YouTube is introducing monetization features to its Player for Education. The feature aims to provide creators with a new way to generate revenue from classroom content.
First launched in 2022, Player for Education was designed to offer ad-free videos in K–12 settings. It originally excluded monetization features, such as ads and channel memberships. Now, YouTube is changing course. Creators will soon be able to earn from this player through ads, channel memberships and other monetization tools.
The update starts rolling out in August 2025 and begins with select creators in the United States.
How the Player for Education works
Player for Education is a version of YouTube’s player embedded on third-party platforms, such as EDpuzzle and Purdue University’s Learning Management System (LMS). It offers students a distraction-free interface with no ads, external links or recommendations.
Until now, videos played through this player did not count toward monetization. With this update, content watched through these integrations will contribute to a creator’s earnings just like regular views on YouTube.
Creators do not need to take any extra steps. If your content is embedded using the Player for Education, YouTube will automatically count eligible views toward monetization, provided your channel is part of the YouTube Partner Program.
A step towards educational content
The update is part of YouTube’s larger strategy to support learning on the platform. Educational content already plays a major role on YouTube. By allowing monetization through Player for Education, the platform is providing creators with a greater incentive to invest in this type of content.
This is also a move to compete more directly with other education-focused platforms. With monetization in place, YouTube becomes a more attractive option for educators and creators alike.