The new YouTube monetization requirements take effect on Bahman 12, 1405 (February 1, 2027) and make it roughly twice as hard for new channels to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP): instead of 4,000 watch hours, 8,000 hours are required, and instead of 10 million Shorts views, 20 million. In this article we explain exactly what has changed, who is affected, and what to do before February 1 if you plan to monetize.

What exactly are the new YouTube monetization requirements?

In August 2026 YouTube announced that it is raising the entry bar to the Partner Program for the first time since 2018. Before and after February 1:

The important point is that one of the two routes is enough: either 8,000 long-form watch hours, or 20 million Shorts views. The 1,000-subscriber requirement applies in both cases.

What changes for channels that are already monetized?

According to YouTube’s help page as quoted in reports, channels that are already in YPP are not affected by the higher entry threshold. Two other changes matter to them:

• Shorts earnings: From February 1, to receive a share of ad revenue and subscriptions in the Shorts feed, you need at least 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days. This is checked monthly. A channel that falls below the number stays in the program and its long-form earnings continue, but Shorts earnings pause until it reaches 10 million again.
• Staying active: According to reports, from February 2027 a channel counts as ‘active’ if it meets one of three conditions: 1,000 watch hours in 365 days, 1 million Shorts views in 90 days, or at least two long videos or five Shorts published every 90 days.

Some reports also say that current members must accept the new program terms by Bahman 11, 1405 (January 31, 2027). This is not consistent across sources, so follow the notices in YouTube Studio closely.

Why did YouTube make the requirements harder?

Officially, YouTube says its goal is higher quality and fairer payments to channels with a real audience, and that it expects to pay creators more in 2027 than in 2026. At the same time, a Premium Lite subscription is rolling out to every country that has Premium. The change fits the same direction as the ‘inauthentic content’ policy that has targeted mass-produced and reposted videos since summer 2025; we covered its latest stage in our article on the new YouTube Shorts update and content originality.

If you have a new channel, what should you do before February 1?

If you reach the current threshold and apply before February 1, reports say the old requirements still apply to you. Review also usually takes around a month, so do not wait for the last days. To see how far you are, the table below shows the watch time you need each day. It is calculated on the 117 days remaining from October 6 to January 31, with a goal of 4,000 hours:

If your channel still has not reached 1,000 subscribers after 365 days, that number is usually the main bottleneck and you should work on it at the same time. These actions have the biggest effect:

• Check the real numbers first: In YouTube Studio, under Analytics and Earn, note your public watch hours for the past 12 months and your subscriber count.
• Focus on retention: One 20-minute video that holds viewers to the end builds more watch time than ten short videos nobody finishes.
• Build a series: When a viewer watches one episode, they watch the next, and the viewing session gets longer.
• Think about search: Videos found through real search phrases bring watch time for months and do not depend on daily posting.
• Do not chase fake watch time: Artificial views and hours put your channel at risk of being penalized. We explain the legitimate routes in filling YouTube watch time: a complete guide to reaching 4,000 hours.

If you are working on Shorts

The Shorts route now needs 20 million views in 90 days to enter, and 10 million to keep earning. Shorts has become more of a ‘big numbers game’ than before, and views that come from reposting other people’s clips are riskier than ever, because YouTube is also moving toward original content. If you want both routes, treat Shorts as your channel’s shop window and long videos as your source of watch time and stable income. For the potential earnings of each route, see how much does YouTube pay? Income per 1,000 views and high-paying YouTube niches with the highest RPM.

Frequently asked questions

When do the new YouTube monetization requirements take effect?

From Bahman 12, 1405, which is February 1, 2027. Until January 31 the current requirements (4,000 hours or 10 million Shorts views) apply.

Do channels that are already monetized also need 8,000 hours?

No. According to YouTube’s guidance, the 8,000-hour or 20-million-view threshold applies only to new applicants. However, Shorts earnings for current channels depend on 10 million Shorts views in 90 days.

Has the subscriber requirement changed?

No, 1,000 subscribers are still required.

If I fall under 10 million Shorts views, am I removed from the program?

No. According to reports, you stay in the program and your long-form earnings continue; only Shorts earnings pause until you reach 10 million again.

Should I apply right now?

If you have reached the current threshold, yes; the sooner the better, because review takes about a month. If you have not, use the table above to work out whether you can make it by January 31, or whether you should plan for the 8,000-hour target.

Conclusion

YouTube monetization gets harder for newcomers from February 1, but people who are close to the current threshold still have a chance. First measure your real watch time and subscribers, then decide whether to push before January 31 or plan for 8,000 hours. If you have questions about your channel’s situation, leave your number in the form at the bottom of the page for a free YouTube consultation.

Related articles

• Filling YouTube watch time: a complete guide to reaching 4,000 hours
• How much does YouTube pay? Income per 1,000 views
• New YouTube Shorts update 2026: what is content originality?
• New YouTube features 2026 and the AI tools announced at Made on YouTube
• 10 high-paying YouTube niches with the highest RPM

Sources

• YouTube Partner Program Requirements 2026 (air.io)
• YouTube Partner Program changes 2027 (Umbrella Creators)
• YouTube updates channel monetisation rules (Business Standard)
• YouTube Makes Monetization Harder (CineD)
• YouTube Partner Program Doubles Entry Bar (Tech Times)