Why Are Ads Appearing on My YouTube Videos If I'm Not Monetized?

It's actually quite common for YouTube to place ads on videos from unmonetized channels. This has been their practice for a few years. They do this to help offset their costs, especially for storing all the content uploaded by channels that haven't yet reached the monetization threshold. So, seeing ads does not necessarily mean you're getting paid for them yet.

If you're seeing ads, make sure to check if you've used any copyrighted music or content in your videos. Sometimes, videos can receive Content ID claims if they include music or other material that isn't original, which might also affect how ads are handled on your channel.

When you do get monetized, you'll have more control over the ads that appear on your videos, including placement options. Until then, any ads you see are solely for YouTube's revenue, and they keep all the earnings. It can be frustrating, but it's part of their model.