YouTube Doubles Partner Program Requirements for New Creators

YouTube is significantly raising the bar for new creators to earn money on its platform, announcing on August 10, 2026, that it will double the key requirements for entry into its Partner Program. The changes, which mark the first major overhaul of the program since 2018, will take effect on February 1, 2027, and are designed to reflect the platform's massive growth.

Under the new rules, creators seeking to join the YouTube Partner Program will need at least 1,000 subscribers and either 8,000 qualified public watch hours over the past year or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. This is a substantial increase from the current thresholds of 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views. The subscriber requirement remains unchanged.

The update will not affect creators already in the program, who will be grandfathered under the existing entry rules. However, current partners must review and accept the updated agreement terms in YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027, to continue earning revenue.

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