You can apply to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) at one of two eligibility levels. The expanded entry level can unlock fan-funding and Shopping features in supported regions; sharing revenue from ads and YouTube Premium requires the higher threshold. Meeting either threshold lets you apply—it does not guarantee approval.
Which YPP threshold do you need?
YouTube’s eligibility criteria, checked October 3, 2026, offer an expanded entry level and a higher level for ad and Premium revenue sharing. The expanded program is available only in supported countries and regions; check YouTube’s expanded YPP overview and the Earn area in YouTube Studio for current availability.
| Eligibility level | Subscribers | Additional qualifying activity | What it can unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded YPP | 500 | Three valid public uploads in the last 90 days, plus either 3,000 qualified public watch hours in the last 12 months or 3 million qualified public Shorts views in the last 90 days | Fan-funding and Shopping features, subject to each feature’s additional rules |
| Ad and Premium revenue sharing | 1,000 | Either 4,000 qualified public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million qualified public Shorts views in the last 90 days | Watch Page ads, Shorts Feed ads, and YouTube Premium revenue, subject to applicable terms |
The 500-subscriber level is not the ad-revenue threshold. Shorts Feed viewing time does not count toward the 4,000-hour route. See YouTube’s YPP overview and eligibility and monetization options for the applicable criteria.
What counts as qualified watch hours or Shorts views?
Watch-hour route
The qualifying total comes from public long-form videos. Private, unlisted, and deleted videos do not count. Nor do watch hours from ad campaigns or Shorts. Livestream watch hours are excluded if the stream is unlisted, deleted, or not converted to video on demand.
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Shorts-view route
YouTube counts qualifying views of public Shorts shown in the Shorts Feed. Views from private, unlisted, or deleted Shorts and ad campaigns are excluded.
Do not assume the total watch time or views shown in channel analytics equal your YPP-qualified totals. Paid promotion views do not count toward eligibility thresholds, apart from qualifying organic follow-on views described by YouTube. YouTube explains these exclusions in its eligibility guidance.
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How to apply and what YouTube reviews
Before applying
Your channel must be based in a country or region where YPP is available, follow YouTube’s channel monetization policies, and have no active Community Guidelines strikes. You also need 2-Step Verification turned on, access to advanced features, and one active AdSense for YouTube account—or you can set one up through YouTube Studio.
Submit the application
- Open YouTube Studio and select Earn.
- When the channel is eligible, follow the on-screen application steps and accept the applicable base terms.
- Link an active AdSense for YouTube account or set one up through YouTube Studio, then submit the application.
YouTube reviews the channel as a whole using automated systems and human reviewers. Reaching the numbers is permission to apply, not automatic acceptance. YouTube continues checking channels after they join; policy violations can cost a channel its monetization even if it still meets the numerical thresholds. YouTube may also turn monetization off if a channel has not uploaded a video or posted to the Posts tab for six months or more. The channel monetization policies describe the standards reviewers assess.
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How creators can earn through YPP
YPP access can open several earning features, but individual features have their own availability, eligibility rules, and terms. YouTube lists these options in How to earn money on YouTube and Choose how you want to monetize.
| Revenue route | How it works | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Watch Page ads | Ads associated with eligible long-form videos and live streams | Requires the higher ad-revenue eligibility level and the relevant terms. |
| Shorts Feed ads | Revenue sharing from ads shown between eligible Shorts in the Shorts Feed | Requires the higher eligibility level; reused, non-original, artificial, or advertiser-ineligible Shorts views may be excluded. |
| YouTube Premium | Revenue when Premium subscribers watch your content | Requires the higher eligibility level and applicable terms; payment is not guaranteed. |
| Channel memberships | Recurring fan payments in exchange for creator-provided perks | Feature-specific age, location, channel, and terms apply. |
| Super Chat and Super Stickers | Fan payments during eligible live chats | Feature-specific availability and restrictions apply. |
| Super Thanks | One-off fan payments on eligible videos and Shorts | Feature-specific availability and restrictions apply. |
| Shopping | Merchandise sales, and for eligible creators, products from other brands | Access and terms vary. Eligible creators may earn commission through YouTube’s Shopping affiliate program; confirm availability and current terms in Studio. |
Fan-funding features generally require you to be at least 18, live where the feature is available, be in YPP, and accept the Commerce Product Module. Specific features may have additional limits, including channel type or content eligibility. YouTube’s partner earnings overview says the partner agreement does not guarantee how much—or whether—you will be paid.
For the named revenue shares, YouTube describes 70% of net revenue for memberships and Supers, and 45% of the revenue allocated to a creator through the Shorts Creator Pool mechanism. These are terms for those features, not a forecast of what an individual creator will earn.
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Policies that can affect monetization
Eligibility is not only a numbers test. YouTube assesses the channel under its monetization policies, Community Guidelines, copyright rules, advertiser-friendly content guidelines for ads, and any applicable module or commerce terms. Reused or non-original material can create policy problems even when a channel has enough views or subscribers; artificial and advertiser-ineligible Shorts views are not eligible for Shorts revenue sharing. Read the channel monetization policies and Shorts monetization policies before building a channel around material you do not own or control.
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Scheduled YPP terms update
YouTube says updated YPP terms are scheduled to begin February 1, 2027, and asks creators to review and accept them in YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027, to continue fully monetizing. Because these are future-dated terms, check the current Earn page and YouTube’s YPP overview as the date approaches. The Shorts monetization policy also describes a scheduled change from February 1, 2027, to the Shorts revenue-sharing eligibility calculation; verify its current wording before relying on it.
Keep a YouTube livestream running without leaving your PC on
A livestream can contribute qualifying watch hours only if it meets YouTube’s conditions, including being public and converted to video on demand. If you run recurring long-form streams, you can host the stream yourself or use a cloud service. For a self-managed stream, your streaming software and internet connection must stay active while it runs; follow YouTube’s current live-stream setup and monetization rules.
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo keeps a YouTube channel live 24/7 from videos you upload: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home. It streams your upload at its original quality, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; if YouTube drops the stream, StreamNeo automatically recovers it. The first day is free with no card. Monthly is $9.99 per month. It plays uploaded videos rather than broadcasting a live camera feed, and streams to YouTube only. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does hitting the subscriber and watch-time target guarantee YPP approval?
No. It makes your channel eligible to apply; YouTube reviews the channel and its policy compliance before deciding.
Do Shorts watch hours count toward 4,000 public watch hours?
No. Shorts Feed viewing time does not count toward the 4,000-hour long-form watch-hour route.
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