How to Make Money on YouTube with TubeBuddy (Step-by-Step Guide)

Growing a YouTube channel isn’t just about uploading videos and hoping for views. To make money on YouTube, you need a strategy that optimizes your content for search, engagement, and monetization. That’s where TubeBuddy comes in.

TubeBuddy is a YouTube-certified tool that helps creators with keyword research, SEO optimization, A/B testing, and monetization strategies. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale your channel, this step-by-step guide will show you how to use TubeBuddy to maximize your YouTube earnings.

 

For a full step-by-step video tutorial, watch our YouTube guide here:

 

Why TubeBuddy is Essential for YouTube Growth

YouTube rewards videos that rank in search keep viewers engaged, and generate ad revenue. TubeBuddy simplifies this process by helping creators analyze trends, optimize video metadata, and improve engagement metrics.

What TubeBuddy Helps You Do:

• Find high-ranking keywords to get more views.
• Optimize video titles, descriptions, and tags for better SEO.
• A/B test thumbnails to increase click-through rates.
• Track video analytics and competitor performance.
• Automate video publishing tasks to save time.

If you’re serious about making money on YouTube, TubeBuddy is a must-have tool to grow faster and monetize more effectively.

 

Step 1: Install TubeBuddy and Link It to Your YouTube Channel

To start using TubeBuddy, install the browser extension and connect it to your channel.

How to Install TubeBuddy:

1. Sign up with TubeBuddy
   
   
   
   

   Starting from $6/month

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   Key Features

   YouTube channel management and optimization tools
   Advanced keyword research and tag suggestions
   Video SEO tools for better rankings and visibility

   Why We Recommend It

   Helps streamline YouTube channel management with powerful optimization and content tools
   Provides keyword research and SEO features to improve video discoverability
   Simplifies the process of optimizing tags, titles, and descriptions to boost rankings

   Pros & Cons

   • Easy-to-use interface with comprehensive tools
   • Improves video visibility through SEO optimization
   • Time-saving features for managing large YouTube channels

   • Some advanced features are limited to higher-tier plans
   • It may require time to fully learn all the available tools
   
    
2. Download the Chrome or Firefox extension.
3. Log in to your YouTube account and link to TubeBuddy.

Once installed, you’ll see TubeBuddy tools directly inside YouTube Studio, making it easy to optimize your content in real-time.

 

Step 2: Find Profitable Video Ideas with TubeBuddy’s Keyword Explorer

One of the biggest mistakes creators make is choosing video topics with no search demand. TubeBuddy’s Keyword Explorer solves this by helping you find topics with high search volume and low competition.

How to Use TubeBuddy’s Keyword Explorer:

1. Go to TubeBuddy’s “Keyword Explorer” tool.
2. Type in your video idea (e.g., “Best Side Hustles in 2025”).
3. Analyze the results:
   • Search Volume: How many people are searching for this?
   • Competition: Are other videos ranking for this keyword?
   • Overall Score: TubeBuddy rates the keyword as Poor, Fair, Good, or Excellent.

Choose keywords with high search volume and low competition for the best chance of ranking on YouTube.

 

Step 3: Optimize Your Video Title, Description, and Tags for SEO

Once you have a high-ranking keyword, optimize your video title, description, and tags so YouTube understands what your video is about.

Best Practices for YouTube SEO Optimization:

• Include the keyword in your title naturally. Example: “Best Side Hustles in 2025 (Make Money Online Today!)”
• Write a detailed description that includes variations of your main keyword.
• Use TubeBuddy’s recommended tags to increase discoverability.
• Add timestamps in the description to help with viewer engagement.
• Include a CTA (Call to Action) in your description, such as:
  • “Subscribe for more content!”
  • “Watch this next video: [Link]”

TubeBuddy’s SEO Studio tool checks if your title, description, and tags are optimized for maximum visibility.

 

Step 4: A/B Test Thumbnails to Increase Click-Through Rates

Your thumbnail is the first thing viewers see. A better thumbnail means higher click-through rates (CTR), which leads to more views and money.

How to A/B Test Thumbnails with TubeBuddy:

1. Upload two different thumbnails for the same video.
2. TubeBuddy rotates them automatically to different viewers.
3. After a few days, TubeBuddy shows which thumbnail performs better.

Always test bright, high-contrast thumbnails with easy-to-read text to increase clicks and views.

 

Step 5: Monetize Your Videos with Multiple Revenue Streams

YouTube AdSense isn’t the only way to make money. Smart creators use multiple monetization strategies to maximize earnings.

Best Ways to Make Money on YouTube with TubeBuddy:

1. YouTube Ad Revenue (AdSense)

• Requirement: 1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours.
• TubeBuddy helps increase watch time and engagement, making it easier to qualify.

2. Affiliate Marketing

• Promote products or services related to your niche in video descriptions.
• Example: If you review cameras, add an Amazon affiliate link to the camera you recommend.
• TubeBuddy’s Affiliate Tracker helps track link clicks and conversions.

3. Sponsorships & Brand Deals

• Companies pay YouTubers to review or promote products.
• TubeBuddy’s BrandConnect feature helps creators connect with sponsors.

4. Selling Digital Products or Courses

• If you teach a skill (e.g., video editing, online business), sell an online course or ebook.
• Promote your products with TubeBuddy’s description templates to automate links in every video.

5. YouTube Channel Memberships

• Offer exclusive perks and content for paying subscribers.
• TubeBuddy helps track member engagement and retention.

 

Step 6: Automate Your Workflow to Save Time

Managing a YouTube channel takes time. TubeBuddy automates repetitive tasks, so you can focus on creating great content.

TubeBuddy Tools That Save Time:

• Bulk Processing: Update tags, descriptions, or thumbnails across multiple videos at once.
• End Screen Templates: Create pre-designed end screens to promote other videos.
• Comment Automation: Use TubeBuddy to auto-respond to common viewer comments.

By automating your workflow, you’ll spend less time on admin tasks and more time making videos.

 

Step 7: Analyze & Improve Your Performance with TubeBuddy’s Analytics

If you’re serious about growing on YouTube, you need to track what’s working and what’s not. TubeBuddy’s Advanced Analytics helps break down:

• Which videos are performing best
• Where your traffic is coming from (search, suggested videos, external sites)
• Engagement rates (likes, comments, shares)

Use this data to double down on content that gets the best results.

 

Final Thoughts: Is TubeBuddy Worth It?

If you want to grow your YouTube channel faster and make more money, TubeBuddy is one of the best tools to invest in. It saves time, improves video performance, and increases your chances of monetization.

Key Takeaways:

• Use TubeBuddy’s Keyword Explorer to find high-ranking video ideas.
• Optimize video titles, descriptions, and tags for SEO.
• A/B test thumbnails to increase click-through rates.
• Monetize through AdSense, affiliate marketing, and sponsorships.
• Automate repetitive tasks to save time.
• Analyze TubeBuddy’s data insights to improve content strategy.