Arche Social Media Team
@arche_socialInsights, workflow updates, and strategies brought to you by the Arche Social team to help you scale your cross-platform presence.
Introduction
YouTube is changing the rules for its Partner Program, and if you are a content creator or thinking about becoming one, there are some important differences you need to know. These changes will not take effect until February 1st, 2027, so you still have some time to understand the new requirements and, for some, take advantage of the current rules. Before we understand these new changes, let's talk about how we got here.
A Brief History Of YouTube and the Partner Program
YouTube was launched in 2005 by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim who were all former employees at PayPal. It quickly became the place where anyone could upload and share a video. What started as a simple video-sharing website eventually became one of the biggest content creation platforms for all walks of life.
2 years after YouTube was launched, the Partner Program was created. It was a simple concept: creators could finally be paid for their efforts in building an audience while creating original content. In May 2007, YouTube started bringing some of its biggest YouTubers into the program. It was later expanded later that year so even more creators could apply.
This was a historic step for YouTube as now finally people could make videos on the internet and potentially turn their accounts into a business.
The Program has changed several times since its inception.
In 2017, a 10,000-lifetime-view threshold was established.
In 2018, YouTube moved to the familiar requirement of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of public watch time over the previous 12 months for ad monetization.
Now, in 2026, YouTube is preparing for another massive change that will effect almost all new creators.
2 years after YouTube was launched, the Partner Program was created. It was a simple concept: creators could finally be paid for their efforts in building an audience while creating original content. In May 2007, YouTube started bringing some of its biggest YouTubers into the program. It was later expanded later that year so even more creators could apply.
This was a historic step for YouTube as now finally people could make videos on the internet and potentially turn their accounts into a business.
The Program has changed several times since its inception.
In 2017, a 10,000-lifetime-view threshold was established.
In 2018, YouTube moved to the familiar requirement of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of public watch time over the previous 12 months for ad monetization.
Now, in 2026, YouTube is preparing for another massive change that will effect almost all new creators.
What is Changing in 2027?
Let's start talking about these new requirements. Starting February 1st, 2027, all new YouTube creators who want to qualify for the Partner Program, qualify for advertising, and YouTube's Premium revenue sharing will need the following:
New Requirements
1,000 subscribers
and
either 8,000 qualified public watch hours in the past 365 days OR 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.
now let's take a look at the old standard:
and
either 8,000 qualified public watch hours in the past 365 days OR 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.
now let's take a look at the old standard:
Old Requirements
1,000 subscribers
and
either 4,000 qualified public watch hours in the past 365 days OR 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.
As you can see, the requirements will be doubling for watch hours or Shorts views.
The 1,000 subscriber count still remains the same. Its important to remember that YouTube said that this only applies for new creators who are applying for the Partner Program. New entry thresholds will NOT affect content creators who are already in the program.
and
either 4,000 qualified public watch hours in the past 365 days OR 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.
As you can see, the requirements will be doubling for watch hours or Shorts views.
The 1,000 subscriber count still remains the same. Its important to remember that YouTube said that this only applies for new creators who are applying for the Partner Program. New entry thresholds will NOT affect content creators who are already in the program.
What About Shorts?
YouTube Shorts is slightly different.
As we stated above, to join the YouTube Partner Program, you need 20 million qualified views over a 90-day period. However, to receive Shorts advertising and subscription revenue sharing, you need to maintain a 10 million qualified Shorts views of a 90-day period.
As you can see it is slightly different. If you are in the Program and you fall under the 10 million qualified Shorts views during a 90-day period, you aren't immediately kicked out of the Partner Program, however your revenue sharing will pause until you hit that threshold again.
YouTubers are not being removed from the Partner Program just because they aren't hitting thresholds, however their revenue sharing is paused.
As we stated above, to join the YouTube Partner Program, you need 20 million qualified views over a 90-day period. However, to receive Shorts advertising and subscription revenue sharing, you need to maintain a 10 million qualified Shorts views of a 90-day period.
As you can see it is slightly different. If you are in the Program and you fall under the 10 million qualified Shorts views during a 90-day period, you aren't immediately kicked out of the Partner Program, however your revenue sharing will pause until you hit that threshold again.
YouTubers are not being removed from the Partner Program just because they aren't hitting thresholds, however their revenue sharing is paused.
Why is YouTube Making These Changes?
YouTube says that these new changes will align with the way people watch YouTube today.
Taken together, these updates allow us to invest in new incentive programs that directly support creator growth and the many business models that work across YouTube.
The platform has changed dramatically since it launched back in 2005. YouTube now has podcasts, live streaming, a comment system, Communities, shopping, Shorts, and more. It has a ton of different ways for creators and businesses to earn revenue.
YouTube has stated that it has over 200 billion Shorts views every single day, while users are watching more than 1 billion hours of YouTube on their screens every day.
YouTube has stated that it has over 200 billion Shorts views every single day, while users are watching more than 1 billion hours of YouTube on their screens every day.
What Does This Mean for Creators?
For old content creators who are already in the YouTube Partner Program, this will not apply to you. For creators who are not yet in the program, the change is more significant. If you are currently working toward the 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you have until the new rules take effect to qualify under the existing requirements.
Don't panic though as building an audience is still the most important part of becoming a successful creator.
Don't panic though as building an audience is still the most important part of becoming a successful creator.
There is Still Time
These new rules will not start until February1st, 2027.
If you are working towards the Partner Program, now is a good time to take a look at your YouTube Analytics. Are you close to those 1,000 subscribers? Are you aiming for the watch time or the Shorts views?
YouTubers will have to review the updated terms in the YouTube Studio and accept by January 31st, 2027 to continue fully monetizing their content.
YouTubers will have to review the updated terms in the YouTube Studio and accept by January 31st, 2027 to continue fully monetizing their content.
The Bottom Line
The YouTube Partner Program has changed in the past, and it will change again in the future. For creators, its important to understand the rules, requirements, and adapt when necessary to keep your monetization.
If you are building that audience, you still have time to get accepted to the current YouTube Partner Program requirements. Just keep an eye out for any updates as February comes around.
If you are building that audience, you still have time to get accepted to the current YouTube Partner Program requirements. Just keep an eye out for any updates as February comes around.
Arche Social Blog
Never miss a post.
Get new updates instantly.
Subscribe to get the latest articles, guides, and product updates from Arche Social sent straight to your inbox.
// Zero spam
// Unsubscribe anytime