YouTube Raises Partner Program Requirements and Updates Revenue Sharing

YouTube has increased the requirements for joining its Partner Program (YPP), which now includes over 3 million creators. The new rules mean aspiring members must meet higher thresholds to qualify for monetization and revenue sharing.

Key Highlights

• YouTube doubles Partner Program thresholds for new applicants in 2027.
• Long-form video requirement rises to 8,000 watch hours from 4,000.
• Shorts creators now need 20 million views in 20 days to qualify.
• Revenue sharing for Shorts requires 10 million views over 90 days.
• Premium revenue pool splits 55 percent to long-form and 45 percent to Shorts.

New Eligibility Requirements

Previously, creators needed 4,000 watch hours on long-form videos to join YPP. Now, applicants must reach 8,000 watch hours. For those focusing on YouTube Shorts, the requirement has doubled from 10 million to 20 million views within 20 days.

To participate in ad revenue sharing through Shorts, channels must achieve at least 10 million views from Shorts over a 90-day period. If a channel falls below this threshold, revenue sharing will pause temporarily. However, the channel may still earn from long-form videos during this period. Revenue sharing resumes automatically once the channel surpasses 10 million views over 90 days again.

YouTube will provide incentives to channels that drop below the 10 million view mark. These incentives include bonuses for securing brand deals and tagging more items for shopping. The aim is to help creators regain eligibility for revenue sharing.

Changes to Premium Revenue Distribution

YouTube Premium and Premium Lite subscriptions contribute to a shared revenue pool. Thirty percent of Premium revenue and sixty percent of Premium Lite revenue go into this pool. The remaining funds support YouTube's operational costs and payments to music partners.

The revenue pool is distributed to creators based on Premium member watch time and views. Long-form videos receive 55 percent of the split, while short videos receive 45 percent. YouTube states that creators generally earn more from Premium subscriber views than from ad-supported views.

YouTube expects to pay out more to creators next year compared to this year, despite the increased requirements. The company encourages creators to review the new terms, which will take effect on February 1 of the following year. All current YPP members will retain their status under the new rules.