YouTube Monetisation Rules Get Tougher: New Creators May Need Double Watch Hours to Earn
Brief By Abplive.com / 6:33 PM on 11 Aug 2026
YouTube has announced changes to its monetisation rules that could make it harder for new content creators to start earning money from the platform. The changes are linked to the YouTube Partner Programme, through which eligible creators can earn revenue from advertisements and YouTube Premium.
The new rules are expected to come into effect from February 1, 2027. Importantly, the changes will not affect creators who are already part of the YouTube Partner Programme. The stricter requirements will primarily apply to new creators planning to join the programme in the future.
Under the reported new requirements, creators seeking monetisation through regular videos will need to accumulate 8,000 watch hours during the previous 12 months. Creators focusing on Shorts will reportedly need to generate 20 million Shorts views within the previous 90 days.
YouTube is also changing the requirements for continued Shorts monetisation. From February 1, 2027, creators who want to continue receiving ad and subscription revenue from Shorts will reportedly need to demonstrate that their content has generated 10 million Shorts views during every 90-day period.
Creators who fail to reach the required Shorts views will not necessarily be removed completely from the YouTube Partner Programme. However, their monetisation may be paused until they meet the required threshold again.
The platform is also looking at alternative ways to help creators with lower Shorts view counts earn money. These opportunities could include YouTube Shopping bonuses, incentives linked to brand partnerships and additional earning opportunities for creators who successfully start or contribute to emerging trends.
Previously, creators generally needed 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views to meet the relevant monetisation requirements. The reported changes therefore represent a significant increase in the thresholds for new creators.
With other platforms such as X and Facebook also adjusting their creator monetisation systems, the creator economy is becoming increasingly competitive. Going forward, creators may need to focus more on original content, audience engagement and consistent performance rather than simply chasing views.