screwed. We 

[06:27] help us make new discoveries and address some of 

[06:31] and curing cancer. Hi, welcome to another episode 

[06:38] you ever heard of a channel named Cold Fusion? 

[06:44] is this is a channel and when you watch there's 

[06:50] watching we'll take detail and discuss what 

[07:01] and it's a different voice and it grounds the user 

[07:07] unique viewing experience. There's another channel 

[07:14] thing and they make these decisions and they use 

[07:22] stinger stringer would be you're watching Cold 

[07:30] uh history with Brian G. Johnson and here's the 

[07:37] that's where it ends for you I don't think it's 

[07:44] say, well, this is history with David, which this 

[07:50] good, but the implementation is even more powerful 

[07:58] with David. have the audacity to create the 

[08:04] page that you link to in each individual video's 

[08:11] you do, what makes this channel different, and 

[08:17] things, you immediately separate yourself because 

[08:23] into the video and you're sitting down talking 

[08:31] different. And and here's the thing, this is the 

[08:36] that, I get it. But the fact of the matter is, if 

[08:41] you're making and worry a whole lot less when 

[08:48] through this fear and making it happen is how to 

[08:55] edit. Spend a little time learning how to edit, 

[09:01] production. That's the thing. Think about viewers 

[09:07] mass prodduces thousands of videos on a monthly 

[09:14] they excited to sit down and watch a video that 

[09:22] of Rome or Caesar and and really took the time 

[09:30] did you know that uh July is based on Julius 

[09:38] a C-section is well for Caesar? And there's 

[09:46] right, this is another way that you can thing that 

[09:52] better in the videos you produce. Now, I know this 

[09:59] extra because a lot of people ruined it. There's 

[10:07] to do is we're going to separate ourselves from 

[10:15] written, smart videos that stand out. So what you 

[10:24] citations just like they do when they write a big 

[10:29] are citations. This is where I learned this from. 

[10:35] if you use AI, do it smart. Separate yourself from 

[10:43] So find a site that's got got great resources 

[10:51] to cover. And at that point you are separating 

[10:57] have a lower third on in your video explaining, 

[11:03] about was sourced here. That is authorative. That 

[11:10] out. and you you echo that same very thing in 

[11:18] throughout your channel. Is this making sense? 

[11:23] You think about all the decisions you can make to 

[11:30] for example, number one, with a strong brand, 

[11:36] direction, the vision, what you're trying to 

[11:41] I ask channels, well, what's your channel about? 

[11:48] or I make a documentaries about this. And that's 

[11:54] especially with AI. So, these are the small extra 

[12:01] separate yourself, and more. So, number one, have 

[12:09] you're watching History with Brian G. Johnson 

[12:16] you can't have a generic sounding channel and 

[12:23] separate yourself and then create the avatar. 

[12:28] mentioned two channels. One is documentaries. 

[12:35] And the voice over, it is unbelievably good. 

[12:43] yourself from the crowd is practice your delivery 

[12:52] And as you do this more and more, you'll get 

[12:58] it'll separate you. That's the best thing you can 

[13:04] want to put yourself on camera? You don't want 

[13:11] my goal was incredibly high production, 100% AI, 

[13:19] do not use the same voice. I can't believe this is 

[13:26] you get the lazy response. Nope. Denied. you're 

[13:32] and I shouldn't even say this, but it's honestly 

[13:38] just to go to 11 Labs or another AI tool and get 

[13:45] heard. I see I see channels, too, because I've 

[13:51] is a great channel." And I literally watch like 

[13:57] life-changing income. But then I find another 

[14:02] the same voice as that other channel I like." Huh. 

[14:08] the same cadence. It's like, oh, all the decisions 

[14:15] when you don't get into the program. And I know 

[14:21] safe, then the thing to do is take all these steps 

[14:27] apply them in what you're willing to do to get 

[14:33] use an AI voice, but maybe I'll introduce my own 

[14:41] do a voice over talking about what the story 

[14:47] now I'm in the video. Now it's my voice and so on 

[14:55] highly brandable video experience that you 

[15:02] this is now future creators with Brian G. Johnson. 

[15:09] this is the format I chose for my channel name 

[15:15] the time, but it is absolutely the direction 

[15:22] That's ridiculous. It's your full name. So, future 

[15:29] based on future creators or future, you know, 

[15:36] Did you see what I did there? He's branded. He's 

[15:43] safety for the part partner program and you can 

[15:49] want to move forward today in my opinion. So 

[15:54] safeguard yourself. You also want to include in 

[16:02] you source your materials, how you create them, 

[16:09] music. I highly recommend you use music and sound 

[16:16] pump it out, slow down and create premium. You're 

[16:24] Instead of going mass production, slow down and 

[16:32] of using Sunno, which is we'll talk about that in 

[16:39] So you hold the license and then in that 90 

[16:45] the video is created by me. Everything is created 

[16:51] content again and again. I create it once I put 

[16:58] engineered by myself and then you add and you can 

[17:04] a license here. I get I I had the scripts written 

[17:12] come from these websites and it makes it more 

[17:18] then as I mentioned, you want to include your 

[17:24] the more you're willing to put yourself in in 

[17:31] I honestly believe in a lot of cases it doesn't 

[17:38] voice over because I think you probably could 

[17:45] it comes to voiceovers if you do use a premium 

[17:53] generator possible and use that. But what you do 

[17:59] on camera and explain and make that video, that 

[18:06] videos are created and what I do to make these 

[18:14] the channel name needs to reflect who you are and 

[18:21] How do you do that? Well, I can guarantee you if I 

[18:27] And I can't connect David to any real person 

[18:35] gang. Like, this is Brian G. Johnson TV evolved. 

[18:44] experience using premium tools. Uh so viewers 

[18:53] watch the videos that we produce and it's a lot 

[18:59] creating and when we do that like putting a real 

[19:08] the channel I'm going to create because I want 

[19:15] going to create this channel. I'll tell you about 

[19:20] all the things I'm doing to create this premium 

[19:25] they review it and they're like, "Oh, the channel 

[19:32] to say TV, but with Brian G. Johnson. Well, 

[19:37] a real person? Oh, he's got another YouTube 

[19:45] plus subscribers. He's been around a while. He's 

[19:50] Now, you might think, well, I can't do that. 

[19:56] you can do this. I didn't start being an author. 

[20:02] to write a book. It means you need to establish a 

[20:09] real name to one maybe two channels to establish 

[20:17] at and research your name, they're going to find 

[20:24] a channel you already have when you where you are 

[20:30] know this kind of is not the faceless channel 

[20:39] that is so appealing because you're autonomous. 

[20:46] it's the direction that keeps us safe. And for 

[20:51] teach. I'm going to be honest. I was freaking out 

[20:57] figure out like researching video generation cling 

[21:08] voice over for months not months weeks because I 

[21:17] but now it's like of course that's what you have 

[21:24] knew knew I had to have something that was highly 

[21:30] you don't choose a voice that's made because you 

[21:36] you craft a great voice that is unique to you 

[21:42] only use it on your one specific channel. That's 

[21:49] to also include your face in the channel art. I 

[21:56] separates you. Especially like the more I think 

[22:03] Because like like look, I don't have anything to 

[22:12] I say this, I just want to step back and say this. 

[22:20] this is the path forward. These are the steps 

[22:26] produce videos in the future. This is how you 

[22:32] yourself. You make the video I'm describing. You 

[22:39] you can feel good about. Like because yesterday 

[22:46] month since I made the last Brian G. Johnson 

[22:53] figuring out, and I know it's been a little 

[22:59] but I just I can only go as fast as I go. And I'm 

[23:07] on just research. I have to be in it, doing 

[23:13] forward. And when I'm doing that, then I'll come 

[23:18] I've been. And you know, I was really freaking out 

[23:24] allow me to really create unique and different 

[23:30] but because it just makes sense. So, you know, 

[23:36] honestly, you know, YouTube is a nerve-wracking 

[23:43] out and doing things in the face of fear hard and 

[23:49] I didn't have the path figured out, you know, 

[23:57] questions to guide me through this process and 

[24:04] It didn't make sense before because I didn't fig 

[24:10] sure and this is the point that is most important. 

[24:15] person reviewing my channel has to run into the 

[24:22] about and it's unique and different. If you don't 

[24:30] uh channel in 2026. I don't think it makes sense. 

[24:36] should feel safe because there's nothing, you 

[24:40] trying to create the very best viewing experience 

[24:46] want to build out your videos, your documentaries, 

[24:54] You know, I didn't I don't want to start a video 

[25:00] you know, they're it's just going to go straight 

[25:06] specific and you do research to identify what 

[25:15] when did he cross the line, when things went from 

[25:22] felt like they had to kill him incredible. Like, 

[25:28] do that. Who wouldn't? It would be ridiculous not 

[25:36] be fine. So, when you do that, like that's how you 

[25:43] template system. This is something that YouTube 

[25:49] the same exact template, you're in trouble. But 

[25:56] individuals, the people, what happened, Chernobyl, 

[26:03] and it's so funny because it's like I already knew 

[26:10] was so fascinated by when I watched the YouTube 

[26:16] Chernobyl. I want to create something unique and 

[26:23] unique lens that makes the viewing experience 

[26:31] But did you know this? This is the real story. 

[26:37] you know, Caesar was a politician. He was not. He 

[26:44] was broken. He figured out like how to leverage 

[26:52] know when does the story transition like the more 

[26:58] videos the better off you're going to do. And 

[27:04] you know a little bit of effort will go so long 

[27:10] you you simply want to do and then when you go to 

[27:16] thoughts. Do not mass-produce and just pump out 

[27:24] stories from Reddit. You will not get in no matter 

[27:30] create that experience. Think about this. If your 

[27:36] looks like every other channel, you're in trouble. 

[27:43] direction, you know, history documentaries with 

[27:50] your channel art with your picture, the video 

[27:56] create and publish to the channel based on how I 

[28:03] make sure the reviewer has to see that. You put 

[28:11] a comment, um, all the things, and in the about 

[28:18] to go. Here's a no-brainer. You have to click the 

[28:25] you upload, there's a process. Check the box. It's 

[28:31] there you have it, gang. It's good to make this 

[28:36] the last month since I made the last video, but 

[28:42] there's all kinds of ways to use AI. And that's 

[28:47] with Brian G. Johnson. I'll see you on the next