Marketing Free course · Certificate included
YouTube Growth and Monetization
Build a channel viewers choose again and again — strategy, packaging, retention, analytics and sustainable revenue
- Intermediate
- 6 h 29 min
- 18 lessons in 6 modules
- 2 h 30 min of video lectures
- Updated Sep 2026
About this course
YouTube rewards channels that viewers choose and keep watching. This course teaches the full system behind durable growth in 2026: what YouTube itself says about recommendations and satisfaction, a clear channel strategy and promise, validated ideas, titles and thumbnails tested with Test & Compare, scripting and retention editing, an AI-assisted production workflow, and a deliberate mix of Shorts, long-form and live.
You will learn how discovery works across search, browse and suggested videos, how to read YouTube Analytics (including Shorts engaged views) to diagnose and improve videos, and how to build diversified income through the YouTube Partner Program (including the thresholds changing on February 1, 2027), memberships, BrandConnect sponsorships and affiliate programs, while staying compliant with community guidelines, copyright, AI disclosure and advertising rules in the US, UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
For creators, brands, agencies and educators who already publish and want a professional, repeatable approach.
Tools you’ll use
- YouTube Studio
- YouTube Analytics
- YouTube BrandConnect
- YouTube Create
- vidIQ
- TubeBuddy
- Google Trends
- Canva
- Descript
- CapCut
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- DaVinci Resolve
- Google Sheets
Skills
- YouTube strategy
- Video ideation
- Thumbnail design
- Title writing
- Retention editing
- YouTube Analytics
- Creator monetization
- YouTube policies
What you’ll be able to do
- Define a channel promise, target viewer and content pillars, validated with real search and outlier data
- Generate, score and test video ideas with YouTube Studio, Google Trends and AI-assisted brainstorming
- Package videos with honest titles and thumbnails and test them with Test & Compare
- Script, edit and run an AI-assisted production workflow built for retention
- Choose between Shorts, long-form and live using current metrics and monetization rules
- Diagnose performance with impressions, CTR, retention, engaged views and audience reports
- Build compliant revenue from YPP, memberships, sponsorships and affiliates with correct disclosure
Curriculum
Syllabus
- Modules
- 6
- Lessons
- 18
- Reading time
- 3.5 h
- Assessment questions
- 25
Understand how YouTube growth works, define who your channel is for, and choose the right mix of formats.
- How YouTube growth really worksVideo lecture, 9′Video · 11 min
- Niche, target viewer and channel promiseVideo lecture, 8′11 min
- Shorts, long-form and live: choosing formatsVideo lecture, 8′11 min
Find ideas viewers want, then package them with titles and thumbnails that earn the click honestly.
- Generating and validating video ideasVideo lecture, 8′11 min
- Writing titles that earn clicks honestlyVideo lecture, 8′11 min
- Designing thumbnails that stand outVideo lecture, 9′11 min
Write hooks and structures that keep viewers watching, edit for retention, and build an efficient production workflow.
- Scripting hooks and video structureVideo lecture, 8′11 min
- Editing for retentionVideo lecture, 8′11 min
- A sustainable production workflowVideo lecture, 9′11 min
Help viewers find you through search, suggested videos and your channel — and build community that brings them back.
- YouTube search optimizationVideo lecture, 8′11 min
- Suggested traffic, playlists and session designVideo lecture, 8′11 min
- Building community and returning viewersVideo lecture, 9′11 min
Read the numbers that matter, diagnose underperforming videos, and run deliberate experiments.
- The metrics that matterVideo lecture, 8′11 min
- Diagnosing why a video under- or over-performedVideo lecture, 8′11 min
- Audience insights and deliberate experimentsVideo lecture, 8′11 min
Earn sustainably through the Partner Program, fan funding, sponsorships and affiliates — while respecting policies, copyright and disclosure rules.
- The YouTube Partner Program and ad revenueVideo lecture, 9′11 min
- Memberships, sponsorships and affiliate incomeVideo lecture, 8′12 min
- Policies, copyright and responsible creationVideo lecture, 9′11 min
- Final assessment
Your certificate
Finish with a credential anyone can check
Earn the Certified YouTube Growth Strategist badge: The holder can plan and grow a YouTube channel professionally: defining a channel promise and pillars, validating ideas, packaging and testing honest titles and thumbnails, scripting and editing for retention with AI-assisted workflows, interpreting YouTube Analytics, and building compliant revenue through the Partner Program, memberships, sponsorships and affiliates with correct disclosure.
Completed all lessons and scored at least 80% on the final assessment.
- A public verification page
- A PDF certificate to download
- An Open Badge you can share
- One click to your LinkedIn profile
Final assessment
- 25questions drawn from a larger pool
- 40 mintime limit
- 80%pass mark
- 3attempts per 24 hours
Start learning today. It’s free.
Every lesson is free to read. A free account saves your progress, unlocks the final assessment and issues your certificate.