Key takeaways
1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 hours or 10 million Shorts views. How watch hours are counted and what changes in February 2027.
As of October 2026, the YouTube monetization requirements are 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 12 months, or 1,000 subscribers plus 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. The YouTube Help Center states that Partner Program changes start on February 1, 2027. The information below is based on the YouTube Help Center's Partner Program pages as of October 19, 2026.
What are the YouTube monetization requirements in 2026?
To join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and earn ad revenue, you need to meet one of the two paths below.
| Path | Subscribers | Watch requirement | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-form videos | 1,000 | 4,000 public watch hours | Last 12 months |
| Shorts | 1,000 | 10 million valid public Shorts views | Last 90 days |
- Path
- Long-form videos
- Subscribers
- 1,000
- Watch requirement
- 4,000 public watch hours
- Period
- Last 12 months
- Path
- Shorts
- Subscribers
- 1,000
- Watch requirement
- 10 million valid public Shorts views
- Period
- Last 90 days
On both paths, you must follow the YouTube channel monetization policies, live in a region where the Partner Program is available, have no active Community Guidelines strikes, turn on 2-Step Verification and link an AdSense account. Once you meet the requirements and apply, YouTube reviews your channel.
Some regions also have an earlier entry tier with 500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. At this tier you can start with fan funding features such as channel memberships and Super Chat.
How are the 4,000 watch hours counted?
- Watch hours on public long-form videos count
- Time watched in the Shorts feed does not count toward the 4,000 hours; it is counted separately as views on the Shorts path
- Watch hours on private, unlisted and deleted videos are removed
- The count is rolling over the last 12 months and recalculated daily, so watch hours older than 12 months drop off in turn
- Views YouTube considers invalid are removed from the count
You can track your progress in the Earn menu of YouTube Studio. The numbers change daily, so check again right before you apply for the most accurate figure.
What changes from February 1, 2027?
The YouTube Help Center states that Partner Program updates start on February 1, 2027, and that channels already in the program must accept the updated terms by January 31, 2027.
According to reports, channels that apply after February 1, 2027 will need 8,000 watch hours on the long-form path and 20 million views on the Shorts path. The detailed thresholds may change before they take effect, so please check YouTube Studio and the Help Center when you apply.
| Item | October 2026 (YouTube official) | New applications after February 1, 2027 (reported) |
|---|---|---|
| Long-form watch hours | 4,000 hours (last 12 months) | 8,000 hours |
| Shorts views | 10 million (last 90 days) | 20 million |
- Item
- Long-form watch hours
- October 2026 (YouTube official)
- 4,000 hours (last 12 months)
- New applications after February 1, 2027 (reported)
- 8,000 hours
- Item
- Shorts views
- October 2026 (YouTube official)
- 10 million (last 90 days)
- New applications after February 1, 2027 (reported)
- 20 million
If I apply now, does the 4,000 hour threshold apply?
According to reports, the new thresholds apply to channels that apply after February 1, 2027. For which threshold applies to channels that met the requirements before then, the Earn menu in YouTube Studio and Help Center announcements are the most accurate source.
How do Shorts views count toward monetization requirements?
Shorts are counted by views, not watch hours. Reach 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days, and you can apply through the Shorts path. Shorts views and long-form watch hours do not add together, so pick the one path that fits your channel and fill it.
Will ordering watch hours get me monetization approval?
YouTube decides monetization approval after reviewing the whole channel. YouTube counts only valid public watch hours and also checks whether the channel follows the monetization policies and Community Guidelines (including the fake engagement policy). Orders are a service that grows a video's numbers and do not replace approval. 1PANEL PLUS takes only a link when you order, never a password or channel access.
Prices and conditions for watch hour services are on the Buy YouTube Watch Hours page.
Check before you apply
- Subscriber and watch hour progress in the Earn menu of YouTube Studio
- Whether the videos that count are public
- Whether you have no Community Guidelines strikes
- 2-Step Verification and AdSense linked
Sources: YouTube Help Center "YouTube Partner Program overview & eligibility" and the Partner Program update notice (checked October 19, 2026); 2027 thresholds from news reports. When YouTube changes its thresholds, we update this guide too.