YouTube to double monetization requirements for new creators in 2027

YouTube has announced a major overhaul of its YouTube Partner Program (YPP), marking its most significant update since 2018. Starting February 1, 2027, the platform will double the entry requirements for new creators to begin monetizing content.

To join the program, new applicants must reach 8,000 public watch hours on long-form videos within the previous 365 days, or achieve 20 million qualified Shorts views within a 90-day period. The existing requirement of 1,000 subscribers remains unchanged.

Existing members will not be subject to the new entry thresholds but must accept updated terms to continue monetizing. However, new ongoing requirements will affect Shorts creators: to maintain revenue sharing from Shorts, channels must sustain at least 10 million qualified Shorts views every 90 days. If a channel falls below this mark, it remains in the YPP and can still earn from long-form videos, but Shorts monetization will pause until the threshold is met again.

Additionally, YouTube is expanding its Premium Lite subscription tier to all markets where YouTube Premium is available. The platform will distribute revenue from these subscriptions to creators, allocating 30% of net revenue from standard Premium and 60% from Premium Lite into creator funds, split 55% for long-form content and 45% for Shorts.