Starting next year, YouTube will be making some changes to how creators earn money on the platform.
About the YouTube Partner Program Updates:
This morning, YouTube revealed some key updates to its revenue-sharing YouTube Partner Program. First, the platform is set to double the watch time/views component that determines channel eligibility. Previously, creators needed to amass 4,000 hours of qualified public watch time on their long-form videos within the past 12 months or 10 million views on Shorts in the past 90 days before they’re invited to join the program. Those figures are now set to increase to 8,000 hours of qualified public watch time within the past 12 months for long-form content or 20 million views within the past 90 days for Shorts. Meanwhile, the 1,000 subscribers requirement (which applies to both long-form and Shorts creators) remains the same.
In another update for Shorts creators, only creators who maintain 10 million qualified Shorts views for the previous 90 days will be eligible for revenue sharing on Shorts. Those who don’t meet this threshold will still be a part of the Partner Program and will be able to earn from long-form. Additionally, once they return above that 10 million view threshold, earning on Shorts will resume. At the same time, YouTube plans to roll out new revenue initiatives, such as earnings for hitting certain milestones, YouTube Shopping bonuses, boost opportunities, and more. Details on these offerings are expected at a later date.
Both of these YouTube Partner Program updates will go into effect on February 1st, 2027. Until then, creators can still qualify under the current requirements. Moreover, the changes to the YouTube Partner Program requirements won’t impact creators who are already a part of it.
My Thoughts:
Speaking as a YouTube creator myself, it’s always a bit disheartening when these updates come along and move the goalposts. In fact, I remember something similar happening to me as I was nearing monetization levels myself. That’s why I’m glad that YouTube is at least giving channels a relatively lengthy heads-up so that those who may be nearing the required thresholds can dash across the finish line before the update takes effect.
I will also admit that I’m thankful that these updates aren’t retroactive (at least not for long-form creators) as my channel has slipped from its heyday — meaning that I wouldn’t qualify today if I weren’t already in the program. That said, since there’s no guarantee that such a change could strike in the future, I do feel motivated to get my channel back on the right track.
The bottom line is that, if you’re a YouTube creator hoping to join the Partner Program, it may behoove you to buckle down in the coming months and do what you can to reach the current thresholds. But, if you do fall short, keep your head up and keep going — you’ll get there in time.
