Quick answer: If your YouTube AdSense Step 2 is “In progress”, Google is still creating or approving your AdSense for YouTube account. YouTube says this usually takes several days, and sometimes 2-3 weeks. Linking an existing account takes only minutes, so a long wait almost always means a new account is under review. Step 3 (channel review) will not start until Step 2 shows “Done”.
You hit 1,000 subscribers. You crossed the watch-hour line. You accepted the terms. Then Step 2 just sits there in brown text: In progress. Days pass. Nothing changes. This guide is built as a day-by-day timeline, so you can see exactly where you are, what is normal, and what to do on each day.
What “In progress” on Step 2 really means
The Earn tab in YouTube Studio has three steps:
| Step | Name | What happens | Normal time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Review Base terms | You accept the YouTube Partner Program terms | Instant |
| 2 | Sign up for AdSense for YouTube | Google creates or links your payment account | Minutes (existing account) to 2-3 weeks (new account) |
| 3 | Get reviewed | YouTube checks your channel against monetization policies | Usually within a month |
The message under Step 2 says your account “is being created or associated”. That is two different jobs:
- Associated = you linked an AdSense account you already had. According to YouTube Help, this typically takes a few minutes. Studio can take up to 24 hours to show it.
- Created = you made a brand-new AdSense for YouTube account. Google has to approve it first. That is the “several days to 2-3 weeks” part.
So the first thing to ask yourself is simple: did I create a new account, or link an old one? Your answer decides which timeline below applies to you.
The YouTube AdSense Step 2 timeline (day by day)
Day 0-1: Right after you click “Accept association”
- Do nothing drastic. A delay of a few hours is normal.
- Check your Gmail (and the spam folder) for a message from the AdSense team. It may say “welcome”, or it may ask for missing details.
- If you linked an existing account, refresh YouTube Studio after 24 hours. It should switch to “Done”.
Day 2-3: Still “In progress”
Now check the most common silent mistake: the wrong Google account. Your AdSense account can belong to a different Gmail than the one you use for YouTube. Sign in to AdSense with each Google account you own and look for:
- A banner asking you to complete your payment profile
- A request to verify your phone number or identity
- A message that says an account already exists under your name
Day 4-7: The normal waiting zone
For a new AdSense for YouTube account, a week of “In progress” is still normal. Creators on Reddit and YTtalk often report 5-7 days. Use this time well:
- Keep uploading on your usual schedule.
- Do not delete old videos or make the channel private.
- Do not create a second AdSense account “just to try again”. This is the number one way people make the problem worse.
Day 8-14: Time to troubleshoot
Still stuck after a week? Go through the diagnosis table below. Most long waits come from one of these causes.
Day 15-21: The upper edge of normal
Google’s own range ends at 2-3 weeks. Keep checking your email daily. Make sure your payee name in AdSense matches your ID card exactly, because a mismatch can hold up approval.
Day 21+: Escalate
Once you pass three weeks, you are outside the normal range. Post in the YouTube Help Community or contact @TeamYouTube on X. Always say: how many days Step 2 has shown “In progress”, whether you created a new account or linked an old one, and your country.
New account vs existing account: which is faster?
If you already have an approved AdSense account from a blog or website, linking it is the quickest route. You just sign in, check that your channel URL shows under “Your website”, and click “Accept association”. Many creators see Step 2 turn green the same day.
A brand-new account takes longer because Google has to check your name, address and phone, and make sure you do not already own another account. That is why two creators who apply on the same day can finish Step 2 a week apart. Neither of them is doing anything wrong. They are simply on different paths.
One more tip: if you have an old account but you no longer use its Gmail, recover that Gmail first. Opening a fresh account while the old one still exists is the most common reason for a duplicate-account rejection.
Diagnosis table: why Step 2 is stuck and how to fix it
| Sign you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Email: “You already have an existing AdSense account” | Duplicate account. Google allows only one per person. | Link the old account with “Change association”, or close it and keep one. |
| AdSense asks for a website URL | Account was started on the AdSense homepage, not in YouTube Studio | Start the account again from the Earn tab in YouTube Studio. |
| Nothing changes after 24h on an existing account | Wrong Google login linked | Sign in with the Gmail that owns AdSense and re-link. |
| AdSense shows “Fix issues” or a red alert | Missing payment profile, phone or ID details | Complete every field; name must match your ID. |
| Page crashed while linking | Ad blocker or browser problem | Turn off ad blockers, use Chrome incognito or another device, and try again from Earn. |
| Old AdSense was disapproved or closed | Past policy issue on your name | Do not open new accounts; ask in the Help Community for review. |
Important rule: YouTube’s YPP eligibility page says you should only create a new AdSense for YouTube account inside YouTube Studio. An account made directly on the AdSense website is built for sites and blogs, and it often causes Step 2 problems.
Things you should NOT do while Step 2 is in progress
- Don’t make a second AdSense account. It triggers the duplicate-account rejection.
- Don’t keep clicking “Start” again and again. One request is enough.
- Don’t change your channel name, country or privacy settings. Keep things stable.
- Don’t buy views or subscribers to “speed things up”. It will hurt you in Step 3.
- Don’t trust “instant approval” services. No one outside Google can approve your account.
What happens after Step 2 turns “Done”
As soon as Step 2 is complete, Step 3 “Get reviewed” starts by itself. Real people at YouTube look at your channel theme, most-watched videos, newest uploads and video titles, thumbnails and descriptions. YouTube says it usually emails a decision within a month.
Later, when your AdSense balance reaches the verification threshold, Google posts a PIN to your address. Make sure your address can receive normal mail. Without the PIN, you cannot get paid.
Use the waiting time to grow
Monetization is just one income stream. While you wait, you can prepare other ones:
- Build a clean creator profile that brands trust.
- Learn how small creators land their first sponsor.
- Write a brand pitch email that gets replies.
- Batch your content with a social media scheduler so uploads never stop.
FAQ
How long does YouTube AdSense Step 2 stay “In progress”?
For a new AdSense for YouTube account, usually several days and sometimes 2-3 weeks. For an existing account, linking takes a few minutes, and Studio can take up to 24 hours to update.
Will YouTube review my channel while Step 2 is in progress?
No. Step 3 “Get reviewed” begins only after both Step 1 and Step 2 are complete. Until then, your channel is not in the review queue.
Can I use my old blog AdSense account for YouTube?
Yes. If it is active and approved, link it from the Earn tab. This is usually the fastest path, because association takes minutes.
Should I delete my AdSense account and start again?
Only if Google tells you that you have a duplicate account. Otherwise, deleting and recreating usually adds more delay, not less.
Who can I contact if Step 2 is stuck for over 3 weeks?
Post in the YouTube Help Community or message @TeamYouTube. Creator support chat is often only for YPP members, so community help is the main route before approval.
Conclusion
A YouTube AdSense Step 2 “In progress” status is frustrating, but in most cases it is just Google approving a new account. Give it 7 days. Then check for the wrong Google login, duplicate accounts and missing payment details. After 21 days, escalate with clear details. Most of all, keep uploading. When Step 2 finally turns green, you want your channel to look active and ready for review.
