YouTube will raise the criteria for creator monetisation from Feb. 1, 2027. The Verge reported on Aug. 10 that creators seeking to newly enter the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) must have 1,000 subscribers and 8,000 valid watch hours over the past year, or 20 million valid Shorts views in the past 90 days.

The current standard is 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours over the past year, or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days. Under the new rules, the threshold to enter monetisation will rise for both long-form videos and Shorts.

To receive revenue from the Shorts creator pool, creators must continue to maintain 10 million Shorts views over the past 90 days. Dropping below that threshold does not mean removal from the YPP.

New conditions to keep earning revenue will also apply to existing participants. To continue receiving advertising and subscription revenue, creators must meet one of the following: 1,000 watch hours over the past year, 1 million Shorts views over the past 90 days, or uploading 2 long-form videos or 5 Shorts every 90 days. Creators already in the YPP must agree to the new terms by Jan. 31, 2027, to continue monetisation.

YouTube will also expand its low-priced subscription plan, Premium Lite, to all countries where Premium is offered.

YouTube has recently stepped up efforts to move closer to premium TV services such as Netflix, HBO Max and Disney Plus. This year it signed a broadcast contract for programmes featuring well-known figures such as Trevor Noah, and expanded a feature that lets creators bundle videos by season.