YouTube Join Button: Setup, Benefits & Eligibility

Last Updated on 05/02/2026

The YouTube Join Button is a channel membership feature that lets creators earn recurring monthly revenue from subscribers. 

Viewers who click the Join button pay a fee to access exclusive perks like badges, emojis, members-only videos and special community content directly on the creator’s channel.

The YouTube Join Button has become one of the most effective built-in monetization tools for creators who want a predictable monthly income without sending viewers to third-party platforms. 

Instead of relying only on ads or sponsorships, channels can build a paying community through memberships. 

When used correctly, the YouTube Join Button not only increases revenue but also strengthens audience loyalty and engagement. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how it works, who is eligible, how to enable it and how to maximise its value.

What Is the YouTube Join Button?

The YouTube Join Button is a built-in monetization feature that allows creators to offer paid channel memberships directly to their audience. 

Instead of asking viewers to support through external platforms, YouTube provides a native option where fans can subscribe monthly in exchange for exclusive benefits. 

This keeps the entire experience inside YouTube, making it easier and more trustworthy for viewers to join and manage their memberships.

When a creator activates the YouTube Join Button, a “Join” option appears next to the Subscribe button on their channel and under eligible videos. 

Viewers who click it can choose a membership tier and pay a recurring monthly fee. In return, they receive perks defined by the creator. 

These perks can include members-only videos, exclusive posts, custom emojis, loyalty badges, early access to content, private live streams, or behind-the-scenes updates.

One important point is that the YouTube Join Button is different from the standard Subscribe feature. Subscribing is free and simply follows a channel for updates.

Joining is paid and designed for supporters who want deeper access and closer interaction. This distinction helps creators build a layered audience casual viewers, subscribers and committed members.

For creators, the YouTube Join Button provides a predictable revenue stream that is not fully dependent on ad rates or algorithm shifts. Membership income tends to be more stable month-to-month, especially when perks are valuable and consistently delivered. 

For viewers, it offers a clear and simple way to support their favorite channels while receiving tangible benefits.

Because everything is handled within YouTube billing, access control and perk delivery, the setup and management process is simpler than running a separate membership system.

This makes the feature especially attractive for growing channels looking to monetize community loyalty efficiently.

How the YouTube Join Button Works

The YouTube Join Button operates through channel memberships, where viewers pay a recurring monthly fee to access exclusive creator-defined perks. 

Once enabled, the button appears on the channel page and eligible video pages, allowing supporters to join in just a few clicks. The entire payment, renewal and cancellation is handled directly by YouTube.

Creators can design multiple membership tiers, each with its own price and benefits. This tiered model allows channels to serve different audience segments, from casual supporters to highly engaged fans who want deeper access and recognition. 

The clearer and more attractive the perks, the higher the likelihood that viewers will convert into paying members.

When someone clicks the YouTube Join Button, they see a membership panel showing:

• Available pricing tiers
  
• List of included perks
  
• Billing frequency (monthly)
  
• Cancellation flexibility
  
• Preview of badges and emojis
  

After joining, members instantly receive their benefits and a visible loyalty badge next to their name in comments and live chats. This public recognition often increases engagement and encourages others to consider joining as well.

From a revenue perspective, membership payments are shared between YouTube and the creator. While YouTube keeps a platform percentage, the remaining share goes directly to the channel as recurring income. 

Earnings are added to the creator’s monetization reports alongside ad revenue and other income sources.

Key operational points to understand:

• Memberships renew each month
  
• Creators control perk structure and tier pricing.
  
• Members can cancel anytime.
  
• Perks can be updated as the channel grows.
  
• Access is restricted automatically if payment stops.
  

This structured system makes the YouTube Join Button both scalable and manageable for creators building long-term community support.

YouTube Join Button Eligibility Requirements

The youtube join button allows creators to monetise their channel by offering paid memberships with exclusive perks like badges, emojis, members-only posts and videos. However, not every channel qualifies. 

YouTube has specific eligibility rules you must meet before the Join button appears on your channel.

Basic YouTube Join Button Requirements

To enable the youtube join button, your channel must meet all of the following conditions:

• You must be at least 18 years old
  
• Your channel must be part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
  
• You need 1,000 or more subscribers.
  
• Your channel must not be set as “Made for Kids.s”
  
• You must live in a country where channel memberships are available.
  
• Your channel must have no active Community Guidelines strikes.
  

If any of these conditions are not met, the youtube join button will remain unavailable.

Content & Policy Compliance

YouTube reviews channels manually before enabling memberships. Even if you meet subscriber and monetisation thresholds, your channel can still be rejected if:

• Your content includes reused or low-effort material
  
• Videos violate YouTube monetisation policies.
  
• Your channel lacks original value for members.
  

To keep the youtube join button active, your channel must continue following YouTube’s advertiser-friendly and creator policies.

Additional Things to Know

• You must offer clear membership perks (YouTube may review these)
  
• Membership pricing tiers are set by YouTube (you choose from available options)
  
• YouTube takes a 30% revenue share from membership earnings.
  
• The youtube join button may take a few days to appear after approval.
  

How to Enable the YouTube Join Button (Step-by-Step)

Once your channel meets YouTube’s eligibility criteria, enabling the youtube join button is quick and straightforward. Follow these steps carefully to activate channel memberships without errors.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Before anything else, make sure:

• You’re part of the YouTube Partner Program
  
• Your channel has 1,000+ subscribers.
  
• There are no active Community Guidelines strikes.
  
• Your content is not marked “Made for Kids.”
  

If you’re eligible, YouTube will allow access to memberships.

Step 2: Open YouTube Studio

• Sign in to your YouTube account
  
• Go to YouTube Studio
  
• Select Monetisation from the left-hand menu.
  

This is where all revenue features, including the youtube join button, are managed.

Step 3: Set Up Channel Memberships

• Click the Memberships tab
  
• Review YouTube’s terms and policies
  
• Click Get Started
  

YouTube may briefly review your channel again at this stage.

Step 4: Choose Membership Perks

You must offer at least one perk. Common options include:

• Loyalty badges
  
• Custom emojis
  
• Members-only videos or posts
  
• Exclusive livestream chats
  

Clear perks increase approval chances and conversions.

Step 5: Select Pricing Tiers

• Choose from YouTube’s predefined pricing options
  
• You can create multiple membership levels.
  
• Each tier should offer increasing value.
  

Once saved, your setup is nearly complete.

Step 6: Publish and Wait for Approval

• Submit your membership setup.
  
• Approval usually takes a few hours to a few days.
  
• After approval, the youtube join button appears automatically on your channel and videos.
  

YouTube Join Button Perks Ideas

The youtube join button works best when perks feel exclusive, not recycled. Members should get access, recognition, or proximity that they can’t get for free.

Visual & Recognition Perks

These are simple to set up and work well for most channels:

• Loyalty badges next to member names (time-based progression)
  
• Custom emojis for comments and live chats
  
• Member-only name shoutouts in videos or livestreams
  
• Pinned member comments on selected uploads
  

These perks boost visibility and community status instantly.

Exclusive Content Perks

Perfect for creators who upload consistently:

• Members-only videos (behind-the-scenes, raw cuts, or extended versions)
  
• Early access to public videos (24-72 hours)
  
• Members-only livestreams
  
• Unlisted tutorials or deep dives
  

Exclusive access is one of the strongest drivers for the youtube join button.

Community & Access Perks

Great for building loyalty, not just revenue:

• Members-only Community posts
  
• Private polls to vote on future content
  
• Priority replies to comments or questions
  
• Members-only live chat mode
  

These perks make members feel heard, not just subscribed.

Educational & Creator-Focused Perks

Ideal for teaching, business, or niche authority channels:

• Downloadable resources (PDFs, checklists, templates)
  
• Monthly Q&A sessions
  
• Content requests from members
  
• Case studies or breakdowns
  

These work especially well for higher-priced tiers.

Premium & High-Tier Perks

Use these sparingly for top-level memberships:

• One-on-one feedback
  
• Private Discord or WhatsApp group
  
• Credits in video descriptions
  
• Exclusive merchandise giveaways
  

Pro Tip

Your youtube join button converts best when:

• Perks are clearly explained in a pinned comment
  
• Each tier offers visible value increases.
  
• You remind viewers why joining helps support the channel

YouTube Join Button Not Showing  Fixes

If your youtube join button is missing even after meeting the basic requirements, don’t panic. This is a common issue and is usually caused by settings, policy checks, or rollout delays.

1. You’re Eligible, But Approval Is Still Pending

Even after joining the YouTube Partner Program, channel memberships require a separate review.

Fix:

• Go to YouTube Studio – Monetisation – Memberships
  
• Check for a “Review in progress” or “Set up memberships” notice.
  
• Wait 24-72 hours after setup for the youtube join button to appear.
  

2. Channel Marked as “Made for Kids.”

Channels or videos set as Made for Kids cannot display the youtube join button.

Fix:

• Open YouTube Studio – Settings – Channel – Basic info
  
• Set audience to “No, not made for kids.”
  
• Review individual videos and remove kid settings if applied.
  

3. You Have an Active Community Guidelines Strike

Even one active strike can block memberships.

Fix:

• Check YouTube Studio – Channel dashboard – Restrictions.
  
• Wait for the strike to expire or submit an appeal if applicable.
  

4. You’re Checking from the Wrong Platform

The youtube join button does NOT appear everywhere.

Fix:

• Check your channel from:
  
  • Desktop browser (recommended)
    
  • YouTube app on Android
    
• Note: It may not appear on iOS due to Apple payment rules
  

5. Country or Region Restrictions

Channel memberships are not available in every country.

Fix:

• Confirm memberships are supported in your country
  
• Ensure your AdSense account location matches your actual region.
  

6. No Membership Perks Added

YouTube won’t show the join button unless perks are configured.

Fix:

• Add at least one membership perk
  
• Save and publish your membership setup.p
  

7. Cache or Display Delay

Sometimes the issue is purely visual.

Fix:

• Clear browser cache
  
• Log out and log back in.
  
• Check using an incognito window.

Join Button vs Patreon: Which Is Better?

Many creators struggle to choose between the YouTube join button and Patreon for earning recurring revenue. Both platforms help you monetise your fans, but they work very differently.

The YouTube Join Button is built into YouTube and shows directly on your channel and videos. Patreon is a standalone membership platform outside of YouTube that lets you host your community and perks off-platform.

Below is a detailed comparison to help you decide which suits your goals:

Comparison Table: YouTube Join Button vs Patreon

Feature / Aspect	YouTube Join Button	Patreon
Integration	Built into YouTube	Separate platform
Visibility to Fans	Appears on channel & videos	Requires an external link
Fee / Revenue Share	~30% to YouTube	5-12% platform + payment fees
Customisation	Limited to YouTube’s perks	Fully custom tiers & perks
Content Control	Must follow YouTube policies	Independent of YouTube rules
Payment Handling	Handled by YouTube	Handled by Patreon
Analytics	Basic insights	Detailed membership analytics
International Support	Limited by YouTube availability	More global coverage
Payout Options	YouTube payout schedule	Patreon payout schedule
Best For	YouTube creators with a strong audience	Creators wanting full control

When the YouTube Join Button Is Better

Choose the youtube join button if you want:

• A seamless experience without redirecting fans
  
• Memberships that are visible directly on your channel
  
• A simple set-up with no extra platform to manage
  
• Fans who prefer in-app purchases
  

Best for: Established YouTubers who want low-friction sign-ups.

When Patreon Is Better

Choose Patreon if you want:

• Full control over membership tiers and perks
  
• Advanced CRM or email integrations
  
• No dependency on YouTube rules
  
• A diverse audience not limited to YouTube viewers
  

Best for: Creators with fans on YouTube or those selling digital products, PDFs, or other external perks.

Best Practices to Increase Join Button Conversions

Having the youtube join button enabled is only step one. Conversions depend on how clearly you communicate value, timing and exclusivity.

1. Explain the Join Button in Plain Language

Many viewers don’t know what the Join button does.

Best practice:

• Say it out loud in videos: “Click Join to support the channel and unlock members-only perks.”
  
• Add a short explanation in your channel’s About section.
  
• Pin a comment explaining exactly what members get.
  

Clarity removes hesitation.

2. Show the Perks Visually

People convert faster when they see value.

Best practice:

• Display member emojis during livestreams
  
• Mention badges in comments.
  
• Show snippets of members-only content (blurred or teased)
  

This creates curiosity around the youtube join button.

3. Create Tiered Value (Not Just Prices)

Don’t stack random perks; build progression.

Best practice:

• Entry tier – badges + emojis
  
• Mid-tier – members-only videos or early access
  
• Top tier – Q&A, feedback, or direct interaction
  

Each tier should answer: “Why upgrade?”

4. Promote at the Right Moments

Timing matters more than frequency.

Best practice:

• Mention the youtube join button after delivering value, not at the start
  
• Promote during livestream peaks.
  
• Add a Join CTA at the end of high-performing videos.
  

Avoid sounding salesy, keep it natural.

5. Use Community Posts Strategically

Your Community tab is a hidden conversion tool.

Best practice:

• Post members-only polls
  
• Share previews that only members can access
  
• Thank members publicly (with permission)
  

Social proof increases trust.

6. Reward Loyalty Consistently

Retention fuels long-term revenue.

Best practice:

• Monthly members-only content (even simple updates)
  
• Regular shoutouts or recognition
  
• Deliver perks on schedule; missed promises kill conversions.
  

Final Thoughts

The youtube join button is more than just a monetisation feature; it’s a way to turn loyal viewers into a supportive community. 

When set up correctly, with clear perks, smart promotion and consistent delivery, it can generate reliable recurring income while strengthening your connection with your audience.

Focus on simple, valuable benefits, explain the join option clearly and remind viewers at the right moments. 

Over time, the youtube join button becomes a natural extension of your content, not a hard sell, rewarding both you and the people who support your channel the most.

Frequently Asked Questions