YouTube just doubled the grind before creators can start making ad money

YouTube is set to raise the bar for new creators looking to generate ad revenue through its Partner Program. Starting next year, creators will need to meet stricter criteria before being eligible for ad and Premium revenue sharing. The subscriber requirement remains at 1,000, but the alternative route based on viewing hours will now double from 4,000 to 8,000 public watch hours over 12 months or 20 million qualified Shorts views within 90 days.

Existing creators will also face a tougher challenge, as they will need to accumulate 10 million qualified Shorts views over the previous 90 days to receive Shorts ad and subscription revenue sharing starting February 1, 2026. These changes mark the first significant updates to the Partner Program since 2018, with more than three million creators currently part of the program.

YouTube also plans to expand Premium Lite to all countries offering YouTube Premium and introduce additional incentives for Shopping, brand deals, and trends. Despite these changes, the company anticipates paying creators more in 2027 compared to 2026.