YouTube will raise monetization thresholds for new creators starting February 1, requiring either 8,000 qualified watch hours in the past 12 months or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days to start earning from ads and subscriptions.

Existing partners retain their status; the higher thresholds do not automatically remove current members from the Partner Program.

The policy shift is framed as a risk to smaller channels and could push creators toward Shorts to meet the goals, raising questions about fairness and sustainability.

Long-form content and Shorts will have separate thresholds, reflecting the uneven difficulty between formats.

YouTube notes ongoing monetization rule adjustments, including a past update that loosened ad guidelines for controversial topics, with full advertising allowed at times.

YouTube says the changes reward creators who drive sustained engagement, while there is speculation the move may curb AI-generated channels and content.

The changes come as part of broader shifts in creator payouts across platforms, with similar revisions seen on X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Short-form content remains central to YouTube’s strategy as Shorts competes with TikTok and broader attention dynamics.

YouTube emphasizes the goal is to reward sustained views and engagement to build a sustainable creator economy, not rely on viral spikes.

For creators approaching thresholds, apply before February 1, 2027 to join under current rules; those below thresholds may access a lower tier and potential upcoming programs yet to be detailed.

A lower threshold path remains for Shorts-focused entrants, with 1,000 subscribers and related criteria continuing to apply.

Channel inactivity risk remains, as creators who haven’t uploaded in six months can be removed from the program.