Guide · Verified September 19, 2026
YouTube Monetization Requirements in 2026
YouTube currently has an expanded-YPP application path for earlier access to selected features and a higher threshold for ads and Premium revenue sharing. The numbers are only one part of eligibility: account setup, regional availability, policy compliance, and channel review also matter.
Before the thresholds
Account and policy prerequisites
- Follow YouTube's channel monetization policies
- Live in a country or region where the relevant YouTube Partner Program option is available
- Have no active Community Guidelines strikes
- Turn on 2-Step Verification for the Google Account
- Have access to YouTube advanced features
- Have one active AdSense for YouTube account linked, or be ready to set one up in YouTube Studio
Current 2026 thresholds
Choose the activity path that reflects your channel
Ads + Premium
Full revenue-sharing threshold
- 1,000 subscribers
- Either 4,000 valid public watch hours from long-form videos in the past 12 months
- Or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days
Eligible regions
Expanded-YPP threshold
Earlier access to selected fan-funding and Shopping features.
- 500 subscribers
- 3 valid public uploads in the past 90 days
- Either 3,000 valid public watch hours from long-form videos in the past 12 months
- Or 3 million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days
What counts
Valid public activity is narrower than Analytics watch time
For the long-form path, YouTube counts valid watch hours from public long-form videos. It excludes hours from private, unlisted, or deleted videos; ad campaigns; Shorts; and live streams that are unlisted, deleted, or not converted to video on demand.
For the Shorts path, YouTube counts valid engaged views from public Shorts in the Shorts Feed. Private, unlisted, or deleted Shorts and views from ad campaigns do not count toward the threshold.
Channel review
Original and authentic content still decides acceptance
YouTube reviews the channel, not just the counters. Its current policy says monetized content should be original and authentic rather than mass-produced, generic, repetitive, or minimally changed from another source. It may examine the channel's main theme, newest and most-viewed videos, largest share of watch time, metadata, and About section.
Upcoming rule change
Ads and Premium entry changes February 1, 2027
YouTube has announced a higher activity threshold for new applicants beginning February 1, 2027: 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 qualified watch hours in the previous 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days. The announcement says creators already in YPP are not affected and the expanded-YPP thresholds remain unchanged.
Plan the work
Measure the correct path
Primary sources
Source trail
Questions
FAQ
How many subscribers do you need to monetize on YouTube in 2026?
The current ads and YouTube Premium revenue-sharing threshold starts at 1,000 subscribers. In eligible countries and regions, the expanded YPP application threshold starts at 500 subscribers and can provide earlier access to selected fan-funding and Shopping features when its activity requirements are also met.
How many watch hours do you need for ad revenue?
Under the rules in force on September 19, 2026, the long-form path requires 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months plus 1,000 subscribers. Ten million valid public Shorts views in 90 days is the alternative activity path.
Do Shorts watch hours count toward the 4,000-hour threshold?
No. YouTube says public watch hours from Shorts views in the Shorts Feed do not count toward the 4,000 valid-public-watch-hour threshold. Shorts use their own valid-view path.
Does reaching the threshold guarantee acceptance?
No. Reaching a threshold lets a channel apply. YouTube reviews the channel against its monetization policies, and earning features can have additional age, location, audience, contract, and content requirements.
Are the requirements changing in 2027?
Yes. YouTube has announced that beginning February 1, 2027, new applicants seeking ads and Premium revenue will need 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days. Its announcement says the expanded-YPP thresholds are unchanged.