To monetize a YouTube channel, creators must meet specific eligibility requirements set by the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Here’s an overview of the current requirements for monetization:
(These are as on the date of publishing this post. YouTube program policies keep changing time-to-time so please keep that in mind)
Basic Requirements for Monetization
- Subscriber Count:
- 1,000 subscribers are needed to earn revenue from ads and YouTube Premium.
- Alternatively, creators can qualify with 500 subscribers for earlier access to fan funding features.
- Watch Time or Shorts Views:
- For full monetization (ad revenue), channels must have 4,000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.
- For early access with 500 subscribers, creators need either 3,000 hours of watch time in the last year or 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.
- Content Requirements:
- Content must comply with YouTube’s monetization policies, which include being original and advertiser-friendly. Channels should not have any active Community Guidelines strikes.
- AdSense Account:
- A Google AdSense account must be linked to the YouTube channel to receive payments.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
- Creators must enable two-factor authentication on their Google account for added security.
- Upload Frequency:
- For those qualifying with 500 subscribers, at least three public videos must be uploaded within the last 90 days.
Summary of Monetization Levels
| Monetization Level | Subscribers Required | Watch Time/Shorts Views Required |
|---|---|---|
| Full Monetization | 1,000 | 4,000 hours watch time or 10 million Shorts views |
| Early Access | 500 | 3,000 hours watch time or 3 million Shorts views |
These requirements allow creators to start earning revenue from their content sooner while maintaining standards that ensure quality and compliance with community guidelines.