Starting February 2027, YouTube will raise its monetization criteria for budding creators, requiring them to accumulate more watch hours or views on Shorts to qualify for the program. Established partners will experience shifts in earnings related to Shorts as well as changes in program terms. Meanwhile, smaller channels can look forward to new support initiatives and incentives, designed to encourage sustainable audience growth among emerging YouTubers.

Starting in February 2027, creators will face higher monetization thresholds and a new rolling requirement for Shorts revenue.

It’s getting harder to stay a YouTube partner, too.

YouTube is changing the requirements for creators to be accepted into its primary monetization program.