YouTube Will Tighten Monetization Requirements for Channels Starting in 2027
Starting February 1, 2027, YouTube will raise the requirements for creators who want to monetize their channels through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). To earn revenue from ads and subscriptions, creators will need to have at least 1,000 subscribers and either 8,000 eligible watch hours in the last 12 months or 20 million eligible Shorts views in the last 90 days, according to The Verge.
Currently, eligibility for the program requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours per year, or 10 million Shorts views over 90 days. Thus, the new thresholds for watch hours and Shorts views are twice as high as the current ones.
To receive payments from the Shorts Creators Pool, creators will also need to maintain a level of 10 million Shorts views over 90 days. However, falling below this threshold will not result in exclusion from the YouTube Partner Program.
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Separately, YouTube is setting conditions for creators who are already participating in the YPP and want to continue earning from ads and subscriptions. They must meet at least one of the following conditions: have 1,000 watch hours in the past year, 1 million Shorts views, or upload two long-form videos or five Shorts within 90 days. Current YouTube rules stipulate removal from the program if a creator has not uploaded videos or posted updates in the “Posts” tab for at least six months.
Creators already participating in the YPP must agree to the new terms by January 31, 2027, to continue monetization. YouTube also plans to roll out the more affordable Premium Lite subscription to all countries where YouTube Premium is available. According to the platform, subscription revenue is distributed among creators based on watch time and view count: 55% goes to long-form videos, and 45% to Shorts.
