How to sponsor a YouTube video
A creator's recommendation, to viewers who came for exactly that topic.
Facts checked 11 Oct 2026 · by the AdSworn team
To sponsor a YouTube video, pick a channel whose videos are found by the searches your customers make, agree what the creator says and where your link goes (usually the top of the description), and pay a set price per video. The video must be labelled: YouTube asks creators to tick its paid promotion option, which shows a disclosure to viewers, and the FTC expects the sponsorship to be mentioned in the video itself, not only in the description.
How a YouTube sponsorship works
- Find the right videosLook at the YouTube searches that bring viewers to each video. A tutorial found by "how to edit a video fast" reaches people with your problem.
- Agree the mentionWhat the creator says, how long, and where the link goes. A line at the top of the description is seen by most viewers who read it.
- Agree the labelThe creator ticks YouTube's paid promotion option and says it's sponsored in the video.
- Pay per videoUsually a flat price per video, not per view. Ask how many views the creator's recent videos get.
- Track itUse a tagged link so your analytics show the visits it sends.
The rules: labelled, in the video
YouTube's help page tells creators to select the paid promotion option in the video details, which adds a disclosure label at the start of the video. The FTC's guide for influencers says the disclosure should be in the video, not only in the description, using plain words like "ad" or "sponsored". A sponsor who skips the label puts both themselves and the creator at risk.
An existing video, or the next one
| Sponsor an existing video | Sponsor the next video | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A line and link at the top of its description, plus a pinned comment | A mention inside the video, in the creator's own words |
| What you can check first | The video's real views and the searches behind it | The channel's typical views per video |
| Lasts | A full year on AdSworn | As long as the video is up |
| Best for | Videos that keep getting found through search | Launches, and a creator's personal recommendation |
On AdSworn both are priced per video and paid once. You send one line of up to 120 characters and the link, and the creator approves it before it runs.
| Page | Search that brings readers | Banner / 4 weeks | Featured / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The 12 Best Online Video Editors of 2026 (Free and Paid)Flocksy | “video editor” · 4 clicks | $25 | $2,000 |
| The 8 Best Video Editing Apps for iPhone and Android (2026)Flocksy | “best video editing app for android 2026” · 1 click | $25 | – |
Is it worth it?
A tutorial video keeps getting found through YouTube and Google search for months, so a link at the top of its description keeps reaching new viewers. Work out the cost per 1,000 views over the period with the CPM calculator, and compare it with your other channels. Judge it on visits and sign-ups from the tagged link, not views alone.
The 12 Best Online Video Editors of 2026 (Free and Paid)
- Banner ad$25 / 4 weeks
- Sponsored post$2,000 / year
Straight answers
How much does it cost to sponsor a YouTube video?
It varies by channel and audience. Most sponsorships are a flat price per video. Ask for the views recent videos got, and work out the cost per 1,000 views to compare.
Does a YouTube sponsorship have to be disclosed?
Yes. YouTube asks creators to tick its paid promotion option, which shows a label to viewers, and the FTC expects the sponsorship to be mentioned in the video itself.
Where does the sponsor's link go?
Usually at the top of the video's description, often with a pinned comment as well. A mention inside the video is common when sponsoring a new video.
Can I sponsor a video that's already published?
Yes. You can sponsor the description link of an existing video, which keeps reaching new viewers as long as the video is found through search.