YouTube is significantly raising the requirements for new channels that want to earn from advertising. Starting February 1, 2027, the threshold for enabling monetization will double. Moreover, the changes will affect both regular videos and Shorts.
Old channels will not be left out either. A permanent view threshold will be introduced for earning from Shorts, while existing Partner Program participants will need to accept the updated terms by the end of January.
What Will Change Starting February 1, 2027
Currently, enabling ad monetization requires at least 1,000 subscribers and one of two conditions:
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4,000 watch hours on regular videos over the past 12 months;
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10 million Shorts views over the past 90 days.
Starting in February, the threshold will double:
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8,000 watch hours over the past 365 days;
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20 million Shorts views over the past 90 days.
The number of subscribers will not change — at least 1,000 will still be required.
At the same time, the more accessible level of the YouTube Partner Program remains unchanged. For Super Chat, paid subscriptions and other ways of earning from an audience, 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views over 90 days will still be enough.
A New Threshold Will Also Be Introduced for Existing Shorts Channels
If a channel is already enrolled in the Partner Program, it will not need to reach 8,000 hours or 20 million Shorts views again. However, a separate condition will be introduced for earning from short videos — at least 10 million Shorts views over a rolling 90-day period.
This means the threshold will be recalculated continuously. If views over the past 90 days fall below 10 million, the channel will remain in the Partner Program but will stop receiving payouts from the Shorts Creator Pool. As soon as the required volume returns, earnings from Shorts will resume.
For Shorts channel networks, this is already a significant change. It will no longer be enough to grow a channel once and enable monetization — reach will need to be maintained for continuous payouts.
Old Channels Need to Accept the New Terms
Another point for those who already have monetization enabled: the updated Partner Program terms must be accepted in YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027.
If this is not done, payouts will be suspended after the new rules take effect.
Another Way to Earn Will Be Added to Shorts
YouTube is preparing a new advertising format for Shorts. An advertiser will be able to select up to five specific channels and run ads specifically on them.
If a channel is included in such a campaign, its creator will receive 45% of the revenue from the ads shown. Moreover, this will be an additional payout — regular earnings through the Shorts Creator Pool will remain.
This means large Shorts channels will gain another source of income: in addition to general advertising in the feed, they will be able to receive money from advertisers who specifically selected their channels for placement.
