How to Join a YouTube Channel Membership (and How Creators Can Set It Up)

TL;DR: YouTube Channel Memberships let viewers support their favorite creators with a small monthly payment in exchange for exclusive perks like badges, emojis, and members-only content.

For viewers, it’s as simple as clicking the “Join” (or Subscribe+) button on a channel that has memberships enabled. For creators, enabling memberships requires eligibility through YouTube Partnership Program and setting up perks that add value for fans.

Jump Ahead:

• What Is a YouTube Member?
• How to Become a Member on YouTube (for Viewers)
• How to Enable YouTube Memberships (for Creators)

What Is a YouTube Channel Membership?

A channel membership is an easy way for creators and viewers to level up their experience on the platform. Becoming a member on YouTube is different from simply subscribing to a channel. Subscribers follow a channel (for free) and get updates when new content goes live. Members pay a monthly fee (set by the creator) and get access to special perks, which might include:

• Loyalty badges
• Custom emojis in live chat
• Members-only posts or videos
• Exclusive livestreams or Q&A sessions

For creators, memberships offer recurring monthly revenue while strengthening community connection. For members, it’s an opportunity to support your faves while getting access to exclusive content. Essentially it’s a win-win for all.

How to Become a Channel Member on YouTube (for Viewers)

Joining as a member is quick, but you’ll only see the option if the creator has memberships turned on. Additionally, it appears that YouTube may be testing buttons associated with memberships so you may see a Subscribe+ button instead of Join.

Step 1: Go to the YouTube channel you want to support on desktop or your mobile device. Look for the Join button (near the Subscribe button). A pop-up will appear with the available membership tiers and perks.

If you don’t see a blue Join button, look for a Subscribe+ button near the membership section of the creator’s YouTube channel.

Step 2: You will see the membership perks after hitting the Join or Subscribe+ button. Read through the perks and choose your preferred tier, then follow the prompts to confirm your payment method.

Step 3: Once complete, you’ll instantly unlock your new perks, such as badges and emojis in chat.

📝 On mobile devices (iOS and Android), the process is the same, but you’ll join through the YouTube app.

Viewers can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your membership anytime by going to Settings > Purchases and Memberships in your YouTube account.

How to Enable Channel Memberships (for Creators)

If you’re a creator looking to offer memberships, you’ll need to meet these eligibility requirements:

• Be part of the YouTube Partner Program
• Have at least 1,000 subscribers
• Follow all YouTube monetization policies
• Not a channel with content marked Made for Kids

Steps to Enable Channel Memberships:

Step 1: In YouTube Studio, go to Earn > Memberships.

Step 2: Create your membership tiers (you can choose up to 6 levels). Make the tiers as enticing and differentiated as you can, making sure you’re choosing perks that make the most sense for your audience.

Add custom perks, like badges, emojis, or exclusive video access.

Step 3: Before you can set up your fully set up memberships YouTube will review your perks for a 24 hour period. Review the terms and other key information then hit submit.

Step 4: Once your membership perks are approved, publish exclusive content for your members and start promoting your membership! While it would be nice to get new memberships pouring in on day one, keep in mind that it’s a marathon not a race.

Pro Tip for Creators: Use Streamlabs alerts to highlight new members during live streams. This not only celebrates your supporters but also encourages others in chat to join.

What Else Should You Know?

• Channel Memberships vs. Super Chats/Super Stickers: Memberships are recurring support, while Supers are one-time contributions during live streams.
• No Join Button? The creator may not have memberships enabled, or you may be in a country where the feature isn’t available yet. Additionally, you may be a part of a small subset of folks that are seeing a Subscribe+ button as YouTube tests wording for buttons associated with the feature.
• Perk Variety Matters: The more thoughtful and unique your perks, the more likely viewers are to join your membership.

Becoming a channel member on YouTube is one of the best ways for viewers to support their favorite creators while enjoying exclusive perks. For creators, enabling channel  memberships is a smart way to build a steady stream of income and deepen community connections.

Ready to level up your YouTube channel? Start your membership today and follow Streamlabs on YouTube for tips for streamers and creators.