YouTube Partner Program requirements (2026)
Requirements for ad revenue
- 1,000 subscribers, and
- 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 12 months or 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days
- No active Community Guidelines strikes, 2-Step Verification turned on, and an AdSense account
In some countries a lower tier (around 500 subscribers and fewer watch hours) unlocks fan funding such as channel memberships and Super Thanks. That tier does not include ad revenue; check the "Earn" tab in YouTube Studio to see what applies to you.
How to apply
- Open YouTube Studio → Earn.
- Accept the terms and link an AdSense account (or create one).
- Your channel gets reviewed; results usually arrive within a few weeks.
Common mistakes
- Uploading others' videos, music or compilations (reused content is the most common reason for rejection)
- Assuming private or unlisted views count toward watch hours
- Not setting up payments after approval
Estimate what you could earn after approval with our YouTube money calculator.
Calculate your own numbers
Set your inputs with the sliders and see estimated earnings as a range.
YouTube money calculator →