Looking to Start Making Passive Income? Buy These 3 High-Yield Dividend Stocks First.

Investing in dividend stocks is one of the simplest ways to generate passive income. Many companies pay dividends, with several offering attractive yields. However, not every high-yielding dividend stock will provide a sustainable passive income stream.

Here are three high-yielding dividend stocks ideal for those looking to start generating passive income. They have an excellent record of paying a growing dividend, which should continue.

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Brookfield Infrastructure (NYSE: BIPC) (NYSE: BIP) operates a globally diversified portfolio of critical infrastructure assets. It focuses on owning assets in the utilities, transport, midstream, and data sectors secured by long-term contracts and government-regulated rate structures. Those frameworks provide it with stable, durable cash flows.

The infrastructure company currently yields over 4%, several times higher than the S&P 500 's 1.1% dividend yield. Brookfield Infrastructure has increased its dividend in each of its 17 years as a public company, growing the payout at a 9% compound annual rate. The company aims to increase its dividend at a 5% to 9% annual rate over the long term.

It's in a strong position to achieve that goal. Brookfield Infrastructure estimates that its organic growth drivers, which include inflation-indexed rate increases, volume growth as the global economy expands, and expansion projects, will deliver 6% to 9% annual growth in funds from operations (FFO) per share. Meanwhile, acquisitions should push its long-term FFO growth rate above 10% annualized.

Realty Income (NYSE: O) is one of the world's largest real estate investment trusts (REITs) . The company owns a diversified portfolio of more than 15,500 retail, industrial, gaming, and other properties across the U.S. and Europe. It invests in properties secured by long-term net leases with many of the world's leading companies. Those leases supply it with very stable rental income.

The REIT pays a monthly dividend that currently yields more than 5%. Realty Income has increased its dividend 134 times since its public market listing in 1994, growing it at a 4.2% compound annual rate. It has raised its payment for 114 consecutive quarters and 31 straight years.