Want to Earn on YouTube? Creators Now Need Twice the Watch Hours
Antara
YouTube Raises Monetisation Bar: YouTube is doubling the watch-hour requirement for new creators seeking access to its main advertising revenue-sharing programme.
8,000 Watch Hours Needed: From February 1, 2027, creators will need 8,000 valid public watch hours within 12 months, up from 4,000 hours.
1,000 Subscribers Still Required: The subscriber requirement remains unchanged, meaning creators must still reach 1,000 subscribers alongside the new watch-hour target.
Shorts Requirement Also Doubles : Creators choosing the Shorts route will need 20 million valid Shorts views in 90 days, compared with 10 million currently.
Shorts Watch Time Does Not Count: Watch hours generated from videos watched through the Shorts Feed do not count toward the long-form 8,000-hour requirement.
Existing Creators Get Relief : Creators already inside the YouTube Partner Programme will not be removed simply because they fail to meet these new entry thresholds.
YouTube Wants Consistent Engagement: The changes are designed to place greater emphasis on sustained audience engagement instead of relying on occasional viral videos.
New Activity Rules Also Apply: Creators will need regular activity, including watch hours, Shorts views, or recent uploads, to continue earning through the programme.
Monetisation Gets Tougher: For aspiring creators, the new rules mean building an audience and keeping viewers engaged will matter more than ever before.