Monetization on YouTube is about to get tougher. New eligibility standards will require creators to double their watch hours or Shorts views. The changes could impact smaller channels and niche creators.
Content creators aiming to earn revenue from YouTube will soon face significantly higher hurdles. The platform announced it is doubling the eligibility requirements for its Partner Program, making it more challenging for new and existing channels to access ad and subscription income.
Starting soon, creators must reach at least 8,000 qualified watch hours in the past 12 months or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This marks a sharp increase from the current thresholds of 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views, both of which also require a minimum of 1,000 subscribers.
YouTube stated these are the first major changes to its revenue-sharing program since 2018, when it shifted from a simple 10,000 total views per channel to the current model. The company says the new standards are designed to keep pace with the platform’s rapid growth and evolving content landscape.
From February 1, 2027, creators will also need to maintain at least 10 million Shorts views within a 90-day window to remain eligible for revenue sharing from ads and subscriptions in the Shorts feed. Channels that fall below this threshold will still be part of YPP and can continue earning from long-form videos, but Shorts revenue sharing will pause until they regain the required view count.
For creators who do not meet the new Shorts view minimums, YouTube plans to introduce alternative incentives, such as bonuses for YouTube Shopping, brand partnerships, and additional earnings opportunities tied to emerging trends. The company says these measures are intended to support channels that may not reach the highest view counts but still contribute to the platform’s diversity.
With more than 3 million creators currently enrolled in YPP, the updated requirements are expected to have a broad impact. YouTube reports that Shorts now generate over 200 billion daily views, and viewers watch more than a billion hours of content on TV each day. However, the stricter rules may make it harder for smaller or niche channels to monetize, potentially affecting creators who serve specialized communities and the brands that target them.
These changes come as publishers and creators continue to adapt their strategies for audience growth and revenue. For example, Time recently saw a dramatic increase in YouTube views after focusing on creator-led video initiatives and newsroom collaboration, as detailed in a report on its social-first video strategy.
YouTube, owned by Google, has operated its Partner Program for two decades, providing a key revenue stream for digital creators worldwide. The company says the new eligibility standards reflect the scale and complexity of today’s creator economy, as well as the platform’s ongoing efforts to balance growth with quality and sustainability.
