YouTube raises the 'monetization' bar for new creators in 2027 - Check watch hours, shorts views and what changes for existing partners

YouTube is raising the bar for new creators who want to earn advertising and YouTube Premium revenue through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Starting February 1, 2027, new applicants will need significantly more watch time or Shorts views to qualify for the full revenue-sharing tier. The 1,000-subscriber requirement remains unchanged. However, creators will need to meet one of two higher performance targets. For long-form videos, new applicants will need 8,000 qualified public watch hours during the previous 365 days, compared with the current 4,000-hour requirement. The latest updates represent the first major overhaul of YouTube’s Partner Program since 2018.

Creators who focus on Shorts will need 20 million qualified public Shorts views within 90 days, up from the current 10 million views. Creators need to meet the subscriber requirement plus one of these two performance targets. The changes primarily affect new creators applying for the full YPP revenue-sharing tier after the new rules take effect. According to Forbes, channels that fall below the threshold will remain in the program and continue earning revenue from long-form content. Shorts revenue will automatically resume once the channel reaches the required threshold again.

YouTube says creators who are already in the Partner Program will not lose their existing status simply because the new entry thresholds are higher. However, existing partners will face separate changes involving Shorts earnings, channel activity and updated program terms. A channel must have at least 1,000 watch hours in the past 12 months, 1 million Shorts views, or maintain a minimum upload schedule of two long-form videos or five Shorts every 90 days, reported Forbes.


According to the outlet, YouTube says the changes will free resources for new support programs targeting smaller channels. Creators with fewer than 10 million views could receive incentives through YouTube Shopping bonuses, brand-deal rewards and trend-based boosts. The company is also expanding Premium Lite to all countries where Premium is available, potentially increasing creator earnings as Premium viewers generate more revenue.

For aspiring creators, the message is clear: reaching monetization will require more sustained audience growth. Building regular watch time, creating engaging videos and developing a loyal audience could become even more important as the new rules approach.