YouTube is now considered one of the most popular search engines in the world, and South African creators are taking full advantage of it, with over 25 million South Africans actively using the platform. This shows that there’s a huge market for you as a creator. And you can, of course, make money from it.
How?
First, you create videos that people watch worldwide; next, your account gets monetised, and then the money accumulates in your AdSense account. After that, you can withdraw and then start spending.
Except... I’ve spoken to many creators who waited weeks for transfers, lost significant portions of their earnings due to unfavourable exchange rates, or had payments rejected because their bank didn’t accept international wire transfers. None of those stories need to be yours. Below, I’ll explain how YouTube pays, the pain points most South Africans face, and most importantly, practical, step-by-step options to receive your money quickly and with minimal fees.
Also read: Send US dollars to South Africa from anywhere
As a South African creator, your payments from YouTube are made in US dollars. Earning in USD gives your income more global value. Great yeah? Well, most local bank accounts in South Africa can’t receive USD directly. For those that do, when your earnings are converted into South African Rand (ZAR), they often take a significant cut due to high transfer fees and unfavourable exchange rates.
Sometimes, currency fluctuations can make this worse. Your income’s real value may drop the moment it’s converted. By holding part of your earnings in USD, you can protect yourself from these swings and preserve the value of what you’ve earned.
Earning in a stable foreign currency helps you stay in control by keeping more of your money, allowing you to decide when to convert it, and ultimately, getting paid on your own terms.
Before you can cash out your earnings, it’s important to understand how YouTube’s payment system works.
You can only start earning from ads once you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). To qualify, your channel needs to meet one of YouTube’s monetisation thresholds within the past 12 months:
Once your channel is approved, you’ll be able to monetise through ads, channel memberships, Super Chats, Super Stickers, and YouTube Premium revenue. Essentially, every view or engagement can start earning you money, as long as it happens on monetised content.
YouTube doesn’t send money directly to your bank. All payments are processed through Google AdSense, so setting it up is a crucial step.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Your AdSense dashboard is where you’ll monitor your estimated earnings, payment history, and any deductions for taxes or invalid activity.
YouTube doesn’t pay out every time you make a few dollars; it works on a minimum payment threshold system. You’ll need to earn at least $100 in your AdSense account before Google processes a payout.
If your earnings for the month fall short, the amount will simply roll over to the next month until you reach the threshold. Once you cross that mark and your account is verified, YouTube will automatically schedule your payment in the next payment cycle.
For most creators, payments will be sent around the 21st of each month, covering your total earnings up to the end of the previous month. So, if you hit $100 in March, you’ll typically get paid in April.
So, let's talk more about the payment cycle. The payment system runs on a monthly cycle, but payments aren’t instant. There’s a short delay while your earnings are verified and processed.
Here’s how it works:
So, for example, if you earned $200 in April, those funds will appear in your AdSense account in early May, but you’ll actually receive the money later in May. Once Google processes that month’s payouts.
It’s a simple system. Once you understand the rhythm, you just need a bit of patience between creating the content and seeing the cash hit your account.
Also read: How to pay for subscriptions in US dollars from South Africa
Grey allows South African YouTubers to open a USD account effortlessly, all without leaving the country.
1. Create your Grey account
Visit the Grey website or download the app. Sign up and complete your KYC verification.
2. Access your USD account details
After approval, you’ll get your account information, including a US routing number, account number, and SWIFT code.
3. Connect your Grey USD account to AdSense
Log in to AdSense, select “Add payment method,” and enter your Grey account details.
4. Receive payments in USD
YouTube will deposit your earnings directly into your Grey account in USD, eliminating the need for automatic currency conversion.
5. Convert whenever you want
Use Grey’s in-app exchange to convert USD to ZAR at competitive rates or hold your USD in your account if you prefer.
Also read: How to send and receive British pounds in South Africa
Once you’ve set up a reliable payment method, you can turn your channel into a sustainable income source. The most successful creators don’t rely on just one revenue stream; they layer multiple income sources to protect against dips in views or ad rates.
Here’s how you can do the same:
Offer loyal fans exclusive perks like members-only videos, live Q&As, or custom emojis in exchange for a monthly subscription. This builds community and gives you a predictable monthly income.
These features allow viewers to pay to have their messages highlighted or to send animated stickers during live chats, providing a fun way for fans to support you in real-time.
By adding affiliate links in your video descriptions, you can earn a commission every time someone buys a product you recommend. This works well if you review gear, software, or services your audience already needs.
You can partner with companies to feature their products or services in your content. Sponsored deals often pay far more than ad revenue, especially if you have a niche audience that brands want to reach.
Also read: How to get paid as a creator on social media from anywhere in the world
At the end of the day, the more diverse your income streams, the more stable your creator career will be. If ad rates drop or one revenue source slows down, your other income channels keep you afloat.
Now to the solution. Grey is built to accommodate how modern creators work, earn, and spend across borders. If you’re a South African YouTuber, influencer, or freelancer receiving international payments, Grey removes the friction that usually comes with getting paid from abroad.
Grey lets you open a USD account, providing you with the same payment details (routing and account numbers) that US-based creators typically use.
Grey offers competitive exchange rates that are visible upfront, so you know exactly how much you’ll receive before confirming a transfer.
With Grey, you can also hold EUR, GBP and USD, which is perfect if you land brand deals in Europe or work with clients in the UK.
You no longer need to wait weeks for your money to clear. Grey processes transfers quickly, so you can move your earnings to your local bank account without delay, helping you maintain a steady cash flow.
Every feature is designed to make life easier for people who get paid globally, so you can focus on making content instead of chasing payments. This makes it easier to keep more of your hard-earned YouTube income and avoid the usual international payment frustrations.
Being a YouTuber in South Africa is a great way to share your voice with the world and earn a living from it. By setting up a USD account with Grey, you can receive your YouTube earnings quickly, securely, and without incurring losses due to unfavourable exchange rates.
Create your free Grey account today or download the app to make your creator journey easier, smarter, and borderless.
.svg)
Back to top
