To get monetized on YouTube today, you need 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. These requirements apply to applications until January 31, 2027. From February 1, 2027, new applicants will need twice as much: 1,000 subscribers plus 8,000 watch hours in the last 365 days or 20 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.
If you are close to the current numbers, applying before February 2027 is the single most important thing you can do. Channels already in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) keep their status, as long as they stay active and accept the updated terms.
YouTube Monetization Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Until January 31, 2027 | From February 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Long-form route | 4,000 valid public watch hours in 12 months | 8,000 valid public watch hours in 365 days |
| Shorts route | 10 million valid public Shorts views in 90 days | 20 million valid public Shorts views in 90 days |
| Early access tier (fan funding and Shopping) | 500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in 90 days, and 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days | Unchanged |
You only need one route: either the watch-hour route or the Shorts route, not both. Shorts views do not count toward watch hours, and watch hours do not count toward Shorts views.
What You Need Besides Subscribers and Watch Hours
Every channel also has to meet these basic conditions before YouTube reviews an application:
- Live in a country where YPP is available. The program covers most countries, but not all.
- Have no active Community Guidelines strikes on the channel.
- Turn on 2-Step Verification on the Google account linked to the channel.
- Have or create an AdSense account to receive payments. YouTube pays out once your balance reaches $100.
- Follow YouTube’s monetization policies, including the rules on inauthentic and reused content.
How Many Subscribers Do You Need to Get Paid on YouTube?
You need 1,000 subscribers to earn ad revenue, and 500 subscribers to unlock the early access tier. The early access tier does not include ads. It gives you fan funding features (Channel Memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks) plus YouTube Shopping.
For most small channels, subscribers are the slower half of the requirement. Watch hours can arrive in a burst when one video takes off, but subscribers build up over many uploads. A channel that already has the watch time but is stuck at 600 or 700 subscribers often needs a push in that last stretch, and growing your YouTube subscribers before February 2027 lets you apply under the current, lower watch-hour rules.
How Many Watch Hours Do You Need to Monetize YouTube?
You need 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months until January 31, 2027, and 8,000 valid public watch hours in the last 365 days from February 1, 2027. The window rolls forward every day, so hours older than 12 months drop out.
Only some viewing counts:
- Counts: views of public long-form videos, including public live stream replays.
- Does not count: Shorts, private and unlisted videos, deleted videos, and views from ads you ran on your own videos.
You can track your progress in YouTube Studio under Earn, where YouTube shows your subscribers and watch hours against the requirement. If your channel already has subscribers but your watch time lags behind, longer videos, playlists and end screens help viewers stay for more than one video. When you need to close the gap before the deadline, Famety also offers YouTube watch hours for channels that are close to the threshold.
YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements
To join YPP through Shorts, you need 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. From February 1, 2027, that entry bar rises to 20 million views in 90 days.
The rules for staying in the Shorts revenue pool are changing as well. From February 2027, partners must keep 10 million qualified Shorts views over the previous 90 days to earn from the Shorts Creator Pool each month. If a channel falls below that number, its Shorts earnings pause, but the channel stays in YPP and keeps its long-form revenue.
Shorts revenue is also shared differently. Long-form ad revenue is split 55% to the creator and 45% to YouTube, while Shorts revenue is pooled and creators receive 45% of their share. If your Shorts get few views, see our guide on why YouTube Shorts are not getting views.
What Changes for Existing Partners in 2027
YouTube announced the update on August 10, 2026. Channels already in YPP do not have to meet the new 8,000-hour or 20-million-view entry requirements, but three new rules apply to them from February 1, 2027:
- Accept the updated terms by January 31, 2027. Partners who do not accept the updated modules in YouTube Studio stop earning from the affected features on February 1.
- Stay active. To remain an active partner, a channel needs at least one of the following: 1,000 qualified watch hours in the past 365 days, 1 million qualified Shorts views in the past 90 days, or two long-form uploads or five Shorts uploads every 90 days.
- Keep 10 million Shorts views in 90 days to keep earning from the Shorts Creator Pool.
The activity rule replaces the older guideline that channels inactive for six months could lose monetization. Most active channels meet it without doing anything new, but channels that post only a few times a year should plan a steadier schedule.
Which Content Can Be Monetized?
Meeting the numbers is only half of the review. YouTube also checks whether the channel follows its monetization policies. In July 2025, YouTube renamed its “repetitious content” policy to “inauthentic content” and clarified what it covers:
- Mass-produced or template videos with little original input, such as the same slideshow with a different voiceover.
- Reused content from other creators without meaningful commentary, editing or transformation.
- Repetitive uploads that look almost identical to each other.
AI tools are allowed. A video made with AI help can be monetized when it adds clear original value, such as your own script, commentary, research or editing. Realistic altered or synthetic content must be labeled with the “altered or synthetic content” disclosure when you upload it.
Faceless channels that rely only on stock footage and automated voiceover are the most likely to be rejected. Adding your own narration, on-screen commentary or original data makes a review far easier to pass.
How to Apply for the YouTube Partner Program
- Open YouTube Studio and click Earn in the left menu.
- If you are not eligible yet, click Get notified to receive an email when you are.
- Once eligible, click Apply, review and accept the base terms.
- Connect an existing AdSense account or create a new one.
- Wait for review. YouTube usually responds within about a month, sometimes longer when many channels apply at once.
If your application is rejected, YouTube tells you which policy it applied. You can reapply after 30 days, or after 90 days if your channel was rejected before. Use that time to remove or improve the videos that do not meet the policies.
How Much Can You Earn After Monetization?
Earnings depend on your niche, your audience’s countries and the type of content. Long-form videos usually earn far more per view than Shorts, because they show more ads and the creator keeps 55% of ad revenue. For real-world numbers, see our breakdowns of how much YouTube pays for 1 billion views.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the YouTube monetization requirements in 2026?
Until January 31, 2027, you need 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. You also need 2-Step Verification, no active strikes and an AdSense account.
Are YouTube monetization requirements changing?
Yes. From February 1, 2027, new applicants need 1,000 subscribers plus 8,000 watch hours in the last 365 days or 20 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. The early access tier stays at 500 subscribers.
How many subscribers do you need to get paid on YouTube?
You need 1,000 subscribers to earn ad revenue. With 500 subscribers, three uploads in 90 days and 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views, you can unlock fan funding and YouTube Shopping, but not ads.
Do Shorts views count toward the 4,000 watch hours?
No. Shorts views only count toward the Shorts route of 10 million views in 90 days. Watch hours come from public long-form videos, including public live stream replays.
Will my channel lose monetization in 2027?
Not if you accept the updated terms by January 31, 2027 and stay active. An active channel needs 1,000 watch hours in 365 days, 1 million Shorts views in 90 days, or two long-form or five Shorts uploads every 90 days.
Can AI videos be monetized on YouTube?
Yes, if they add original value. YouTube does not monetize mass-produced, template-based or reused content, whether it is made with AI or not. Realistic synthetic content also needs the altered content label.
How long does YouTube take to review a monetization application?
YouTube usually reviews applications within about a month. During busy periods, such as before a requirement change, reviews can take longer, so apply as soon as your channel is eligible.
