To earn money from YouTube directly, a channel has to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Since the program was expanded, there are two sets of thresholds: a lower one for fan funding and Shopping, and the classic one that also shares ad revenue.
1. The two tiers at a glance
| Tier | Subscribers | Plus one of | What it unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded YPP | 500 | 3 public uploads in 90 days and 3,000 public watch hours in 12 months, or 3 public uploads in 90 days and 3 million public Shorts views in 90 days | Fan funding (memberships, Super Chat, Super Thanks, Super Stickers) and Shopping |
| Full YPP | 1,000 | 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months, or 10 million public Shorts views in 90 days | Everything above plus ad revenue sharing and YouTube Premium revenue |
Figures are from YouTube Help. The expanded tier is available in a list of countries and regions; check that yours is included in YouTube Studio under Earn.
2. The 500 subscribers tier
- You need 500 subscribers and 3 public uploads in the last 90 days.
- Then either 3,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months, or 3 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.
- It does not pay ad revenue. It lets viewers pay you directly through memberships and Supers, and lets you tag products.
- In YouTube Studio, open Earn and choose Get notified to be told when you qualify.
3. The 1,000 subscribers tier
- 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months, or
- 1,000 subscribers and 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.
- Watch time from Shorts played in the Shorts feed does not count toward the 4,000 hours. Pick the path that matches your channel: long videos or Shorts.
4. Requirements beyond the numbers
- Follow the YouTube channel monetization policies, which include the Community Guidelines and the rules on reused content.
- Live in a country or region where the Partner Program is available.
- Have no active Community Guidelines strikes.
- Turn on 2-Step Verification on the Google account.
- Have access to advanced features on YouTube.
- Link one active AdSense for YouTube account, or create one in YouTube Studio.
5. What does not help you qualify
- Private, unlisted and deleted videos: thresholds count public content only.
- Bought views or subscribers: YouTube's fake engagement policy forbids them, and reviewers look at how a channel grew. They will not get a channel approved and can get it rejected.
- Reuploaded content: compilations or reuploads without your own meaningful contribution are a common reason for rejection.
6. How the review works
After you apply, YouTube reviews the channel as a whole: main theme, most viewed videos, newest videos, and how much of the watch time comes from them. According to YouTube Help, a decision usually takes about a month, longer when there are many applications, and some channels are reviewed more than once.
If the channel is rejected, YouTube Studio shows when you can apply again. Use that time to fix what the policy points to rather than uploading more of the same.
7. Getting there faster
- Publish on one clear topic so viewers who find one video want the next.
- Long videos build watch hours; Shorts build subscribers and views. Many channels use Shorts to grow and long videos to qualify.
- Some buyers prefer to start from a channel that already has an audience. If you go that way, check the channel's monetization status, strikes and traffic sources before payment: see YouTube channels for sale.
Frequently asked questions
How many subscribers do you need to get paid on YouTube?
500 subscribers for fan funding and Shopping in the expanded Partner Program, and 1,000 subscribers for ad revenue. Each tier also needs watch hours or Shorts views.
Do Shorts views count toward the 4,000 watch hours?
No. Watch time from Shorts in the Shorts feed does not count toward the 4,000 public watch hours. Shorts have their own path: 10 million public Shorts views in 90 days.
How long does YouTube monetization review take?
YouTube says decisions usually take about one month, sometimes longer when many channels apply, and some channels are reviewed more than once.
Do I need AdSense to join the Partner Program?
Yes. You link one active AdSense for YouTube account to the channel, or create one in YouTube Studio during the application.
Can I monetize with a Community Guidelines strike?
No. A channel with an active Community Guidelines strike is not eligible until the strike expires.
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