YouTube, a leading online video-sharing platform, has unveiled tougher eligibility requirements for new content creators seeking to earn money through its Partner Program.
Under the updated policy, creators applying for advertising and YouTube Premium revenue will need to meet higher watch-time or Shorts-view thresholds than previously required.
New Watch Hours Policy
According to YouTube, the new requirements will apply to new applicants from February 1, 2027. Creators will need either 8,000 eligible watch hours over the previous 365 days or 20 million eligible YouTube Shorts views within the previous 90 days.
Previously, applicants were required to accumulate 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views, meaning both viewing thresholds have effectively been doubled.
The minimum subscriber requirement, however, will remain unchanged at 1,000 subscribers.
YouTube’s Partner Program allows creators to generate income from their content, with more than three million creators worldwide currently earning through the platform.
