YouTube launched its Partner Program in 2006. The year 2026 marks two decades since that launch. Over time, the platform has revised how it shares revenue with creators. Now, YouTube has updated the Partner Program terms. The company calls this the first major change since 2018.
The new rules raise the entry thresholds for fresh applicants. YouTube says the updates will help the program stay a leader in the creator economy. The company also expects to pay creators more in 2027 than it did in 2026.
The revised requirements take effect on February 1, 2027. New creators who want to join the Partner Program must meet higher targets. They need 8,000 qualified watch hours in the past year. Alternatively, they can qualify with 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. Fan Funding and shopping product thresholds remain unchanged.
Currently, creators need 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 qualified watch hours in the last 365 days. They can also qualify with 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views over 90 days. YouTube explains that the higher bars match the platform’s rapid growth. The service now records over 200 billion Shorts views every day. It also delivers more than one billion hours of watch time on television daily.
YouTube has also changed Shorts revenue sharing. Starting February 1, 2027, creators must reach 10 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days to earn ads and subscription revenue from Shorts. Creators who fall below this level can still stay in the Partner Program. They will continue to earn from long-form content.
In addition, YouTube has expanded its Premium Lite plan. The company states that the plan is now available in all countries. Premium Lite lets users download videos for offline viewing. It also supports background playback for most content and removes some advertisements.
These changes aim to adjust the Partner Program to YouTube’s current scale while maintaining support for established creators.