YouTube Makes It Harder For New Creators To Get Paid, Doubles Watch-Hour & Shorts Requirements

YouTube Makes It Harder For New Creators To Get Paid, Doubles Watch-Hour & Shorts Requirements

Getting paid on YouTube is about to become a lot harder for new creators.

The Google-owned platform is reportedly raising the requirements for creators looking to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), effectively doubling the amount of engagement needed before they can begin earning money from their content.

Starting Feb. 1, 2027, new creators will reportedly need at least 1,000 subscribers and 8,000 qualified watch hours within the previous 12 months to qualify for the program. Creators focusing on YouTube Shorts will have another option: reaching 20 million qualified Shorts views within a 90-day period.

That’s a major jump from YouTube’s longtime requirements of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours over 12 months, or 10 million Shorts views within 90 days.

The good news for creators who are already monetized is that they reportedly won’t have to meet the higher entry requirements to remain in the Partner Program.

The move comes as YouTube continues making changes to how content can earn money on the platform. Just last month, the company clarified its monetization policies surrounding repetitive, mass-produced and low-quality content, including some content created using artificial intelligence.

The higher threshold could present another challenge for smaller and emerging creators hoping to turn their audiences into income, particularly as more people look to social media platforms to build businesses and generate revenue outside of traditional jobs.

What do y’all think? Is YouTube making it too difficult for new creators to get paid?