Everyone knows the YouTube monetization numbers. Almost no one talks about what happens after you hit them. Here’s what YouTube isn’t telling creators about monetization in 2026.

Starting a YouTube channel in 2026 feels like standing at the base of a mountain that millions of others have already climbed. But here is the truth most people never say out loud: YouTube is still wide open. There is always room for someone who shows up consistently, with clarity, with personality, and with genuine value.