How to Start a Credit Card Review YouTube Channel in the US (2026)

Affiliate revenue (primary income):
Credit card affiliate programs pay per approved application, not just per click. Payouts vary by card:
- Travel rewards cards: $75-$200 per approval
- Cash back cards: $50-$100 per approval
- Business cards: $100-$200 per approval
- Secured/student cards: $25-$50 per approval

Major affiliate networks for credit cards:
- CardRatings: Largest credit card affiliate network, strong payouts
- Commission Junction (CJ): Partners with major issuers (Chase, AmEx, Citi)
- FlexOffers: Wide selection of credit card offers
- Impact: Partners with several fintech companies
- Direct issuer programs: Some issuers have direct referral programs (American Express, for example)

AdSense revenue:
$15-$35 RPM for credit card content. Financial advertisers pay premium CPMs.

Sponsorships:
Fintech companies, credit monitoring services, and banking apps sponsor credit card channels. $2,000-$20,000 per video depending on audience size.

Realistic income projection (12-18 months in):
- 50,000 monthly views with 200 affiliate conversions/month × $100 avg payout = $20,000/month in affiliates + $1,250 AdSense = $21,250/month
- Top credit card reviewers earn $50,000-$200,000+/month

FTC requirements (non-negotiable):
- Disclose affiliate relationships clearly and prominently at the beginning of every video and in the description
- The disclosure must be BEFORE the viewer takes action, not buried at the end
- Use clear language: 'I earn a commission if you apply through my links' — not vague terms like 'supported by' or 'brought to you by'
- YouTube's paid promotion checkbox must be checked for sponsored content

Truthful claims only:
- Present card benefits, fees, and terms accurately
- Do not exaggerate rewards rates or downplay fees
- Include the annual fee, APR range, and foreign transaction fees in your reviews
- If a card has changed its terms since your video was published, update the description or pin a comment

Regulation Z (Truth in Lending):
If you mention specific terms (APR, fees), you may need to include additional disclosures under Regulation Z. While this primarily applies to card issuers, creators who present specific rate information should ensure accuracy.

Best practices:
- Create a standard disclosure paragraph for every video description
- Verbally disclose in the first 30 seconds of every video
- Maintain an 'editorial integrity' statement on your website explaining how you evaluate cards
- Disclose which cards you personally use and any financial relationships with issuers

Highest-converting content types:
1. Head-to-head comparisons: 'Chase Sapphire Preferred vs AmEx Gold' — viewers searching for these are ready to apply
2. Best of lists: 'Best Travel Credit Cards 2026' — high search volume, multiple affiliate links
3. Unboxing and first impressions: New card arrivals, metal card unboxings — entertainment value plus affiliate opportunity
4. Points/miles strategy: How to maximize rewards, transfer partners, redemption strategies — builds loyal audience
5. Application strategy: Credit score requirements, application timing, approval tips — direct conversion content

Content calendar strategy:
- Monthly: Updated 'best cards' lists (these need regular refreshing as offers change)
- Quarterly: Seasonal card recommendations (travel cards before summer, cash back before holidays)
- As-needed: New card launch reviews (publish within 48 hours for first-mover advantage)
- Evergreen: Educational content about credit scores, how credit cards work, building credit

Production approach:
- Screen recordings showing card websites, benefits comparisons, and point calculations
- B-roll of physical cards, travel footage, and reward redemptions
- Use FluxNote to create Shorts comparing card features quickly
- Spreadsheet-style analysis videos perform surprisingly well in this niche

Disclaimer: This is general information about starting a YouTube channel. It is not financial advice. Credit card terms and affiliate payouts change frequently — always verify current terms before publishing reviews.