There’s a lot of noise out there. How much do YouTube Shorts actually pay? Can you cash out in crypto? Tons of questions, even more myths, and not nearly enough straight answers.
In this article, we’re cutting through the confusion and busting the biggest myths about YouTube monetization. We’ll also show how platforms like MilX are flipping the script, helping creators access their earnings faster, unlock funding in advance, and build sustainable income on their own terms.
Myth 1: You Can’t Get YouTube Income in Crypto
Wrong and outdated.
While YouTube itself doesn’t pay directly in crypto, that doesn’t mean you can’t receive your earnings in crypto. In fact, converting your YouTube revenue into cryptocurrency has become one of the fastest-growing payout methods among creators worldwide.
YouTube monetization can now be more flexible than ever, if you know where to look.
Thanks to platforms like MilX, you can withdraw your YouTube income in BTC, USDT, USCD, and over 40 fiat currencies, all in a few clicks.
Curious how it works? Here’s our full breakdown: How to withdraw YouTube payments in cryptocurrency - MilX
Myth 2: Paid Promotion Kills Channels
This one needs to go.
The idea that running ads will hurt your channel’s organic reach is just wrong. In fact, many successful creators use paid promotion strategically and thrive because of it.
Among thousands of MilX users, a large portion actively run YouTube ad campaigns to boost their visibility. Done right, ads don’t "trick" the algorithm they feed it.
The key is targeting the right audience and promoting your best content. That way, paid traffic blends naturally into your organic growth.
YouTube monetization grows with visibility, and smart ads give you exactly that.
If you want to try it yourself, here’s a simple guide to get started: Step-by-Step Guide: How to Set Up a YouTube Ad Campaign - Air
Myth 3: High CPM = High Income
Seeing a $20 CPM? Looks great, but it doesn’t mean you’re raking in cash.
CPM (Cost Per Mille) shows what advertisers are willing to pay per 1,000 views. But it’s not what lands in your pocket. YouTube takes a 45% cut right off the top, and CPM only applies to monetized views, not every view on your video.
So what really matters ? RPM.
RPM (Revenue Per Mille) is your real paycheck, the cash you actually earn per 1,000 views after YouTube’s cut, factoring in ads, memberships, Super Chats, and YouTube Premium. It’s the number that hits your wallet, not just what advertisers flash around.
You might boast a $20 CPM but still pull just a $5 RPM if only a slice of your views gets monetized or you’re missing out on bonus income streams.
Want to break it all down clearly? We’ve explained the difference between CPM and RPM, and how to get them higher, in this full guide on CPM vs RPM.
Myth 4: Only Big Channels Get Brand Deals
Think you need a million subscribers to land a sponsorship? Not true.
Many brands prefer working with micro-creators, those with smaller but highly engaged audiences. Why? Because your followers trust you.
The key is making your offer clear and professional. That’s where pin.top can help. It allows you to build a free, polished store-in-bio you can link in your video descriptions or DMs with brands. No need to send clunky PDFs or long emails, just one clean link that does the talking for you.
Want more ways to monetize YouTube videos? Check out our guide: Top 7 Revenue Streams for a Full-Time YouTube Creator.
Myth 5: YouTube Pays Instantly
Just went viral? Great. But don’t expect money to hit your account tomorrow.
YouTube finalizes your ad revenue at the beginning of the next month and pays out even later. YouTube monetization runs on its own timeline, and it’s rarely fast. If you’ve passed the $100 AdSense threshold, you’ll get paid around the 21st, which means you might be waiting nearly two months from the day your video took off.
Even worse, if you’re just starting out, it might take weeks or months before you hit that $100 minimum at all.
Want faster access to your money? That’s where MilX comes in. If you’re already monetized, MilX lets you unlock your YouTube revenue anytime. No waiting for YouTube’s payout cycle. Plus, you can even get an advance, up to 6 months of future earnings.
YouTube Doesn’t Pay Instantly - But MilX Does
Hit that $100 AdSense threshold? Great! Now you have two options: wait a month or more or use MilX to access your YouTube revenue instantly. Download MilX for free and take control.
Myth 6: Monetization Once = Monetization Forever
YouTube monetization is a long game, and payment is anything but instant.
Even when you're monetized, YouTube can pause or remove monetization for a range of reasons, reused content, policy violations, or suspicious activity.
And if your channel gets demonetized, your earnings stop, unless you appeal and get reinstated. We explain exactly how to handle that here: YouTube channel demonetization appeal guide - MilX
Myth 7: Only Big Creators Can Get Financial Help
False, and here’s why.
Traditional banks often don’t understand creators. YouTube monetization seems “too volatile,” “not stable enough,” or just doesn’t fit into their boxes. So getting a loan or financial support as a small or mid-sized YouTuber? Nearly impossible.
Still, YouTube creators have their own ways to get some extra cash.
With MilX Active Funds, you can unlock up to 6 months of future YouTube earnings, no credit checks, no confusing paperwork.
The funds are based on your actual channel performance, so you can get cash for gear, content, marketing or even vacation.
Myth 8: Shorts Will Make You Rich
Let’s set the record straight, Shorts are built for reach, not revenue.
Yes, YouTube Shorts can explode your view count. They’re a powerful tool for visibility, discoverability, and pulling in fresh eyeballs. But if you’re counting on Shorts to pay your bills, you’ll be disappointed.
YouTube monetization through Shorts is great for exposure, not consistent income.
Even though CPMs for Shorts are slowly improving, they’re still nowhere near what long-form videos bring in. Shorts monetize differently, through the ad revenue pool, and that often means lower RPMs and smaller payouts, even on millions of views.
Here’s the smarter play:
- Use Shorts as your top-of-funnel. One Short a day can drive massive traffic. Then guide those new viewers toward your long-form videos, where the real earnings happen.
- Start with consistency. Once you’ve nailed the rhythm, scale up, 5 to 10 Shorts daily if you can. But always remember: Shorts are your traffic drivers, not your income engines.
Want to see how Shorts fit into a full earning strategy? We’ve covered that here: YouTube Shorts Monetization Guide.
Myth 9: YouTube Memberships Are Hard to Handle
Not true and definitely not a reason to avoid them.
YouTube Memberships are one of the simplest ways to earn stable, recurring income on YouTube. You don’t need a huge production setup or a massive team.
Start small: offer exclusive content, early access, or member-only polls. Even simple shout-outs or behind-the-scenes clips can add real value.
Many creators build strong membership communities with just a few perks that boost their engagement and monetization on YouTube.
Still unsure if it’s worth your time? We broke it down in detail here: YouTube Memberships: A Goldmine or a Waste of Time? - MilX
Manage Your YouTube Monetization with MilX
When your YouTube monetization starts growing, it’s time to use it your way - not just the way YouTube allows.
The free MilX app helps you access and move your money however you want.
MilX is the all-in-one finance platform built for creators who want full control over their revenue. Imagine unlocking up to six months of your future YouTube income right now, no waiting, no stress. With MilX you can access your money in advance to level up your content, grow faster, and stay ahead.
Why choose MilX?
- Crypto, card, bank, or wallet transfers. Your money, your choice;
- Zero-fee peer payments. Send money to collaborators without losing a cent;
- Lowest fees in the game. Made for creators, not banks;
- Cash advances. Unlock up to six months of your future YouTube income.
- Instant payouts. Get paid in under 5 minutes;
- Daily transfers.No more waiting for monthly AdSense drops;
Take control of your YouTube earnings today, try MilX and start moving your money your way.