YouTube monetization rules are changing for creators who want to earn revenue from advertising and YouTube Premium. Starting February 1, 2027, new YouTube Partner Program applicants will face higher eligibility thresholds for watch hours and Shorts views.
The new rules also introduce updated Shorts earning requirements and expand creator earning opportunities through Premium Lite, YouTube Shopping, brand deals, and new Shorts incentive programs.
This article explains the updated YouTube monetization criteria for both Shorts and long-form video, what creators should do, and how to apply for YouTube monetization.
Key Takeaways:
- For new YouTube Partner Program applicants seeking advertising and YouTube Premium revenue, the Shorts threshold will increase from 10 million to 20 million qualified Shorts views within 90 days.
- The long-form route will require 8,000 qualified watch hours instead of 4,000 during the previous 365 days.
- The 1,000-subscriber requirement remains unchanged.
- Existing YouTube Partner Program creators will not be removed because of the new entry thresholds.
- The expanded 500-subscriber YouTube Partner Program threshold for fan funding and eligible Shopping features remains unchanged.
- Existing YouTube Partner Program creators should review and accept the applicable updated monetization terms in YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027.
Table of Contents
YouTube’s Monetization Requirements for Shorts
Shorts monetization requirements are changing differently for new YouTube Partner Program applicants and creators who already earn from the Shorts Creator Pool.
For new creators seeking advertising and YouTube Premium revenue, the Shorts threshold will increase from 10 million to 20 million qualified Shorts views within 90 days, alongside the 1,000-subscriber requirement.
A separate rule will apply for creators already earning through the Shorts Creator Pool. From February 2027, they must maintain 10 million qualified Shorts views over the previous 90 days to remain eligible for Shorts ad and YouTube Premium revenue sharing.
Falling below that number does not remove a creator from the YouTube Partner Program or affect long-form earnings. Shorts revenue sharing can resume once the channel reaches the threshold again.
YouTube’s Monetization Requirements for Long-Form Videos
The YouTube monetization requirements for long-form videos will also become stricter for new YouTube Partner Program applicants.
From February 1, 2027, creators will need:
- 1,000 subscribers
- 8,000 qualified watch hours during the previous 365 days
New YouTube Partner Program applicants seeking advertising and YouTube Premium revenue will need 1,000 subscribers and either 8,000 qualified watch hours in the previous 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days. The current watch-hour requirement is 4,000, making the new target twice as high.
This change applies to new applicants seeking ad and YouTube Premium revenue. Creators already in the YouTube Partner Program do not need to reach 8,000 hours to maintain their status.
How to Apply for YouTube’s Monetization
If your channel meets the eligibility requirements, you can apply for YouTube monetization through YouTube Studio.
Go to YouTube Studio → Earn → Apply Now. You must also meet YouTube’s channel eligibility and policy requirements, including having an active AdSense for YouTube account linked to your channel. You will need to accept the relevant terms and link an active AdSense for YouTube account. YouTube then reviews the channel for compliance with its monetization policies.
The expanded YouTube Partner Program’s lower eligibility tier also remains in place in eligible regions. Creators can qualify with 500 subscribers, three valid public uploads in 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours or 3 million qualified Shorts views. This level provides access to features such as fan-funding tools and eligible Shopping features rather than the full advertising and YouTube Premium revenue-sharing tier.
YouTube Partner Program’s New Requirements
Starting February 1, 2027, YouTube will also update how it determines whether a channel is active in the YouTube Partner Program. An existing channel will be considered active if it meets any one of the following requirements:
- 1,000 qualified watch hours during the previous 365 days
- 1 million qualified Shorts views during the previous 90 days
- 2 long-form videos or 5 Shorts uploaded every 90 days
Most YouTube Partner Program creators already meet these activity requirements. If a channel falls below the thresholds, YouTube will provide an extended 90-day window to meet either 1,000 qualified watch hours in the previous 365 days or 1 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days to remain in the program.
What Creators Should Do Before 2027
Creators planning to monetize should focus on consistent, original content and choose a format they can sustain.
YouTube is also expanding Premium Lite and introducing new creator opportunities involving Shopping, brand deals, and trend activations. These changes could give creators additional ways to earn income beyond traditional advertising.
Existing YouTube Partner Program creators should review the applicable updated monetization terms in YouTube Studio and accept them by January 31, 2027. The new rules will take effect on February 1, 2027.
Conclusion
YouTube’s new monetization rules will make the path to ad and YouTube Premium revenue more demanding for new creators, with both the Shorts and long-form thresholds doubling. However, eligible creators can still access fan-funding and selected Shopping features through the expanded YouTube Partner Program at lower thresholds.
For creators building a channel now, a smart approach is to plan around the 2027 requirements, publish consistently, and develop multiple ways to earn on YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for YouTube monetization with 500 subscribers?
Yes. In eligible regions, creators can join the expanded YouTube Partner Program with 500 subscribers, three valid public uploads in 90 days, and either 3,000 qualified watch hours in the last 365 days or 3 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. This lower tier does not provide the full ads and YouTube Premium revenue-sharing benefits, which require the higher 1,000-subscriber threshold and either the watch-hour or Shorts-view requirement.
Will existing YouTube Partner Program creators be affected?
Existing YouTube Partner Program creators will not lose their status simply because they do not meet the new 2027 entry thresholds. Creators earning from the Shorts Creator Pool must maintain 10 million qualified Shorts views over the previous 90 days to remain eligible for Shorts ad and YouTube Premium revenue sharing.
Does YouTube monetization happen automatically once you reach the requirements?
No. Meeting the subscriber and view or watch-hour thresholds does not guarantee approval. YouTube reviews the channel to ensure it follows its monetization policies before approving the application.
What happens if I get fewer than 10 million Shorts views?
If you are already earning Shorts Creator Pool revenue and fall below 10 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days, you will not be eligible for Shorts ad and YouTube Premium revenue sharing for that period. You remain in the YouTube Partner Program and can regain Shorts revenue sharing once you reach the threshold again.
How many subscribers do I need to monetize YouTube in 2027?
For advertising and YouTube Premium revenue, new creators will need 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 qualified watch hours in the previous 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days.
Ajmal has a background in Communicative English and works across digital marketing, web development, content creation, and related digital areas. At Oratraex, he focuses on gaming, digital marketing, technology, and emerging digital trends, helping readers understand content that matters in the digital world.
