YouTube Monetization Requirements in 2026 (and 2027)
To earn ad revenue on YouTube you need 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. New applicants face double those numbers from February 2027. Here's every requirement, what counts, and how to get there faster.
To join the YouTube Partner Program and earn a share of ad revenue, a channel needs 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. You also need to follow YouTube's monetization policies, live in a country where the program is available, have no active Community Guidelines strikes, turn on 2-Step Verification and link an AdSense account. Those are the YouTube monetization requirements as of November 2026. From February 1, 2027, new applicants need twice the watch hours or twice the Shorts views.
The requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Long-form route | Shorts route |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Activity | 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months | 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days |
| From February 1, 2027 (new applicants) | 8,000 watch hours in 12 months | 20 million Shorts views in 90 days |
| Account | 2-Step Verification, linked AdSense, no active strikes | Same |
Only public long-form videos count toward watch hours. Private, unlisted and deleted videos don't, views from ads don't, and Shorts views don't count toward hours either. They have their own route. You can mix both kinds of content on one channel, but each threshold has to be met on its own.
The lower tier for fan funding
In many countries there's an earlier tier: 500 subscribers, three public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days. It unlocks channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks and YouTube Shopping, but not ad revenue. Availability differs by country, so check the Earn tab in YouTube Studio to see whether your channel can apply at that level.
What else YouTube checks
- You live in a country or region where the Partner Program is available.
- Your channel has no active Community Guidelines strikes.
- 2-Step Verification is turned on for the Google account.
- You have, or can create, one AdSense account to link for payments.
- Your channel follows the monetization policies, including the rules on reused and inauthentic content.
How the review works
Once you meet the thresholds and apply, human reviewers look at your channel as a whole: your main theme, your most viewed videos, your newest uploads and your metadata. YouTube says a decision usually comes within about a month. If you're rejected, you can usually reapply 30 days later, and repeat rejections lengthen the wait. Use that time to remove or improve whatever looks reused or low effort before the next review.
AI and faceless content under the rules
Faceless and AI-assisted channels are monetized every day. What the rules target is content that is mass-produced or repetitive with little variation, which YouTube renamed inauthentic content in July 2025, and reused content taken from others without adding anything. Give each video its own script, structure and point of view, add your own commentary or story, and disclose realistic AI content when YouTube's upload flow asks you to.
How to reach 4,000 hours faster
Watch hours come from views times average view duration. 4,000 hours is 240,000 minutes, so the longer people watch each video, the fewer views you need.
| Average view duration | Views needed in 12 months | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| 3 minutes | 80,000 | About 6,700 |
| 5 minutes | 48,000 | About 4,000 |
| 8 minutes | 30,000 | About 2,500 |
That's why channels aiming for monetization usually post 8 to 15 minute videos on topics people watch to the end: history, explainers, stories, documentaries. Shorts still help, because they bring subscribers who then find your long videos. For every other way a channel earns, see how to make money on YouTube, and for the Shorts side, how to monetize YouTube Shorts.
Frequently asked questions
You need 1,000 subscribers for ad revenue, plus 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. A lower tier at 500 subscribers unlocks fan funding and Shopping in some countries, but not ad revenue.
Ship your first faceless video today.
Pick your niche. Pick your models. We render. From idea to finished short in under 7 minutes — no camera, no editor.
Keep reading
How to Make Money on YouTube in 2026, Every Revenue Stream
Ads are one line on a longer list. Here's the current 2026 YouTube Partner Program requirements, how many subscribers you actually need for each revenue tool, and the six other ways channels earn once ads are switched on.
How to Monetize YouTube Shorts in 2026 With Real RPM Data
Most "YouTube Shorts monetization" guides skip the math entirely. This one has the actual RPM range by niche ($0.02 to $0.45 per 1,000 views) and the exact path faceless operators used to clear their first $1K.
How Much Does YouTube Pay Per View in 2026? Real RPM Data
There's no flat rate. Long-form video typically pays $2 to $12 per 1,000 views after YouTube's cut, Shorts pay a few cents per 1,000 from a shared pool, and finance channels can clear $50. Here's where those numbers actually come from, and what moves yours.