Updated Dec 8, 2022
Are you ready to hear the inside scoop on what it’s like to hit that coveted 1,000 subscribers mark on YouTube? Well, buckle up because you’re about to find out.
Hitting 1,000 subscribers is no easy feat, and trust me, the journey to get there is filled with plenty of ups and downs.
But fear not, because I’m here to give you the lowdown on what to expect when you finally reach that 1K milestone. So grab a cup of tea, put your feet up, and get ready to hear all about the wild ride that is reaching 1K subscribers on YouTube.
What Happens When You Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube?
1. You get a congratulation email
1,000 subscribers might not seem like much to some, but let’s be real, it’s a pretty big deal. You should be proud of yourself for reaching a milestone that many others will never even come close to (you’re better than 91.1% of all YouTube channels, according to this research).
And hey, now you’re officially part of “the club”, so go ahead and pat yourself on the back. You deserve it!
Even YouTube welcomes you in the club with an email containing a weirdly enjoyable GIF image:
As they say, this really is bananas. And even if it’s a bit goofy, I liked it every single time (I have 6 YouTube channels that hit that milestone).
Now, you won’t get that email the minute you hit 1,000 subs – it’s gonna take a few days.
I don’t know why for sure, but it’s possible that they want to make sure your subscriber count isn’t just a temporary spike. After all, they want to celebrate your success, but they also want to make sure it’s a lasting one.
And maybe they prioritize certain types of emails over others. But hey, at least you know that your achievement hasn’t gone unnoticed, even if it takes a little while for the official congratulations to come through. Keep up the good work!
2. You can apply for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
… but only if you also have at least 4,000 hours of public watch time in the 12 months preceding your application. (Or more specifically, the preceding 365 days.)
Alternatively, you can also get 10 million Shorts views in 90 days.
So while getting 1,000 subscribers is mandatory to get accepted in the YouTube Partner Program, it’s unfortunately not enough.
This is a screenshot of one of my channels monetization status.
As you can see, I have (way) more than 1,000 subs, but still less than 4,000 hours of watch time. If that’s your case too, you won’t be able to apply for the YouTube Partner Program just yet.
But make sure to press that “Notify Me When I’m Eligible” button! Even if you watch that page in YouTube Studio like a hawk every single day 🤣
I’m not judging. Been there, done that. 🙈
So what can you in the meantime?
Check out the YouTube monetization policies.
I’m serious. It may be boring, but you’ll thank me later. There’s nothing more frustrating that hitting both thresholds, only to have a negative review form YouTube because your channel doesn’t follow the monetization policies.
And obviously: stay focused and keep publishing videos, as regularly as you can.
3. Your channel’s subscriber count display format changes
This might be a subtle difference… but it makes all the difference in the world!
You will go from “999” to “1.00K”, and it will look like this:
Your YouTube subscriber count, before and after you get 1,000 subscribers.
Why is important?
Not only can you be proud of your achievement, but it will signal something different to your viewership.
The more people are subscribed to your channel, the more new viewers are inclined to join as a subscriber.
The reason is simple: having a large number of subscribers not only tells new viewers that your channel is worth watching, but it also helps to convert those viewers into subscribers themselves.
Who wouldn’t want to join a community of fans who are already enjoying your content? The more subscribers you have, the more likely it is that you’ll continue to grow your audience and keep them engaged with your videos.
Answering Your Most Common Questions About Getting 1,000 Subscribers
I’ve been on YouTube since early 2018 and launched multiple channels, 6 of them reaching this amazing milestone.But when I started our, it wasn’t clear what that means or what that entails.
I’ll try my best to answer commonly asked questions and be as helpful and concise as possible.
Here we go!
How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube With 1,000 Subscribers?
You don’t make any money on YouTube because you have subscribers – you make money because you get views.
- If you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you can directly monetize your videos, meaning you’ll get money for AdSense playing ads before and during your video.
- If you’re not monetized yet, there are other ways to make money on YouTube: by signing brand deals, having affiliate links in your video descriptions or by offering your services as a freelance content creator or consultant.
You can check an estimate of how much money a monetized video has made here.
Do You Get a Play Button for 1,000 Subscribers?
You don’t get a play button or plaque for 1,000 YouTube subscribers. You don’t even get a YouTube Creator Award when you hit 1,0000 subscribers. You can only get one when you get at least 100k subscribers, but only “at YouTube’s sole discretion and we only recognize creators that have played by the rules”. (Source)
Can You Live Stream on YouTube Without 1,000 Subscribers?
On desktop (via your computer’s webcam)
You don’t need 1,000 subscribers to go live. You can livestream 24 hours after you created your channel. Make sur to enable the “intermediate features” in YouTube Studio > Settings > Channel > Feature eligibility. You’ll have to verify your phone number. Don’t forget to make your stream public.
On mobile (via your smartphone’s camera)
You need:
- 1,000 subscribers to go live if you’re 13-17,
- or 50 subscribers if you’re 18 or over.
If you’re 17 or under, your streams will be set to private by default (you can change this setting). (Source)
How Many Videos Do You Need to Get 1,000 Subscribers
You don’t need a set number of videos to get 1,000 subscribers. Some channels hit that milestone with just one regular video or a Short. Some channels have posted a few dozens videos to get there.
Creating enjoyable videos that make people binge watch your channel is the best strategy to grow your YouTube channel. Asking viewers to subscribe helps, but you need great content to get there.
Why Does YouTube Require 1,000 Subscribers ?
YouTube needs a critical mass of videos and subscribers before they can make an informed judgement whether your channel meets the monetization policies. Before accepting your channel in the YPP, YouTube needs to make sure the majority of your videos play by the rules.
How Much Time It Takes to Get 1,000 Subscribers on Youtube?
There is no set time to get 1,000 YouTube subscribers. Some channels get them in just a few hours with a Short that goes viral. Some channels take years to get there. It depends on your topic, content style and posting schedule.
That being said, if you want a number, I wrote a study about how much time it takes to get 1,000 subscribers by analyzing 6 of my YouTube channels that reached that milestone.