YouTube doubles Partner Programme entry requirements, new monetisation rules begin February 2027

YouTube has announced it will raise the entry requirements for its Partner Programme from February 1, 2027. New applicants will need 1,000 subscribers and either 8,000 qualified public watch hours in the previous 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days.

Both the watch hour and Shorts view thresholds are exactly double what the platform currently requires. The 1,000-subscriber minimum stays the same. YouTube described the changes as the first major revision to its Partner Programme entry conditions since 2018.

New thresholds for new applicants

From February 1, 2027, creators applying to join the Partner Programme must meet the following conditions: 1,000 subscribers, plus either 8,000 qualified public watch hours in 12 months or 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days. The current requirements are 1,000 subscribers, 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views.

YouTube said the update is designed to ensure the programme continues to reward creators who maintain active and growing audiences. The company said more than three million creators currently belong to the YouTube Partner Programme. It also reported over 200 billion Shorts views daily and more than one billion hours of content watched on television every day, according to BusinessDay.

Shorts creators face separate 10 million view requirement

For creators already in the Partner Programme, YouTube is introducing a separate ongoing requirement for those who want to keep earning from Shorts. From February 2027, they will need at least 10 million qualified Shorts views within any 90-day window to remain eligible for Shorts advertising and subscription revenue sharing.

Channels that drop below this threshold will not be removed from the programme. They will continue earning from long-form videos. Shorts revenue sharing will resume automatically once the channel hits 10 million views again.

Existing programme members will not face the new joining requirements. Those rules apply only to fresh applicants.

This announcement marks a shift from YouTube's earlier push to widen access to monetisation. The platform had previously introduced a lower entry tier requiring 500 subscribers, three uploads within 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or three million Shorts views in 90 days.

What this means for Nigerian creators

For Nigerian creators, the higher thresholds could make earning from YouTube considerably harder, particularly for smaller channels that rely on Shorts to build an audience. Nigerian musicians, filmmakers and content creators with substantial followings who attract viewers in high-value advertising markets may be less directly affected.

YouTube's updated rules now place a stronger emphasis on sustained performance and audience consistency as the platform manages the rapid growth of its global creator base.