YouTube is introducing stricter monetisation requirements for new creators seeking to join its Partner Program and earn revenue from advertisements and YouTube Premium.
The new rules will apply to creators submitting applications from February 1, 2027. Under the updated policy, applicants must accumulate 8,000 eligible watch hours within the previous 365 days or 20 million eligible YouTube Shorts views within 90 days.
Previously, creators needed 4,000 eligible watch hours or 10 million eligible Shorts views to qualify. YouTube has therefore doubled both viewing thresholds.
However, the platform has kept the minimum subscriber requirement unchanged. New creators will still need at least 1,000 subscribers to join the YouTube Partner Program.
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The changes will affect only new applicants from the February 1, 2027 implementation date. Existing creators already participating in the programme will not need to meet the new entry thresholds simply because the rules are changing.
YouTube said more than 3 million creators worldwide currently earn revenue through its Partner Program.
The higher thresholds mean new creators will need to build a larger audience and generate significantly more viewing activity before they can access advertising and YouTube Premium revenue.
