What are YouTube's monetization requirements in 2026?
YouTube has three monetization tiers as of 2026: the Lite tier (500 subs + 3,000 valid public watch hours OR 3M Shorts views in 90 days) unlocks fan funding but not ads; the full Partner Program (1,000 subs + 4,000 watch hours OR 10M Shorts views) unlocks ads; and expanded YPP eligibility opens brand connect features. Most creators skip the Lite tier and go straight to full YPP.
YouTube monetization thresholds (2026)
| Tier | Long-form path | Shorts path |
|---|---|---|
| YPP Lite (fan funding only) | 500 subs + 3,000 WH | 500 subs + 3M Shorts views/90d |
| Full YPP (ads unlocked) | 1,000 subs + 4,000 WH | 1,000 subs + 10M Shorts views/90d |
| YouTube Brand Connect | ≥ 10,000 subs | Plus advertiser-friendly content |
Context
'Watch hours' means valid public long-form watch hours in the last 365 days. Shorts views and unlisted/private content don't count. The Lite tier was added in 2024 to help smaller creators start earning from Super Chat / Super Thanks / channel memberships before hitting the ads threshold.
Methodology
Direct from YouTube Partner Program docs (2026), cross-checked against creator onboarding disclosures.
Model your own numbers
Related reading
More answers in this category
- How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views in 2026?
- How much does YouTube pay for 1 million views?
- Do YouTube Shorts pay less than long-form videos?
- How many YouTube subscribers do you need to make $1,000 per month?
Last updated 2026-07-10.