Money guide
YouTube monetisation requirements in 2026 (and the 2027 changes)
YouTube’s Partner Program has two tiers in 2026. Fan funding and Shopping unlock at 500 subscribers, three public uploads in 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days. Ad revenue unlocks at 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. From 1 February 2027, new applicants for ad revenue will need 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views. Here’s everything in detail.
The two Partner Program tiers (October 2026)
| Fan funding and Shopping tier | Ad revenue tier | |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 500 | 1,000 |
| Uploads | 3 public uploads in the last 90 days | — |
| Watch time or Shorts views | 3,000 public watch hours in 12 months, or 3M Shorts views in 90 days | 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months, or 10M Shorts views in 90 days |
| Unlocks | Memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, Shopping | Everything above, plus a share of ad revenue |
Both tiers also need 2-Step Verification on your Google account, no active Community Guidelines strikes and a linked AdSense account. You need to be 18 or over (or have a parent or guardian handle AdSense) to earn ad revenue, and 18+ for memberships and the Super features. Both tiers are available in the UK and US (YouTube Help). Meeting the thresholds lets you apply: YouTube then reviews every channel against its monetisation policies, so approval isn’t automatic.
What changes on 1 February 2027
YouTube announced on 10 August 2026 that, from 1 February 2027 (YouTube blog):
- New applicants for ad revenue will need 8,000 watch hours in 12 months or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days (YouTube hasn’t announced a change to the 1,000-subscriber minimum). Channels already in the programme keep their status.
- Shorts revenue sharing will require 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days, and will restart automatically when a channel crosses that line again.
- The fan funding tier stays the same.
- Existing partners must accept the updated terms in YouTube Studio by 31 January 2027 to keep fully monetising (YouTube Help).
If you’re close to the current thresholds, aim to qualify and apply well before February 2027, as every application is reviewed first.
How Shorts revenue sharing works
Ad revenue from the Shorts feed is pooled each month. Music licensing costs come out first, then the pool is shared by each creator’s share of engaged Shorts views in each country, and the creator keeps 45% of their share. Shorts over one minute that contain Content ID-claimed material are blocked and can’t be monetised (YouTube Help).
What can stop you earning
- Inauthentic content. Since July 2025, mass-produced or repetitive content (for example identical slideshows with the same narration) can’t be monetised. AI tools are fine when the video adds significant original value, but YouTube requires you to disclose realistic AI-generated or altered content when you upload, and can suspend creators who consistently don’t from the Partner Program (YouTube Help).
- Reused content without meaningful commentary or editing.
- Copyright claims, especially music.
- Community Guidelines strikes.
- Undisclosed paid promotion: tick “includes paid promotion” in YouTube Studio for sponsored videos, and also say it’s an ad in the video and the description, because legal disclosure is still your responsibility (#ad rules).
Beyond the Partner Program
Ad revenue is rarely a creator’s biggest earner. Most channels earn more from sponsorships, affiliate links and their own products. Sponsorships often start before you’re monetised, especially in high-value niches: see YouTube sponsorship rates.
Frequently asked questions
How many subscribers do you need to get paid on YouTube?
500 subscribers for the fan funding tier (memberships, Super Chat, Super Thanks), and 1,000 for ad revenue, together with the watch-time or Shorts-view requirements.
How many watch hours do you need to monetise YouTube?
3,000 public watch hours in 12 months for the fan funding tier and 4,000 for ad revenue (or the Shorts-view alternatives). From 1 February 2027, new ad revenue applicants will need 8,000 hours.
Can you monetise YouTube with Shorts only?
Yes: 10 million public Shorts views in 90 days (with 1,000 subscribers) lets you apply for ad revenue, or 3 million for the fan funding tier. From February 2027, new applicants will need 20 million.
How much of Shorts ad revenue do creators get?
Creators keep 45% of their share of the Shorts revenue pool, after music licensing costs.
Will my channel lose monetisation in 2027?
Existing partners keep their status, but must accept the updated terms by 31 January 2027. Shorts revenue sharing will need 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days from February 2027.
Good to know: this guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rates and earnings are estimates, not promises, and platform rules change, so check the official pages we link to. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Threads, X, LinkedIn and the other names mentioned are trademarks of their owners; Growth Club isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by them.