YouTube Revises YPP Rules From 2027: Shorts Monetisation and Entry Requirements Get Tougher

YouTube will revise its Partner Program rules from February 2027, raising Shorts monetisation requirements, increasing entry thresholds and expanding Premium Lite revenue opportunities for creators.

YouTube Revises Partner Program Rules From 2027

YouTube is preparing significant changes to its YouTube Partner Program (YPP), marking its first major revision to the programme since 2018. The updated rules will change how Shorts creators qualify for revenue sharing while also increasing the eligibility requirements for new creators seeking advertising and YouTube Premium income.

The changes are scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2027. YouTube currently has more than 3 million creators participating in YPP and expects creator payouts in 2027 to exceed those made during 2026.

The announcement comes as Shorts continues to grow rapidly, with YouTube reporting more than 200 billion Shorts views each day.

Shorts Monetisation Gets a Higher View Requirement

One of the most important changes affects creators earning revenue from YouTube Shorts.

From February 1, 2027, YPP creators will need to generate 10 million qualified Shorts views within a rolling 90-day period to remain eligible for Shorts advertising and subscription revenue sharing.

Creators who fail to reach the new benchmark will not be removed from YPP. Instead, they will temporarily lose access to Shorts revenue sharing while continuing to earn from eligible long-form videos.

Once a channel reaches the required 10 million qualified Shorts views again, Shorts revenue sharing will automatically be restored.

YouTube indicated that creators who are already generating substantial income through Shorts are unlikely to experience a major impact from the revised requirement.

New Incentives Planned for Smaller Shorts Creators

YouTube is also looking at alternative ways to help creators who do not reach the new Shorts threshold. The company plans to introduce additional incentive programmes that could provide earning opportunities through YouTube Shopping, brand partnerships and creator-led trends.

These initiatives are intended to give emerging creators additional ways to generate income rather than relying solely on advertising revenue.

YouTube has not yet revealed all the details of these programmes and is expected to provide more information at a later stage.

Premium Lite Monetisation to Expand Globally

Another major change involves YouTube Premium Lite, which the company plans to make available across all markets where YouTube Premium is offered.

Premium Lite is designed to provide users with an ad-reduced viewing experience for much of YouTube's content, along with features such as offline and background playback.

Under the updated system, creators will receive a portion of the revenue generated through Premium Lite subscriptions via a dedicated creator revenue pool.

YouTube says 60% of Premium Lite's net subscription revenue will be allocated to the creator pool, compared with 30% of net subscription revenue allocated to the creator pool for standard YouTube Premium.

The distribution will depend on factors including member watch time and views. After the relevant pool is calculated, creators receive a 55% share for long-form content and 45% for Shorts.

Higher Eligibility Bar for New YPP Applicants

YouTube is also raising the requirements for creators who want to newly join YPP and access advertising and Premium revenue sharing.

Under the revised rules, new applicants will need to meet one of the following requirements:

• 8,000 qualified public watch hours within the previous 365 days, or

• 20 million qualified Shorts views within the previous 90 days.

These higher thresholds will apply specifically to new YPP applicants. Creators who are already members of the programme will not be affected by these entry-level changes.

However, YouTube's existing eligibility requirements for Fan Funding and shopping features will remain unchanged.

YouTube Focuses on Multiple Creator Income Sources

The latest changes suggest that YouTube is moving beyond a traditional advertising-focused monetisation model.

The company is placing greater emphasis on creator activity, audience engagement and alternative revenue streams such as shopping, sponsorships, subscriptions and brand partnerships.

With Shorts becoming an increasingly important part of YouTube's ecosystem, the revised rules are designed to distinguish highly active creators while encouraging others to explore different monetisation opportunities.

What Creators Need to Know From February 2027

The new rules will have different effects depending on a creator's status.

Existing YPP members: They will need 10 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days to maintain Shorts advertising and subscription revenue sharing.

New YPP applicants: They will face the higher requirement of 8,000 qualified public watch hours in 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days for advertising and Premium revenue sharing.

Creators below the Shorts threshold: They can remain in YPP and continue earning from eligible long-form content, while Shorts revenue sharing can return after they cross the required view threshold.

Premium Lite: The service will expand to all YouTube Premium markets, creating another potential revenue stream for eligible creators.

YouTube's Creator Monetisation Strategy Evolves

YouTube's YPP changes represent a major adjustment to its creator monetisation strategy. While the platform is raising the bar for advertising and Shorts revenue sharing, it is simultaneously creating more opportunities through Premium Lite, shopping, brand partnerships and other incentive programmes.

The revised terms are expected to take effect on February 1, 2027, giving creators time to understand the new requirements and adjust their content strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

YouTube’s upcoming YPP changes will make Shorts monetisation and programme entry more competitive from February 1, 2027. While higher thresholds may challenge smaller creators, expanded Premium Lite monetisation, shopping, brand deals and other incentives could provide new ways to earn. The changes highlight YouTube’s growing focus on rewarding active creators and diversifying revenue opportunities beyond traditional advertising.