YouTube is making it more challenging for aspiring creators to earn money through its platform. The company has announced major updates to the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP) that will take effect from February 1, 2027, increasing the eligibility threshold for new applicants.

The revised rules require creators to achieve significantly higher watch hours or Shorts views before they can access advertising revenue and YouTube Premium earnings.

The update marks YouTube's first major monetisation policy overhaul since 2018 and comes as the platform reports record-breaking engagement across long-form videos, YouTube Shorts and connected TV viewing.

What Has Changed in the YouTube Partner Programme?

Under the updated policy, creators applying for monetisation from February 1, 2027 must meet one of the following conditions:

• 8,000 qualified public watch hours within the previous 365 days (previously 4,000 hours)
• 20 million qualified Shorts views within the previous 90 days (previously 10 million views)
• Continue to maintain 1,000 subscribers, which remains unchanged.

These revised thresholds apply only to creators applying after the new rules come into force. Existing YouTube Partner Programme members will not lose their monetisation status under this change.

New Rule for YouTube Shorts Monetisation

YouTube is also introducing a new requirement that affects both existing and future creators earning from Shorts.

From February 2027, creators must maintain 10 million qualified Shorts views within a rolling 90-day period to continue receiving revenue from Shorts advertisements and YouTube Premium subscriptions.

If a creator falls below this threshold:

• Their channel will remain in the YouTube Partner Programme.
• Monetisation from long-form videos will continue.
• Shorts revenue will resume only after the channel again reaches 10 million qualified views.

Lower-Level Monetisation Remains Unchanged

YouTube confirmed that its entry-level monetisation programme will continue without changes.

Creators can still unlock fan funding and shopping tools by meeting these requirements:

• 500 subscribers
• Three public uploads within 90 days
• Either 3,000 qualified watch hours or 3 million Shorts views.

These features include memberships, Super Thanks, Shopping tools and other fan-supported revenue options.

YouTube Says Creators Could Earn More

Alongside the stricter eligibility requirements, YouTube says creators may benefit from higher earnings through Premium subscriptions.

According to the company, Premium subscribers generate higher average creator payouts compared to advertising revenue.

Under YouTube's updated revenue-sharing model:

• 30% of Premium subscription revenue and 60% of Premium Lite revenue are allocated to creator pools after operational costs.
• Eligible creators receive 55% revenue for long-form videos and 45% for Shorts, based on watch time and engagement.

The company also announced additional earning opportunities for creators who struggle to meet the Shorts threshold, including:

• Brand partnership incentives
• YouTube Shopping bonuses
• Trend participation rewards

YouTube Premium Lite Expands Globally

YouTube has also expanded Premium Lite to every market where YouTube Premium is available.

In India, Premium Lite has been available since November 2025 and costs ₹89 per month, compared to ₹149 for the standard Premium subscription.

The Lite plan provides ad-free viewing for most videos along with offline and background playback on supported content.

Why YouTube Is Changing the Rules

The policy changes come as YouTube reports unprecedented audience engagement.

The platform says users now generate:

• Around 200 billion daily Shorts views
• More than one billion hours of TV watch time every day

YouTube says the higher thresholds better reflect today's creator ecosystem while ensuring monetisation remains focused on consistently active creators.

The move also follows similar monetisation changes introduced by competing platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, both of which have recently revised their creator payout systems.

Key Takeaways

• YouTube will increase Partner Programme requirements from February 1, 2027.
• New creators will need 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views.
• The 1,000 subscriber requirement remains unchanged.
• Shorts creators must maintain 10 million views every 90 days to keep Shorts revenue.
• Existing YouTube Partner Programme members will not lose their monetisation.
• Premium Lite is now expanding globally, including India.

FAQs

When do YouTube's new monetisation rules begin?

The updated YouTube Partner Programme requirements will take effect on February 1, 2027.

How many watch hours are required for monetisation?

New creators must complete 8,000 qualified public watch hours within the previous 365 days.

Has YouTube changed the subscriber requirement?

No. The requirement of 1,000 subscribers remains unchanged.

What is the new Shorts monetisation rule?

Creators must maintain 10 million qualified Shorts views in a rolling 90-day period to continue earning Shorts advertising revenue.

Will existing monetised creators be affected?

Existing YouTube Partner Programme members will remain monetised. However, creators earning from Shorts must meet the new ongoing Shorts view requirement.