YouTube Raises the Bar for Creators Seeking Monetisation

YouTube is preparing to make its main monetisation programme significantly more difficult to qualify for, with new requirements set to take effect on February 1, 2027.

Under the new rules, creators seeking to join the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP) will still need at least 1,000 subscribers. However, they will also be required to accumulate either 8,000 valid public watch hours within 12 months or 20 million Shorts views within 90 days.

That represents a major increase from the current requirements of 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views.

The changes will apply to creators seeking to qualify for YPP and will not remove creators who are already part of the programme.

Shorts creators face a tougher challenge

For creators focused heavily on YouTube Shorts, the platform is also introducing a continuing performance requirement.

Creators already earning through the Shorts revenue-sharing programme will have to maintain at least 10 million Shorts views every 90 days to keep receiving revenue from Shorts.

Those who fall below that figure will not necessarily lose their YPP membership. Instead, their Shorts earnings will be suspended until they once again reach the required viewing threshold. They can continue earning from eligible long-form content during that period.

The changes effectively mean that reaching the monetisation stage will require creators to demonstrate stronger and more consistent audience engagement.

YouTube had previously made monetisation easier

The new direction marks a significant shift from YouTube’s recent efforts to open monetisation opportunities to smaller creators.

In 2023, YouTube introduced a lower entry threshold that allowed creators with 500 subscribers, at least three public uploads within 90 days and either 3,000 watch hours or three million Shorts views to access selected YPP features.

Those lower requirements opened the door to tools such as fan funding and Shopping, although creators still had to meet the higher threshold to qualify for advertising revenue sharing.

The latest changes therefore do not completely eliminate monetisation opportunities for smaller channels. Instead, they raise the bar for creators seeking access to the platform’s broader advertising-revenue programme.

AI content is also under greater scrutiny

The announcement comes as YouTube continues its efforts to deal with low-quality and repetitive material flooding the platform.

In 2026, YouTube placed greater emphasis on its policies concerning “inauthentic content”, including repetitive and mass-produced material. The growth of AI-generated videos has added to concerns about channels producing large volumes of content with little originality or value to viewers.

The higher monetisation thresholds appear consistent with that broader strategy.

Rather than simply rewarding channels that generate a sudden spike in views, YouTube is increasingly looking for evidence that creators can build and maintain a genuine audience.

What this means for aspiring creators

For people planning to start YouTube channels, the message is clear: monetisation is becoming a longer-term game.

Creators have until January 31, 2027, before the new thresholds take effect. Those who are already members of YPP will not be removed simply because of the new qualification requirements.

The biggest challenge will likely be for new creators who rely on Shorts. Going viral once may no longer be enough to reach or maintain the necessary performance levels.

Creators will increasingly need to focus on producing original content, developing loyal audiences and generating consistent viewing figures.

For aspiring YouTubers, therefore, the days of treating monetisation as something that can be achieved through a handful of viral videos may be coming to an end.