YouTube Partner Program requirements in 2027
Checked against YouTube Help and the YouTube Blog on . Unofficial; YouTube decides what counts.
YouTube is changing the YPP entry bar, the Shorts earnings rules and the activity rules on 1 February 2027. Here is what changes, what doesn't, and which numbers apply to you, straight from YouTube's own pages.
Joining YPP: before and after 1 February 2027
Today a channel needs 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 qualified watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. Watch hours from the Shorts Feed don't count towards the 4,000 hours.[YouTube Help: YouTube Partner Program overview & eligibility]
From 1 February 2027 new creators need 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 qualified watch hours in the last 365 days or 20M qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. Channels already in YPP are not affected by this change.[YouTube Help: Changes to the YouTube Partner Program][YouTube Blog, 10 Aug 2026: New opportunities to earn and changes to the YouTube Partner Program]
| Entry path (ads & Premium) | Until 31 Jan 2027 | From 1 Feb 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Watch hours | 4,000 in 12 months | 8,000 in 365 days |
| or Shorts views | 10M in 90 days | 20M in 90 days |
Source:[YouTube Help: YouTube Partner Program overview & eligibility][YouTube Help: Changes to the YouTube Partner Program]
Fan funding, Shopping and Creator Partnerships: unchanged
There are no changes to the eligibility requirements for fan funding, YouTube Creator Partnerships or YouTube Shopping: 500 subscribers plus either 3,000 qualified watch hours in the last year or 3M qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.[YouTube Help: Changes to the YouTube Partner Program]
Already in YPP? The 10M Shorts earnings rule
From 1 February 2027, to earn each month from the Shorts Creator Pool you need 10M qualified Shorts views over the last 90 days. Missing it doesn't remove you from YPP or affect your other YPP earnings, including long-form videos.[YouTube Help: Changes to the YouTube Partner Program]
Views are measured over the 90 days ending on the 15th of the month before the month being paid, and payments use eligible engaged views.[YouTube Help: YouTube Shorts monetization policies]
Separately, if an advertiser targets an ad to five or fewer channels, eligible creators can earn a direct 45% revenue share on top of their Creator Pool earnings.[YouTube Help: Changes to the YouTube Partner Program]
Staying active
From 1 February 2027 a YPP channel counts as active if it has 1,000 qualified watch hours in the past 365 days, or 1 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days, or uploads 2 long-form videos or 5 Shorts every 90 days. Channels that drop below get an extended 90-day window to get back to 1,000 hours or 1M Shorts views.[YouTube Help: Changes to the YouTube Partner Program]
Accept the new terms by 31 January 2027
To keep fully monetizing, review and accept the updated terms in YouTube Studio by 31 January 2027. If you don't, you stop earning from the associated features from 1 February 2027 until you accept, but your YPP status isn't affected.[YouTube Help: Changes to the YouTube Partner Program]
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What are the YPP requirements from 1 February 2027?
New creators need 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 qualified watch hours in the last 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. Channels already in YPP are not affected.
Do I need to requalify if I'm already in YPP?
No. YouTube says your YPP status is not affected by the new entry thresholds. You do need to accept the updated terms in YouTube Studio by 31 January 2027 to keep fully monetizing.
Did the 500-subscriber tier change?
No. Fan funding, YouTube Shopping and Creator Partnerships still need 500 subscribers plus 3,000 qualified watch hours in the last year or 3 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.
What does YouTube count as an active YPP channel in 2027?
Any of: 1,000 qualified watch hours in the past 365 days, 1 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days, or 2 long-form videos or 5 Shorts uploaded every 90 days.