YouTube doubles monetisation thresholds for Partner Program in 2027 policy shift
New eligibility rules take effect in February, requiring 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views, while existing members must accept updated terms by January 31, 2027.
YouTube is significantly tightening the eligibility criteria for its YouTube Partner Program (YPP), marking a strategic move to elevate the platform’s status alongside premium streaming services. Starting 1 February 2027, creators will face doubled thresholds to monetise their content, reflecting a broader effort to compete with established players such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney Plus.
Under the updated requirements, channels must maintain at least 1,000 subscribers and achieve either 8,000 qualified watch hours over the past 12 months or 20 million qualified Shorts views within the last 90 days. These figures represent a substantial increase from previous standards, which required 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views for the same subscriber base.
The policy change coincides with the expansion of YouTube’s Premium Lite subscription tier to all regions where Premium is available. YouTube states that subscription revenue is split based on engagement, with 55 percent allocated to long-form video creators and 45 percent to Shorts creators. The company argues that the influx of paying subscribers will drive higher earnings for partners compared to ad-supported models.
To retain their status within the Partner Program, existing members are required to accept the new terms by 31 January 2027. Failure to comply by this deadline will result in the loss of monetisation privileges. The platform is also introducing stricter maintenance rules, requiring creators to upload two long-form videos or five Shorts every 90 days, or alternatively, maintain 1,000 watch hours or 1 million Shorts views annually.
This restructuring aligns with YouTube’s recent initiatives to position itself as a premium television service. The platform has recently secured broadcasting deals with high-profile figures such as Trevor Noah and rolled out features allowing creators to organise content into seasons. Additionally, creators must continue to publish content to the Posts tab or upload videos regularly, as inactivity exceeding six months remains grounds for removal from the program.
