YouTube tightens monetization requirements for content creators
New rules double the watch time needed to earn from ads and subscriptions starting February 2027.
1New monetization thresholds
Starting February 1, 2027, YouTube will require creators to have 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 watch hours in the past year or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days to join the Partner Program. This doubles the current requirements of 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views. Earning from the Shorts Creator Pool now requires maintaining 10 million views every 90 days.
2Premium Lite expansion
YouTube is rolling out its budget-friendly Premium Lite subscription to all countries where Premium is available. Subscription revenue will be split 55% for long-form videos and 45% for Shorts. The platform notes that Premium subscribers generate more revenue for creators compared to ad-viewing users.
3Competing with premium TV
This move is part of YouTube's strategy to compete with services like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney Plus. The platform recently signed deals with celebrities like Trevor Noah and introduced features allowing creators to organize content into seasons, mirroring traditional TV formats.
4New requirements to stay in program
Existing partners must maintain either 1,000 annual watch hours, 1 million Shorts views, or upload two long videos/five Shorts every 90 days to continue earning. Creators must accept the new terms by January 31, 2027. YouTube maintains its policy of removing inactive creators who haven't uploaded in six months.
5Platform's quality-focused shift
These changes reflect YouTube's strategy to prioritize professional creators. While creating barriers for amateur producers, the new thresholds aim to incentivize higher quality content. The platform continues removing channels inactive for six months from the Partner Program.
6Impact on small creators
The updated rules particularly challenge new and small-scale creators. Achieving 8,000 watch hours requires consistent weekly viewership of about 15 hours. For Shorts creators, 20 million views means 222,000 daily views - a difficult target without algorithmic promotion.
7Changes to revenue sharing
YouTube's watch-time-based revenue distribution favors long-form content creators. The 45% Shorts allocation appears designed to compete with platforms like TikTok. The expansion of Premium Lite is expected to increase subscription revenue's share in creators' overall earnings.
8Potential industry effects
These changes could significantly reshape YouTube's content ecosystem. While many small creators may lose monetization opportunities, established channels could see increased earnings. The platform seems to be moving toward working with fewer but higher-quality content producers long-term.
Original article: The Verge — YouTube, içerik üreticiler için para kazanma şartlarını zorlaştırıyor