Can you really make money from YouTube views? The short answer is yes. But the full story has plenty of twists and smart moves. Shana Green’s journey proves it’s possible to earn over $17,000 in a year, while building a fanbase that feels more like a close-knit community than just numbers on a screen. YouTube monetization isn’t just about going viral or hitting a million views. It’s about engagement, finding your niche, and knowing how to work the YouTube Partner Program the right way. Let’s break down YouTube money-making using Shana’s story as an example and see what it takes for your channel to start paying off.