Monetize

Monetize is the process of converting something into a source of income. It can apply to content, products, services, or assets by creating revenue streams from them. The term is commonly used in business, media, and technology to describe strategies for turning value—such as attention, data, or intellectual property—into money.

Popular monetization models include advertising-based revenue (display or video ads), subscription or freemium models (ongoing access with tiered features), licensing and syndication (reusing content or software under license), direct sales or one-time purchases, in-app purchases or microtransactions, donations and sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

In digital contexts, monetization often rests on building an asset with enduring value, such as a website, app, or platform, and selecting revenue mechanisms that fit user expectations and platform terms. Ethical and legal considerations, especially around privacy and data handling, are central to many strategies.

Key metrics include revenue and profitability, customer lifetime value, average revenue per user, and acquisition costs. Successful monetization requires alignment with product-market fit and sustainable growth, avoiding heavy-handed tactics that degrade user experience.

Examples include a blog displaying ads, a mobile app offering in-app purchases, a software-as-a-service using a subscription, or a creator channel monetizing through sponsorships and affiliate links.