What changes in YouTube monetization on February 1, 2027
Tools in this answer
Short answer: on February 1, 2027, YouTube raises the bar for new YouTube Partner Program (YPP) applicants and adds a monthly Shorts rule for everyone. New channels will need 8,000 watch hours in 365 days or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days. Every channel will need 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days to get paid from the Shorts Creator Pool. If you are already in the program, you keep your spot, but you must accept the new terms in YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027.
Every figure below comes from YouTube's own Help Center. Checked on 23 October 2026.
What changes on February 1, 2027
| What changes | Before | From Feb 1, 2027 | Who it affects | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joining for ad revenue | 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10M Shorts views in 90 days | 1,000 subscribers plus 8,000 watch hours in 365 days or 20M Shorts views in 90 days | New applicants only | YPP updates |
| Earning from the Shorts Creator Pool | Any channel in the program with the Shorts module | 10M qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days, checked each month | All Shorts earners | Shorts monetization |
| Staying active | Monetization may be turned off after 6 months with no uploads or posts | Meet 1 of 3 activity rules, with a 90-day window to recover | All members | YPP updates |
| Targeted Shorts ads | Not offered | 45% revenue share when an advertiser targets 5 or fewer channels | Eligible Shorts creators | YPP updates |
| Premium Lite | Limited countries | All countries with Premium. Creators share a pool of 60% of net Premium Lite revenue | All members | YPP updates |
| New terms | Current terms | Must be accepted in YouTube Studio by Jan 31, 2027 | All members | YPP overview |
Fan funding and Shopping keep a lower bar: 500 subscribers plus 3,000 watch hours in a year or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days.
Will I lose my Shorts money?
Only if your Shorts fall under 10 million qualified views in the last 90 days. Qualified views are not the same as the view count on your Short. YouTube leaves out some views, like those from bots or non-original content. So your qualified number is usually lower than your total.
YouTube measures the 90 days ending on the 15th of each month. That count decides if you earn from the pool the next month.
Example. Your channel has 6 million qualified Shorts views in the 90 days ending February 15. That is under 10 million, so you get no Creator Pool share for that month. You are still in the Partner Program. Long-form ads, memberships and Shopping keep paying. If you pass 10 million again in a later check, Creator Pool pay comes back.
How much is 10 million views worth? At third-party RPM estimates of $0.01 to $0.33 per 1,000 views, it is about $100 to $3,300 over 90 days. Try your own numbers in the Shorts money calculator, or read how much Shorts pay per million views.
What to do before January 31, 2027
- Accept the new terms. Open YouTube Studio and accept the updated YPP terms. YouTube says you need this to keep full monetization.
- Check your qualified Shorts views. Look at your last 90 days of Shorts views, not just the total. If you are near 10 million, plan for months when you dip below.
- Build long-form watch hours. Long-form ads don't depend on the Shorts rule. A few longer videos give you income that the 10 million line can't touch.
- Stay active. To count as active, you need 1 of these: 1,000 watch hours in 365 days, 1 million Shorts views in 90 days, or 2 long videos or 5 Shorts every 90 days.
- Add other income. Memberships, Shopping and sponsors don't depend on the Shorts pool.
What this means for small channels
If you are not in the program yet, the bar doubles on February 1. Applying before then under the 4,000-hour rule is worth it if you're close. Once you're in, YouTube says the change doesn't affect your status.
If you are in the program but get fewer than 10 million Shorts views every 90 days, your Shorts pay stops. For most small channels, that pay was small anyway. 2 million views at a $0.05 RPM is about $100. Long videos, memberships and sponsors will likely matter more. Read why Shorts RPM is low for the math, and see monetization tools.
Questions
When do the YouTube monetization changes start?
February 1, 2027. You must accept the new terms in YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027.
Will I be removed from YPP if I am already in it?
No. YouTube says current members keep their status. Missing 10 million Shorts views only stops Creator Pool pay. You can still lose monetization if your channel isn't active.
What are the new YPP requirements in 2027?
For new applicants: 1,000 subscribers plus 8,000 watch hours in 365 days or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days.
What are qualified Shorts views?
Views YouTube counts toward eligibility. Some views, like bot views, are left out, so the number is often below your total.
Do I need 10 million views every month?
No. You need 10 million in the 90 days ending on the 15th. YouTube checks this every month.
Cite this: ShortStack.tools, "YouTube Monetization Changes 2027", checked 2026-10-23, https://shortstack.tools/answers/youtube-monetization-changes-2027/
Sources: YouTube Partner Program updates, YouTube Shorts monetization policies, YouTube Partner Program overview. RPM range: third-party data. Checked on 23 October 2026.