Selling a YouTube channel isn’t just an intriguing idea — it’s become a real consideration for creators, marketers, and buyers alike. After all, channels with strong followings and steady monetization can be valuable assets. But the big question is: can you sell a YouTube channel legally? And if so, what’s the right way to go about it?
Here’s a clear look at what’s allowed, what’s risky, and what you need to know before you make a move.
Let’s get straight to it: Is it legal to sell YouTube channels? Well, the short answer is yes, but there’s no official transfer process built into the platform.
Although YouTube’s Terms of Service don’t directly mention selling or transferring channels, they do prohibit the unauthorized sale of any part of the Service or its content. So, since there’s no specific rule about transferring channel ownership via a Brand Account, it isn’t illegal.
In practice, YouTube doesn’t take action simply because ownership changes. However, they may step in if the new owner violates policies like spam, copyright, or monetization abuse.
What’s actually being “sold” isn’t the Google account attached to the channel, but the YouTube channel. That distinction is why many sellers use Brand Accounts to keep things relatively clean.
If you’re wondering how to transfer a channel to a new owner, it all starts with using a Brand Account. This setup allows multiple managers and makes ownership changes a lot smoother.
Here’s the general process of how to transfer a YouTube channel:
This method avoids password sharing, keeps things more secure, and avoids transferring the actual Google account, which is riskier and harder to manage.
For sellers, it’s also worth making sure everything’s cleaned up ahead of time — you know, removing outdated links, copyrighted content, reused footage, or sketchy music licenses. Any of that can kill the deal or get monetization yanked.
Just because a channel is already monetized doesn’t mean those benefits carry over automatically. When ownership changes, the new owner still must meet YouTube Partner Program requirements, including AdSense verification and ongoing policy compliance.
If the content violates guidelines under new ownership or if engagement drops off, YouTube can revoke monetization at any time. So even if the seller is cash-flowing now, that doesn’t guarantee anything post-transfer.
Buyers should review traffic sources, ownership of existing content, growth history, and any copyright strikes before jumping in. And if you’re the seller, make sure the content is actually yours. Channels filled with reused videos, low-effort automation, or questionable licensing are a major red flag.
Buyers aren’t just looking for flashy subscriber counts. They care about:
Pricing varies, but channels are often listed based on a multiple of monthly profit, depending on how stable and attractive they are. Evergreen niches like finance, education, or software tend to command higher value than trend-based content.
You don’t want to list your channel on a sketchy forum and hope for the best. There are real risks here, like scams, chargebacks, hacked accounts, or fake buyers trying to get logins without paying.
If you’re serious about selling, use a vetted marketplace that offers escrow, identity verification, and valuation tools. That way, you’re not flying blind.
So, can you sell a YouTube channel? Yes — legally and commonly. YouTube doesn’t provide an official channel transfer feature, but using Brand Accounts makes it possible to change owners without violating any published rules.
If you’re looking for a way to sell without the sketchiness, Motion Invest now supports YouTube channel sales. We connect vetted buyers and sellers, offer accurate valuations, and handle the transaction details, so you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Check out our available YouTube channels, and learn more about selling your YouTube channel today.
Because if a channel has real value, the process of selling it should be just as solid.
Motion Invest has helped thousands of entrepreneurs just like you to sell and buy websites.
