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Monetization7 min readUpdated August 2026

YouTube monetization requirements

There are now two thresholds: an early-access tier that unlocks fan funding, and the full Partner Programme that unlocks ad revenue. Here is exactly what each one needs.

The thresholds

TierSubscribersWatch time OR Shorts viewsUnlocks
Early access5003,000 valid public watch hours in 12 months, or 3M Shorts views in 90 daysMemberships, Super Thanks, Super Chat, shopping
Full YPP1,0004,000 valid public watch hours in 12 months, or 10M Shorts views in 90 daysAd revenue, Premium revenue, everything above

The other conditions

  1. 1Live in a country or region where the Partner Programme is available.
  2. 2No active Community Guidelines strikes on the channel.
  3. 3Two-step verification enabled on the Google Account.
  4. 4An active AdSense account linked to the channel.
  5. 5Follow YouTube's monetisation policies, including the advertiser-friendly content guidelines.

What counts and what does not

Counts toward watch hoursDoes not count
Public long-form videosPrivate or unlisted videos
Completed live stream recordings, if publicDeleted videos
Watch time from any traffic sourceShorts views (separate threshold)
Paid promotion watch time
Ads-driven views you purchased

Common reasons applications are rejected

  • Reused content — compilations, reaction videos with little added commentary, or third-party footage with minimal transformation
  • Repetitive automated content with no original voice or narrative
  • Channels that mostly re-upload other creators' work
  • Misleading metadata or thumbnails
  • Content that consistently falls outside the advertiser-friendly guidelines

If rejected, you can reapply after 21 days. Use that window to remove or privatise the videos most likely to have triggered the decision and add clearly original content.

See what your current view count would earn once you are accepted.

Free earnings calculator

Frequently asked questions

What are the YouTube monetization requirements?
For full monetisation: 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 valid public watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days, no active strikes, two-step verification, and a linked AdSense account.
Can I monetise with 500 subscribers?
In supported regions, yes — the early-access tier at 500 subscribers unlocks fan funding features such as memberships and Super Thanks, but not ad revenue.
Do Shorts count toward watch hours?
No. Shorts have a separate views threshold. Watch hours come only from long-form public content.
How long does YouTube take to review an application?
Usually about a month, though it can be faster. If rejected, you can reapply after 21 days.

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