YouTube Monetization Requirements Are Changing in 2027: What New Creators Need to Know
If you’re a new YouTuber (or small YouTuber) working toward monetization, there’s an important YouTube update you need to know about.
YouTube has announced changes to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) that will affect new creators applying for ad and YouTube Premium revenue sharing beginning February 1, 2027.
And the biggest change is the number everyone is talking about:
8,000 watch hours.
The Shorts requirement is changing too, with a new threshold of 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days for new creators applying for ads and YouTube Premium revenue sharing.
I made a quick video breaking down the changes, but here’s the information in writing as well.
What Are the New YouTube Monetization Requirements for 2027?
Under YouTube’s current requirements, creators can qualify for ad revenue sharing with:
- 1,000 subscribers
- 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months
OR
- 1,000 subscribers
- 10 million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days
YouTube has announced that the thresholds for new creators applying for ads and YouTube Premium revenue sharing will increase beginning February 1, 2027.
The new thresholds announced by YouTube are:
Long-form video
1,000 subscribers + 8,000 qualified watch hours in the last 365 days
Shorts
1,000 subscribers + 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days
You only need to meet one of these viewing thresholds—not both.
8,000 Watch Hours Is a Big Change
The jump from 4,000 to 8,000 watch hours is probably the part that caught the attention of most new creators.
That’s double the current watch-hour threshold for ad revenue sharing.
For creators focusing primarily on long-form videos, that means building a consistent library of content and getting viewers to actually watch that content will become even more important.
This is also a good reminder that getting subscribers isn’t the only part of growing a YouTube channel.
You need people to click, watch, and keep watching.
What About YouTube Shorts?
The Shorts threshold is also increasing.
The current requirement for ad revenue sharing is:
10 million valid public Shorts views in 90 days.
The new threshold announced for new creators will be:
20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days.
That’s another doubling of the viewing threshold.
If you’re building a channel primarily with Shorts, this is definitely something to keep in mind as you plan your content strategy for 2027.
Does This Mean YouTube Is Making It Harder to Monetize?
For new creators trying to reach ad and YouTube Premium revenue sharing, the answer is essentially YES! the entry thresholds are increasing.
But there’s an important distinction.
YouTube says these changes won’t impact creators who are already in the YouTube Partner Program.
YouTube also says the thresholds for its Fan Funding and Shopping products remain unchanged.
So this announcement isn’t simply “YouTube is taking monetization away.”
YouTube says it plans to introduce additional incentive programs and other ways for creators to earn, including opportunities connected to YouTube Shopping, brand deals, and trends. More details are expected from YouTube.
What Does This Mean If You’re Starting a YouTube Channel or Currently Trying to Grow a Small YouTube Channel?
If you’re a new or small creator, I wouldn’t look at these numbers and decide that there’s no point in trying.
Instead, I would use them as a reason to start thinking about your channel strategy.
Don’t just focus on:
“How do I get 1,000 subscribers?”
Also think about:
- What type of content will make people click?
- How can I keep viewers watching?
- Should I focus on long-form videos, Shorts, or both?
- What topics can I consistently create content about?
- How can I turn one video into multiple pieces of content?
- How can I build an audience instead of simply chasing views?
Monetization is a goal, but building an audience is the bigger goal.
Should New and Small Creators Focus on Long-Form Videos or Shorts?
There’s no universal answer.
Both formats can be useful, but they work differently.
Long-form videos can help you build watch time, establish authority around a topic, and create deeper relationships with viewers.
Shorts can help you reach new viewers quickly and potentially expose your channel to a much larger audience.
For many creators, using both may make the most sense.
For example, you could create one longer YouTube video and then turn portions of that video into several Shorts. Then link the longer video as a Related Video to the Short.
That allows you to create more content without having to come up with completely different ideas for every upload.
When Do These Changes Take Effect?
According to YouTube, the new terms will take effect on:
February 1, 2027.
The changes apply to new and small creators applying for YouTube Partner Program access to ads and YouTube Premium revenue sharing. YouTube specifically says creators who are already in YPP will not be affected by this entry-threshold change.
Because YouTube’s policies and requirements can change, always check YouTube’s official documentation before making decisions based on monetization thresholds.
My Take as a Creator
As someone who is also working on growing a couple YouTube channels, this announcement definitely caught my attention.
8,000 watch hours is a big number.
And 20 million Shorts views? That’s a LOT of views.
But I think the bigger takeaway for new and small creators is that you shouldn’t build your entire channel around the idea of getting monetized as quickly as possible.
Build the channel first.
Learn how to make better thumbnails.
Learn how to create titles people want to click.
Learn how to keep viewers watching.
Figure out what your audience actually wants from you.
And most importantly, keep creating.
The creators who start learning these skills now will be in a much better position when the new requirements take effect.
Want to Learn More About YouTube?
If you’re a new or growing creator, follow along because I will share more YouTube updates as they become available.
Watch the video above for my quick breakdown of the 2027 YouTube monetization changes.
And if you’re currently trying to grow your channel, I’d love to know:
Are you working toward monetization right now? And are you focusing more on long-form videos or Shorts?
Leave a comment and let me know!
Official Sources
YouTube’s official announcement about the 2027 YouTube Partner Program changes can be found here:
YouTube: New opportunities to earn and changes to the YouTube Partner Program
You can also check YouTube’s current Partner Program eligibility information here: