YouTube tightens creator monetization requirements
YouTube is tightening creator monetization requirements and changing how earnings work in its Partner Program. New creators will need 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days to qualify. The platform is also introducing new earning opportunities through Premium Lite subscriptions while restructuring Shorts revenue for creators with fewer than 10 million views.
We live in a great time of prosperity, safety, and abundance (for now), and I hope it lasts much longer. But we also live in an age of new technologies full of rapid changes that don't much care about anyone. Have you invested your time as a creator in YouTube? Then you'll likely need to invest even more now.
What are the new entry requirements for YouTube Partner Program?
New creators need either 8,000 qualified watch hours in the last 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. This change only applies to new creators; existing YPP members are not affected.
How do the Shorts monetization changes impact creators?
Starting February 1, 2027, creators with 10 million Shorts views in 90 days can earn from ads and subscriptions. Those below this threshold access new incentive programs including YouTube Shopping bonuses and earnings from trend creation.
What is Premium Lite and how do creators benefit from it?
Premium Lite is a cheaper subscription offering offline and background viewing. Creators receive 60% of Premium Lite revenue (compared to 30% for regular Premium), distributed based on member watch time and views.
- YouTube Premium rises across Europe as users seek alternatives — reddit.com 73 % match
- Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold – foldable phone announcement on August 12 — youtube.com 66 % match
- Replit launches Free Mode with OpenAI GPT-5.6 Luna for paying subscribers — replit.com 66 % match
- YouTube3
- YouTube Partner Program
- YouTube Shorts
- Premium Lite
- YouTube Premium
- YouTube Shopping
- YouTube Studio