YouTube Monetization Requirements 2026 (+ 2027 Changes)

YouTube monetization requirements in 2026

YouTube monetization requirements in 2026 depend on which part of the YouTube Partner Program you mean. Fan-funding features are not the same bar as ads. On 10 August 2026, TeamYouTube announced higher entry numbers for ads and Premium revenue. Those new numbers apply to new applicants from 1 February 2027.

Until 31 January 2027, new applicants for full ads access still need 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 valid public watch hours in 12 months or 10 million valid public Shorts views in 90 days. From 1 February 2027, new applicants need 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days.

What does not change for people already in the program

If a channel is already in the YouTube Partner Program, TeamYouTube said it will not be removed, and will not lose long-form ads, only because it sits under the new entry numbers. From 1 February 2027, Shorts revenue sharing needs 10 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days. Dropping below that pauses Shorts pay. It does not by itself remove the channel.

Fan funding, such as channel memberships and Super Chat, stays on the earlier public tier described in the same announcement: 500 subscribers and either 3,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days or 3 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days. Existing members also need to accept updated terms by 31 January 2027 to keep earning from the related features. Country eligibility, no active Community Guidelines strikes, 2-Step Verification, and an AdSense for YouTube account still apply. Confirm the live checklist in YouTube Studio.

From 1 February 2027, YouTube also defines an active Partner Program channel: at least 1,000 qualified public watch hours in the past 365 days, or 1 million qualified Shorts views in the past 90 days, or uploads of two long-form videos or five Shorts every 90 days. A channel that meets none of these gets an extra 90 days to reach the watch-hour or Shorts-view figure before monetization can be affected.

Sources and further reading

Frequently asked questions

How many watch hours do I need for YouTube monetization?

Until 31 January 2027, new applicants need 4,000 valid public watch hours in 12 months, or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days, plus 1,000 subscribers. From 1 February 2027, new applicants need 8,000 qualified watch hours or 20 million qualified Shorts views, plus 1,000 subscribers.

Do current Partner Program channels lose monetization in 2027?

TeamYouTube said existing channels are not removed and do not lose long-form ads only because they are under the new entry thresholds. They do need to accept the updated terms.

What is the Shorts requirement?

From 1 February 2027, Shorts ads and subscription revenue need 10 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days. Below that, Shorts revenue pauses. The channel can stay in the program.

What counts as an active channel from 2027?

From 1 February 2027 a Partner Program channel counts as active with 1,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days, or 1 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days, or two long-form or five Shorts uploads every 90 days. Inactive channels get an extra 90-day window to recover.

Is the subscriber requirement still 1,000?

Yes for the ads and Premium entry path described in the 10 August 2026 announcement. Fan funding remains available from the lower 500-subscriber tier.

Does this work in every country?

No. The YouTube Partner Program is limited to eligible countries. Check your country inside YouTube Studio. Watch-hour math does not override country eligibility.

Where is the official announcement?

TeamYouTube published it on 10 August 2026 in the YouTube Help Community. The ongoing help page is YouTube's article on how to join the YouTube Partner Program.

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