Of all of Elon Musk’s many changes to the platform formerly known as Twitter, Community Notes remains the most interesting, and the integration of AI-generated Community Notes adds another valuable element to a process that can significantly reduce the spread of misinformation in the app.
And this latest update to Community Notes is another interesting step, with X now testing out Collaborative Notes, which will make it easy for human Community Notes contributors to guide and improve AI-generated Notes.
So rather than just relying on the AI response, and having a potentially flawed and/or misinterpreted AI answer as a fact-check, now, Community Notes contributors will be able to easily rate and respond to these AI notes, which could ensure that they’re updated with more relevant, accurate information.
That could help to address some key flaws with the notes system. A major problem with notes is the time that it takes for one to be displayed, because X is focused on real-time, in-the-moment discussion. That means that if it takes even 15 minutes for a note to be shown on a post, then at least some of its damage will be done, and it’s impossible to get notes up on these posts in real-time.
But AI helps to solve for this. AI-generated notes are only created when a user requests one, but they can be shown much faster, and the capacity to then refine these with similar speed, based on human ratings, could help to further reduce the impact of false claims.
It also assists in data gathering to support Notes, as the AI response will hopefully reference the relevant source material quickly, reducing the need for contributors to go through extensive work to provide relevant context.
Overall, it does seem like a helpful addition, but then again, the fact that the system is using Grok as its AI fact-check creator is also potentially problematic, because as Elon has repeatedly told us, he’s put in specific work to make Grok “less woke.” Which means that, on some of Musk’s pet issues, it’s likely to spread false information either way.
YouTube is expanding its auto-dubbing options to all creators, which will provide more opportunities for YouTubers to reach expanded audiences by translating their content for various audiences.
YouTube first launched auto dubbing with selected creators back in 2024, providing the opportunity to auto-translate content into eight different languages.
And now, with YouTube making auto-dubbing available to all users, it’s also expanding this to 27 languages that are now supported by YouTube’s auto-translation tools.
As you can see in this example, auto-dubbing gives you the option to translate your content into another language, while you’re also able to review the auto-translated script before uploading.
And now, everyone will be able to access the option when they upload YouTube content.
But that’s not all. YouTube’s also looking to make its auto-dubs more natural and engaging, with Expressive Speech, which aims to “help capture a creator’s original emotion and energy.”
So, ideally, this system will be able to also communicate some of the tone of your original audio, which will make it a more engaging viewing experience.
It’s Super Bowl Sunday, and if you’re looking to get a better handle on just how significant the event is for the online community, then YouTube’s latest Culture and Trends report is for you.
YouTube’s latest report looks at “the expanding entertainment universe of the NFL,” and digs into NFL engagement on the platform, and some of the key trends that’ll not only define user activity today, but also throughout the offseason and into the next NFL season.
First off, YouTube’s report looks at overall NFL content engagement, and how the league has adapted to online culture and platforms, boosting online fan activity.
With more and more people using AI chatbots within their discovery efforts, traditional SEO is losing its impact, with Google referring fewer direct connections, and users getting more info from AI answers direct.
That’s changed the paradigm for online discovery, and recently, LinkedIn outlined how it’s adjusted its SEO strategy to better align with this, which has led to a significant increase in AI answer presence for LinkedIn content.
In fact, LinkedIn is now one of the most cited sources by AI chatbots.
So how did LinkedIn do it?
Well, today, LinkedIn has published a new, 17-page guide on exactly that, with detailed notes and tips on how to structure your content to best align with AI chatbot logic, and what you need to do to maximize accessibility and authority.
You can download its “How to Optimize Your Owned Content for AI Search” guide here, but in this post, we’ll look at some of the key notes.
First off, as noted, LinkedIn explains how search has evolved, and how you need to update your discovery planning in-step.
As per LinkedIn: “Search has fundamentally changed. The days of writing just for Google and hoping keywords do the heavy lifting are over. Brands must create content that is not only optimized for traditional search engines but also structured, credible, and context-rich enough for AI systems to trust and surface. If your brand isn’t appearing in AI-generated answers, you’re losing pipeline before it even begins.”
Indeed, according to research, search engine traffic is expected to drop by 25%.
I don’t see why this would need its own app, and I don’t imagine that this will be a big winner for Meta, if it does go ahead with the project. But Meta has confirmed that it is internally experimenting with a new, separate app called Instants, which would enable users to share quick snaps with their connections.
Meta Instants As displayed in this listing, which was shared by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi, among Meta’s display of other apps (accessed via Instagram), there’s a mention of Instants, which is not released publicly as yet.
Instants is essentially a renamed version of Shots, which was a feature that Meta tried out in Instagram last year.
Shots is a “no-edit, no-filter” image-sharing option, which enables IG users to quickly send a picture to a friend. That friend is then only able to view the image once before it disappears from existence.
So it’s kind of like a mix of BeReal and Snapchat, which is designed to prompt spontaneous interaction in the app, and get people sharing more often, though it seemingly hasn’t caught on in any major way, as it hasn’t seen a broad rollout.
But maybe, the data showed that young users, in particular, liked it. And maybe, that’s now prompted Instagram to now consider a separate app, in order to avoid Instagram getting too complicated, and to encourage more dedicated use of image sharing as a simple engagement option.
Whatever the reason, it does seem like Meta is at least toying with the idea, with Meta confirming to Business Insider that this is in the experimental phase, though there are no plans for a public release, nor more insight into how that separate app would look and function.
But we can assume that it will be a refined version of Shots, and if that didn’t grab your attention, I doubt that Instants is going to either.
But again, Meta is super keen to engage the young’uns, and if there’s any evidence that quick image sharing was resonating with them, you can also assume that they’re going to double down on it.
Pinterest has published its latest quarterly earnings update, posting solid increases in user numbers and revenue, as it continues to establish its position as a key platform for shopping-related discovery.
First, on users. Pinterest added another 19 million monthly actives in Q4, taking it to 619 million overall.
Which underlines its steadily growing use case, and value for more people. The only down point is its slower growth in the U.S., which Pinterest remains reliant on for its revenue.
Though it is still seeing good results on that front, with the company bringing in $1.3 billion in Q4, and $4.2 billion for the 2025 full year. Both of those are double digit increases year-over-year, and it’s clear that Pinterest’s business model is evolving, and growing to accommodate the increased interest in the app.
Pinterest’s main focus has been on discovery, and improving its search tools to ensure that users can find what they want, relative to their interests. Pinterest now facilitates 80 billion searches per month, and it’s continually building out new tools to improve and refine this element, including more search qualifiers to hone in results, and improved its product categorization, in order to show people more items related to what they like.
Have you jumped into the mini-drama trend on TikTok yet?
Popularized in China, the mini-drama format essentially sees full-length productions split into tiny episodes, that people can then tune into on TikTok. The plots of these shows tend to be soap opera-style, Hallmark movie-esque escapism (as explained by Business Insider: “”plots often revolve around tropes like badly behaving husbands or werewolf romance”), which generally end on cliffhanger confessions to keep people coming back for more.
And people are doing just that, with the format gaining significant traction on TikTok over the past year.
So, of course, as you would expect, Instagram is now also looking to latch onto the trend.
As highlighted by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi, Instagram is currently experimenting with its own, dedicated Short Drama element within the app.
As this example shows, the new element, which is currently in early testing, and is not available to the public as yet, would seemingly enable Instagram users to follow their favorite short drama shows, and stay up to date on the latest episodes more easily.
Would that be beneficial?
Well, again, mini dramas are big on TikTok, with one estimate indicating that the format generated $1.3 billion in the US in 2025, mostly via direct payments from viewers.
And clearly TikTok sees potential. It launched a Minis section in the app last year, while it’s also launched a dedicated mini dramas app, called PineDrama, in the U.S. and Brazil.
Instagram may soon bring a new feature that would allow users to create their “likeness” using AI. You can think of a likeness as an avatar. While avatars already exist on the platform, likeness might build on them to extend into more extensive photo and video editing. Additionally, it seems users may also be able to swap their likeness with others’, possibly close friends and acquaintances, with permission.
The feature was reported by tipster Alessandro Paluzzi, who goes by the handle @alex193a on X (formerly Twitter), along with screenshots showing how some part of it could work in future. However, it is important to understand that Instagram hasn’t confirmed this update yet, so you better take this information with a grain of salt.
Instagram create your likeness with face swap feature: Details leaked
According to Paluzzi, who is also a reverse engineer, Instagram is working on a feature to let users create AI-likeness and even swap their avatars with likeness of other people in photos and videos. If you want to swap your likeness, you will require permission, the tipster adds. When you request access, the person will be notified and when they approve, you can use their likeness in your photos and videos.
This consent-based approach may be inspired by OpenAI’s Sora which already has an approval-based system to use other people’s likeness. This is so the platform(s) can keep a check on potential misuse.
Facebook continues to draw an enormous audience, with more than three billion active users—significantly more than Instagram’s two billion or TikTok’s 1.6 billion users, according to Statista (1). This massive audience creates diverse opportunities for both content creators and business owners to generate revenue.
Whether you’re a content creator building an audience or a business owner looking to boost sales, read on to learn how to make money on Facebook in seven different ways.
Note: Before you get started, make sure you meet the platform’s community guidelines. Creators will also need to meet Facebook’s monetization eligibility standards, which include setting your profile to professional mode and creating authentic content. You can check your status under the monetization tab in your Meta Business Suite (for business pages) or under “monetization” in your professional dashboard (for creator profiles).
Start selling with Shopify
7 ways to make money on Facebook
Add paid subscriptions
Partner with brands and creators
Accept Facebook Stars
Use content monetization tools
Create a Facebook Shop
Sell on Facebook Marketplace
Run Facebook ads
Add paid subscriptions You can create recurring monthly revenue by offering exclusive content to your most engaged followers through paid subscriptions. This approach helps you build a dedicated community while generating predictable income from your most loyal followers.
For example, comedian Daphnique Springs offers her 5.4 million followers exclusive content and other benefits for $9.99 per month.
YouTube has become a powerful platform for creators to share content and explore monetization opportunities. Many aspiring creators ask, “How do you make money on YouTube?” because of its potential to generate income through various streams, such as ad revenue, sponsorships, and memberships. Building a YouTube income stream offers flexibility, allows creators to turn their passions into earnings, and can provide a supplementary or primary source of income over time. However, success requires consistent effort, quality content, and an understanding of the platform’s monetization features.
Understanding the Basics of YouTube Monetization
YouTube allows creators to earn revenue through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which involves meeting eligibility criteria, setting up an AdSense account, and understanding how ad revenue works.
Requirements for Joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
To be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program, creators must meet the following minimum requirements:
1,000 Subscribers: A sign of audience interest and engagement.
4,000 Watch Hours: Reflecting active viewer engagement over the past 12 months.
AdSense Account: Necessary for receiving payments from ad revenue.
Once these criteria are met, creators can apply for monetization, and YouTube will review the application.
AdSense Account Setup
Creators must set up an AdSense account to receive payments. This involves signing up, providing payment details, and linking the account to their YouTube channel. Payments are based on revenue generated and AdSense’s policies.
Understanding Ad Revenue
Ad revenue is generated from ads shown on videos, including display ads, video ads, and overlay ads. Revenue is earned based on two models:
CPM (Cost per Thousand Impressions): Payment for every 1,000 views.
CPC (Cost per Click): Payment when viewers click on ads.
Creators earn a share of the ad revenue, with YouTube taking a percentage (around 45%). Actual earnings depend on views, audience demographics, ad types, and engagement levels.
Ways to Make Money on YouTube
YouTube offers a variety of revenue-generating opportunities for creators. By utilizing multiple monetization methods, creators can diversify their income streams and grow their presence on the platform. Below are some of the most common ways to earn money on YouTube.
1. Ad Revenue
One of the primary ways to generate income on YouTube is through ad revenue. This is earned when ads are displayed on a creator’s videos. YouTube partners with advertisers to serve various types of ads, including display ads, video ads (pre-roll, mid-roll, or post-roll), and overlay ads.
Ad revenue is typically earned based on two models:
CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions): Creators earn money each time their video is shown to 1,000 viewers.
CPC (Cost Per Click): Creators earn revenue when viewers click on the ads displayed on their videos.
The amount a creator can earn varies based on factors such as viewer demographics, content type, engagement levels, and the overall demand for ads targeting the creator’s audience. YouTube takes a percentage of the ad revenue (typically around 45%).
2. Channel Memberships
Channel memberships offer creators the chance to earn revenue by providing exclusive perks to subscribers for a monthly fee. Eligible creators with at least 30,000 subscribers can offer benefits like custom badges, emojis, exclusive live streams, or early access to content. This feature can help foster a sense of community and encourage ongoing financial support.
3. Super Chat and Super Stickers
Super Chat and Super Stickers are monetization options for creators who engage with their audience through live streams. Super Chat allows viewers to pay for message highlights in the live chat, while Super Stickers let viewers purchase animated stickers to support creators in real-time. Both features offer ways to earn during live interactions and encourage viewer engagement.
4. Merch Shelf
Creators meeting eligibility criteria can sell branded merchandise directly on YouTube through the Merch Shelf. This feature enables partnerships with third-party merchandise companies to offer products like clothing and accessories directly on video pages. Creators earn a percentage of each sale, providing a convenient revenue stream for fans to purchase items.
5. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing allows creators to earn commissions by promoting products or services and sharing affiliate links in video descriptions. When viewers make a purchase through these links, creators receive a commission. This method can be effective when creators promote products that align with their content, but they must disclose affiliate links to comply with YouTube’s policies.
6. Sponsored Content
Sponsored content involves creators promoting a brand’s products or services in exchange for payment. This may include product reviews, demonstrations, or sponsored messages. Payment typically depends on factors like video views and audience demographics. Creators must disclose sponsored content to maintain transparency and trust with their audience.
How to Start Making Money on YouTube: Step-by-step Guide for Beginners
Getting started with monetizing on YouTube requires more than just creating videos. It’s about building a channel that attracts an audience, engages viewers, and meets YouTube’s eligibility requirements. Below is a step-by-step guide for beginners on how to start making money on YouTube.
1. Create Quality, Engaging Content
The foundation of a successful YouTube channel is creating content that is both high quality and engaging. Viewers are more likely to return to a channel if the content is informative, entertaining, and visually appealing. To create quality content, invest in good equipment for video and audio, and focus on delivering value to your audience.
Content can vary based on your niche but should always aim to provide something that resonates with viewers, whether it’s educational, entertaining, or a mix of both. Engaging content encourages viewers to watch videos in full, interact through likes and comments, and share content, all of which can help grow your channel.
2. Target Your Niche Audience
Understanding your target audience is crucial for attracting subscribers and increasing engagement. A niche audience refers to a specific group of people who are interested in a particular topic or type of content. By identifying and targeting a niche, you can focus your content on what that audience finds valuable, which increases the chances of building a loyal community.
For example, if you’re passionate about technology, your niche might be in-depth gadget reviews or tech tutorials. Alternatively, if you’re into fitness, your niche could focus on home workouts or nutrition advice. The more specific and tailored your content is to a niche, the better you’ll be able to connect with viewers who share those interests.
3. Consistency in Uploading Videos
Consistency is key to building and maintaining an audience on YouTube. Uploading videos regularly helps keep your channel active and keeps your viewers engaged. Whether you upload once a week or multiple times a month, setting a consistent schedule for video releases allows your audience to know when to expect new content.
Additionally, consistency in style, tone, and content type ensures that viewers know what to expect when they visit your channel. Over time, consistent uploads help boost your channel’s visibility and algorithm ranking, which can lead to more views and potential subscribers.
4. Optimize with Keywords for Better Reach
To increase your chances of reaching a broader audience, it’s important to optimize your videos for search. Keywords like “how to make money on YouTube” should be incorporated into your video titles, tags, and descriptions to improve discoverability. YouTube’s search algorithm relies heavily on keywords to match videos with relevant searches, so using the right keywords can help your videos appear in search results and recommended video feeds.
Conduct keyword research to find what terms people are searching for related to your content. Tools like Google Trends, YouTube’s search suggestions, and third-party keyword research tools can help you identify the most effective keywords for your niche.
5. Meet YouTube’s Monetization Criteria
Once your channel is up and running, you will need to meet YouTube’s monetization criteria to start earning money. To join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), your channel must have:
At least 1,000 subscribers.
4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months.
A connected AdSense account.
Once you meet these requirements, you can apply for monetization and start earning revenue through ads, channel memberships, and other monetization features.
6. Engage with Your Audience
Building an engaged community is essential for growing your channel and making money on YouTube. Respond to comments, ask viewers for feedback, and create content based on their suggestions. Engaging with your audience helps build loyalty and encourages people to subscribe and share your videos.
The more interaction you have with your audience, the more likely they are to continue watching your content and supporting your channel through monetization options like Super Chats, channel memberships, or merchandise purchases.
Tips to Maximize Earnings as a Creator
To maximize your YouTube earnings, focus on strategies that improve content quality, attract a loyal audience and diversify your revenue streams.
1. Build a Loyal Audience Base
A loyal audience is key to increasing engagement and monetization opportunities. Consistently create content that resonates with your target audience, interact with viewers through comments and calls to action, and build trust by being authentic. A dedicated fanbase is more likely to support you through memberships, Super Chats, and merchandise purchases.
2. Use Analytics to Understand What Content Performs Best
Leverage YouTube Analytics to track key metrics like watch time, audience retention, and click-through rate (CTR). This data helps identify which content resonates most with your viewers, enabling you to optimize your strategy for higher engagement and increased revenue.
3. Experiment with Different Monetization Strategies
Explore various revenue options like channel memberships, Super Chats, merchandise sales, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content. Diversifying your income streams ensures you’re not relying solely on ad revenue, helping you maximize your earnings.
4. Invest in Equipment to Improve Video and Audio Quality
High-quality video and audio can enhance viewer retention and engagement. Investing in better equipment, such as a professional camera, microphone, and lighting, improves the production value of your videos, leading to higher viewer satisfaction and more monetization opportunities.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
1. Slow Growth in the Beginning
In the early stages, growth on YouTube can be slow as you work to build an audience and gain visibility. To overcome this, focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with a specific niche. Promote your videos through social media and other platforms, and engage with your audience to build a community. As your content library grows, your chances of being discovered will increase.
2. Staying Consistent Without Immediate Results
It can be challenging to maintain motivation when results don’t appear right away. Overcoming this requires patience and persistence. Set realistic goals and track small milestones, such as improving engagement or increasing watch time. Consistently uploading videos, even when immediate results aren’t visible, will build momentum and contribute to long-term success.
3. Navigating YouTube Algorithm Changes
YouTube’s algorithm is frequently updated, making it difficult to predict what will drive views. To adapt, stay informed about updates through YouTube’s official channels and community forums. Focus on creating content that prioritizes audience engagement and retention, as these are generally key factors in the algorithm. Experiment with different content formats and optimize your videos for search to increase discoverability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Making Money on YouTube
1. How do I make money on YouTube as a beginner?
To start making money on YouTube as a beginner, you need to meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. Once eligible, you can monetize your content through ads, channel memberships, Super Chats, and affiliate marketing. Consistently creating quality content, optimizing for search, and engaging with your audience can help you reach these milestones.
2. What type of content makes the most money?
Content that attracts high viewer engagement and advertisers tends to generate more revenue. This can include popular niches like technology, gaming, beauty, personal finance, and education. Videos with high watch time and audience retention generally perform better in terms of ad revenue. Additionally, videos that feature sponsored content or affiliate marketing can also increase earnings.
3. How can I get more views and subscribers?
To gain more views and subscribers, focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Optimize video titles, descriptions, and tags using relevant keywords. Consistency in posting, engaging with your audience through comments and live interactions, and promoting your videos on social media can also help attract more viewers and encourage subscriptions.
