YouTube Partner Program Requirements in 2026 (and How to Join)

If you want to monetize your video content, the YouTube Partner Program is the way in. It unlocks fan funding and Shopping features, a share of ad revenue once your channel is big enough, and access to YouTube's Creator Support teams.

Here are the requirements as they stand in 2026, what actually counts toward each threshold, and how to apply.

What is the YouTube Partner Program?

The YouTube Partner Program lets creators earn money from ads on their videos and gives access to YouTube's Creator Support teams. Recently, YouTube expanded the program to include features like fan funding and shopping for eligible creators in certain countries. 

YouTube Partner Program requirements in 2026

There are two parts to qualifying: the baseline account requirements every channel has to meet, and one of two eligibility thresholds.

Baseline requirements

Before applying, make sure you:

• Follow YouTube’s channel monetization policies.
• Live in a country or region where YPP is available.
• Have no active Community Guidelines strikes.
• Enable 2-Step Verification on your Google Account.
• Have access to advanced features on YouTube.
• Link an active AdSense for YouTube account to your channel (or be ready to set one up in YouTube Studio).

These apply whichever threshold you qualify under. If you have an active Community Guidelines strike, you can apply once it expires or once you’ve successfully appealed it.

Eligibility thresholds

There are two tiers, and this is the part most guides get wrong. In eligible countries and regions — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia and India — you can join YPP at 500 subscribers, but ad revenue sharing doesn’t start until 1,000.

Tier 1 — join YPP for fan funding and Shopping. Meet one of these:

• 500 subscribers, 3 valid public uploads in the past 90 days, and 3,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months, or
• 500 subscribers, 3 valid public uploads in the past 90 days, and 3 million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days.

Tier 2 — add ad revenue and YouTube Premium revenue sharing. Once you’re in YPP, meet one of these:

• 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months, or
• 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days.

If your channel isn’t in one of the expanded-YPP countries, the 1,000-subscriber thresholds are the only way in.

What counts as a valid public watch hour?

Only watch time from long-form videos you’ve set to public. These don’t count toward the 3,000- or 4,000-hour thresholds:

• Private, unlisted, or deleted videos
• Ad campaigns
• YouTube Shorts — including watch hours from Shorts views in the Shorts Feed
• Livestreams that are unlisted, deleted, or never converted to VOD

What counts as a valid public Shorts view?

Only valid engaged views on Shorts you’ve set to public that appear in the Shorts Feed. Views on private, unlisted, or deleted Shorts don’t count, and neither do ad campaigns or image posts that show up in the Shorts Feed.

Does hitting the threshold guarantee you get in?

No. Meeting a threshold only sends your channel to review — it isn’t automatic acceptance. YouTube’s automated systems and human reviewers assess your channel as a whole against its monetization policies and guidelines.

The upside: once you’ve applied, it doesn’t matter if your subscriber or watch-hour count dips back below the threshold while you wait. (Changing a video’s privacy setting or deleting videos can affect your application, though.)

How do I apply for the YouTube partner program?

On Desktop

Open YouTube Studio. Click Earn in the left menu.

Hit Get Notified to see if you’re eligible. If YouTube confirms that you are, select Apply Now.

Check out and agree to the terms.  Set up or connect your AdSense to your YouTube account.

On Mobile

Open the YouTube Studio app. Tap Earn in the bottom menu.

Select Apply Now.

Review and accept the terms. Set up or link an existing AdSense for YouTube account.

What happens next?

Once you apply, YouTube will review your channel to make sure it meets their policies and guidelines. This usually takes about a month but can take longer. You can check your status in the Earn section of YouTube Studio.

If your application is rejected, you can appeal within 21 days or reapply after 30 days. If you've been rejected before, wait 90 days before reapplying. Use this time to review YouTube's policies and update your content.

How do you monetize your channel as a YouTube partner?

Once you're in the YPP, you can start making money through:

• Channel memberships
• Super Chat & Super Stickers
• Super Thanks
• Jewels and gifts
• Shopping
• Watch Page Ads and Shorts Feed Ads — these need the 1,000-subscriber thresholds

Just make sure to manage your ad preferences and turn on monetization for your videos. Once you do, you'll get your payments through Google AdSense.

You can also work with YouTube advertising agencies to help you monetize your content better.

And remember, if you don’t upload videos or post on the Community tab for six months or more, you might lose your monetization privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What are the YouTube Partner Program requirements in 2026?

Two tiers. Where the expanded program is available, you can join at 500 subscribers with 3 valid public uploads in the last 90 days plus either 3,000 valid public watch hours or 3 million valid public Shorts views — that unlocks fan funding and Shopping. Ad revenue and YouTube Premium revenue sharing need 1,000 subscribers with either 4,000 valid public watch hours or 10 million valid public Shorts views. Either way, the baseline requirements above apply: monetization policies followed, an available country or region, no active Community Guidelines strikes, 2-Step Verification, advanced features access, and a linked active AdSense for YouTube account.

Can you join the YouTube Partner Program with 500 subscribers?

Yes, in the countries and regions where the expanded program has rolled out. You’ll get fan funding and Shopping features — channel memberships, Super Chat and Super Stickers, Super Thanks, Jewels and gifts, and Shopping — but not a share of ad revenue, which still needs 1,000 subscribers.

What counts as a valid public watch hour?

Only watch time from long-form videos set to public. Private, unlisted, and deleted videos don’t count, and neither do ad campaigns, Shorts, or livestreams that were unlisted, deleted, or never converted to VOD.

Do I get in automatically once I hit the threshold?

No — hitting a threshold sends your channel to review, where YouTube checks it as a whole against its monetization policies. If your counts dip below the threshold while you wait, YouTube still reviews the application.

How long does approval take?

Typically about a month after you accept the terms and link an AdSense for YouTube account, though it can take longer during busy periods. Rejected applications can be appealed within 21 days, or reapplied after 30 days (90 days if you’ve been rejected or reapplied before).

Wrapping up

The YouTube Partner Program is a great way to earn money from your videos. Just meet the requirements, apply, and keep engaging with your audience. Oh, and need an easy way to record and edit YouTube videos? Check out Tella.