YouTube Partner Program (YPP) Monetization Eligibility Checker
Check if your channel is eligible for YouTube monetization and AdSense in seconds. See your progress on both YouTube Partner Program tiers: 500 subscribers for fan funding, and 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 watch hours or 10M Shorts views for ad revenue. It also covers the higher entry bar for new applicants from 1 February 2027, what YouTube checks beyond the numbers, and when you’ll qualify at your current growth rate.
Your channel numbers from YouTube Studio → Earn / Analytics
Type numbers the way Studio shows them: 1.2K, 3.4M, 2.5 lakh or 12,400.
Growth in the last 28 days optional, for time-to-goal
In Studio → Analytics, choose “Last 28 days”. Watch hours and Shorts views are rolling windows, so old views drop off as new ones come in.
Account & policy checks
Quick answer: To earn AdSense ad revenue on YouTube you need 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months or 10 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days. You also need 2-Step Verification, no active strikes, advanced features access and an AdSense for YouTube account, and your channel must pass a human review of its content. At 500 subscribers you can unlock fan funding, but not ads. From 1 February 2027, new applicants need 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views.
How to Check YouTube AdSense Eligibility
- Open YouTube Studio → Earn. If you’re not in YPP yet, the page shows your subscribers, public watch hours (last 365 days) and qualified Shorts views (last 90 days) against the targets.
- Enter those numbers in the checker exactly as shown. It understands 1.2K, 3.4M and lakh. Add your public uploads from the last 90 days for the 500-subscriber tier.
- Tick the account checks. Studio’s progress bars ignore these, and they are where many “eligible” channels get stuck: 2-Step Verification, advanced features, strikes and original content.
- Add your last-28-day growth from Analytics to see the date you’ll reach each goal, and how many hours or subscribers a day you need before the 1 February 2027 change.
- Read the result. It covers each tier and path separately, because YouTube never mixes them.
The old version of this tool, like most eligibility checkers, only compared subscribers and hours with 1,000 and 4,000. That misses the 500-subscriber tier, the uploads rule, the rolling windows, the rejection wait times, and the new 2027 entry bar. This checker covers all of them.
YouTube Partner Program Eligibility Requirements
Every channel must meet these before applying, whichever tier it applies for:
- Follow the YouTube channel monetization policies, including Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, copyright, and AdSense program policies.
- Live in a country or region where YPP is available.
- Have no active Community Guidelines strikes.
- Turn on 2-Step Verification for the Google Account.
- Have advanced features access, through video verification, a valid ID, or enough channel history.
- Have, or create, one active AdSense for YouTube account to be paid.
| Tier | Subscribers | Activity | Watch hours or Shorts | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded YPP (fan funding) | 500 | 3 public uploads in 90 days | 3,000 hours / 12 months or 3M Shorts views / 90 days | Memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, Jewels, Shopping |
| Full YPP (until 31 Jan 2027) | 1,000 | None | 4,000 hours / 12 months or 10M Shorts views / 90 days | Everything above, plus watch-page ads, Shorts ads and YouTube Premium revenue |
| Full YPP, new applicants from 1 Feb 2027 | 1,000 | None | 8,000 hours / 365 days or 20M Shorts views / 90 days | Same as full YPP |
YouTube Monetization Requirements for Ad Revenue
“AdSense on YouTube” means ad revenue sharing, and that is only available in full YPP. You need 1,000 subscribers and either the watch-hours or the Shorts path. Once accepted, you turn on the Watch Page Monetization module for long-form videos and the Shorts Monetization module for Shorts, then choose ad settings on each video.
New for 2027: YouTube announced in August 2026 that from 1 February 2027, new applicants to full YPP need 8,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days, still with 1,000 subscribers. Channels already in YPP aren’t affected by the higher entry bar, but must accept updated terms in Studio by 31 January 2027. They must also stay active: 1,000 watch hours in 365 days, or 1M Shorts views in 90 days, or 2 long-form videos or 5 Shorts every 90 days. Earning from Shorts will need 10M qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. The fan-funding thresholds don’t change.
The practical takeaway: if you’re close to 4,000 hours or 10M Shorts views, apply before 1 February 2027. The checker shows how many days are left and the daily pace you need.
1,000 Subscribers and 4,000 Watch Hours Requirement
The long-form path needs both numbers at the same time. 4,000 hours is 240,000 minutes, about 11 hours of viewing a day for a full year. It is a rolling 365-day window: every day, the hours from 366 days ago drop off. A channel that got a burst of views last autumn can slip back below the line while waiting to apply. In practice:
- 10-minute videos with 50% average view duration earn about 5 minutes per view, so 4,000 hours needs roughly 48,000 views in a year. Aim for about 4,000 a month.
- Longer videos, playlists and public live streams (kept public afterwards) build hours much faster than short uploads.
- Subscribers don’t expire, but ones removed for spam are subtracted, and bought subscribers are a policy violation.
Enter your last-28-day watch hours and the checker shows how long 4,000 (or 8,000) will take, and whether a full year at that pace even gets you there.
YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements
Shorts-first channels can join full YPP with 1,000 subscribers and 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days, or 20 million for new applicants from February 2027. That works out to about 111,000 qualified views a day, every day, because the window keeps rolling. One viral Short can put you over the line and then drop out of the window 90 days later.
Once in YPP, Shorts earn from a shared Creator Pool of Shorts-feed ad revenue. Creators keep 45% of their allocated share, and music licensing costs are deducted first. You must accept the Shorts Monetization Module. From 2027, earning from Shorts in a given month needs 10M qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days, which is separate from getting into YPP.
Since 31 March 2025, the public view count on Shorts counts every start and replay. YouTube said that change does not change monetization: eligibility and earnings still use the stricter engaged views, which is why Studio’s “qualified Shorts views” can be lower than your public counts.
500 Subscribers vs. 1,000 Subscribers: What’s the Difference?
| 500 subscribers (expanded YPP) | 1,000 subscribers (full YPP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Other requirements | 3 public uploads in 90 days + 3,000 h or 3M Shorts views | 4,000 h or 10M Shorts views (8,000 h / 20M for new applicants from Feb 2027) |
| Ad revenue (AdSense) | No | Yes: long-form, Shorts and Premium |
| Channel memberships | Yes | Yes |
| Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube Shopping | Yes (where available) | Yes |
| Availability | 100+ countries/regions, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, India, Japan, Brazil and Mexico | All YPP countries/regions |
| Moving up | When a 500-tier channel reaches the full thresholds, YouTube lets it apply for the ad revenue modules from Studio’s Earn section. | |
The 500-subscriber tier suits communities with loyal fans, such as live streamers, niche educators and creators with merch. It also gets you through YPP review and AdSense setup early. But if ad revenue is the goal, it’s only a stepping stone.
YouTube AdSense Account Requirements
- One AdSense for YouTube account per payee. You can link several channels to the same account. Don’t create a second account for a new channel.
- Age 18+, or a parent or legal guardian who connects their own AdSense account to your channel.
- Matching payee details. The name and address must match your bank account and ID, because both are verified.
- Identity and address (PIN) verification once earnings reach the verification threshold, about $10.
- Tax information. All creators must submit US tax info in AdSense. If you don’t, Google may withhold up to 24% of your total worldwide earnings. Creators outside the US usually lower this with a tax treaty claim (W-8BEN).
- Payment threshold: earnings are paid monthly once your balance reaches the local threshold, $100 in US dollars (for example €70 or £60). Below that, earnings roll over to the next month.
How to Link AdSense to a YouTube Channel
- Sign in to YouTube Studio on a computer and open Earn.
- Click Apply (or Start next to “Set up AdSense for YouTube”) after reviewing and accepting the Base terms.
- Choose Start at the AdSense step. You’ll be sent to AdSense.
- Sign in with the Google Account that should own the AdSense account. It doesn’t have to be the channel’s account. Use your existing AdSense account if you have one, or create an AdSense for YouTube account.
- Confirm your country, payee name and address, accept the association, and return to Studio. The Earn page shows “Done” for AdSense.
- Wait for review, usually about a month. Once approved, set up payments and taxes in AdSense.
To switch to a different AdSense account later, use the AdSense for YouTube → Change option in Studio’s Earn section. Each creator should still keep a single AdSense account.
Does Watch Time From Shorts Count Toward 4,000 Hours?
No. Watch time from Shorts viewed in the Shorts feed is excluded from the 4,000 public watch hours. YouTube’s community team confirmed this again in October 2025. Shorts views only count toward the Shorts path, and hours only toward the long-form path, so the two never add together. A channel with 3,000 hours and 7 million Shorts views isn’t eligible for full YPP.
Shorts still help indirectly. They bring in subscribers who count toward 1,000, and viewers who click through to your long-form videos add real watch hours. The checker tells you which path you’re closer to in percentage terms, so you can focus on one.
What Counts as Qualified Watch Hours and Shorts Views?
| Counts | Doesn’t count | |
|---|---|---|
| Watch hours (365 days) | Valid public watch time on long-form videos, including public live streams that stay public | Shorts-feed watch time. Private, unlisted or deleted videos. Unlisted, deleted or unconverted live streams. Views from ad campaigns. |
| Shorts views (90 days) | Valid, intentional views of public Shorts in the Shorts feed (engaged views) | Private, unlisted or deleted Shorts. Views from ad campaigns. Automated or accidental plays. Invalid traffic. |
| Subscribers | Real subscribers | Spam or fake subscribers removed by YouTube (they are subtracted) |
Two common traps: deleting or privating old videos removes their hours, so clean up after you’re approved, not before, unless a video breaks policy. And promoting videos with Google Ads brings views that don’t count toward eligibility.
YouTube Channel Monetization Policy Requirements
Passing the numbers only makes you eligible to be reviewed. A reviewer then checks your channel against the monetization policies, looking at its main theme, most-viewed videos, newest videos, the videos with the biggest share of watch time, video metadata (titles, thumbnails, descriptions) and the About section. The rules that matter most:
- Inauthentic content, called “repetitious content” until July 2025. Mass-produced, template or repetitive videos made mainly for views: the same video with minor changes, or low-effort slideshows and AI narration with nothing added.
- Reused content. Other people’s videos, clips, TV or movie footage, or compilations without significant original commentary, editing or educational value. Reaction and commentary videos are fine when your contribution is real.
- Advertiser-friendly guidelines for individual videos (violence, strong language, shocking content). Breaking them usually means limited ads rather than rejection.
- Community Guidelines, copyright and AdSense policies, including no fake engagement and no invalid clicks.
Why a Channel Can Meet the Numbers but Still Fail YPP Review
| Rejection reason (as in the email) | What it usually means | What to change before reapplying |
|---|---|---|
| Reused content | Most watch time comes from clips, compilations, re-uploads or lightly edited footage | Add voice commentary, analysis or teaching. Delete or private the worst offenders. |
| Inauthentic content | Many near-identical videos, template channels, mass AI output | Publish distinct, clearly made-by-you videos. Vary the formats. Show a person or voice. |
| Spam, deceptive practices and scams | Misleading titles or thumbnails, sub-for-sub, bought views | Fix metadata. Stop any engagement schemes. |
| Copyright | Music, film or TV used without rights, even if not claimed | Replace it with licensed or YouTube Audio Library tracks. |
| Community Guidelines | Harmful, sexual, violent or harassing content, even if no strike was given | Remove or edit the videos named in the email. |
After a rejection you can appeal within 21 days by recording a short video explaining your channel. You can also reapply 30 days after a first rejection, or 90 days after later ones. Enter your rejection date in the checker to see both dates. Keep uploading original videos in the meantime, because reviewers look at your newest content.
How to Check YouTube Monetization Status in YouTube Studio
- Open studio.youtube.com → Earn in the left menu (it may say Monetization in some apps).
- If you’re not in YPP, you’ll see progress bars for subscribers, watch hours and Shorts views, and Get notified or Apply when you qualify.
- After applying, the status shows as In review, then Approved, or Not approved with an appeal option. You’ll also get an email.
- Once monetized, Content → Monetization column shows each video’s ad status: green $ (ads on), yellow $ (limited ads), or grey/off.
- For the YouTube mobile app, use YouTube Studio app → Earn. Some settings, like AdSense linking, work best on a computer.
Studio often shortens these figures with “K” and “M”. Copy them into the checker as they appear.
YouTube AdSense Eligibility FAQs
What are the YouTube monetization requirements in 2026?
For ad revenue you need 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 qualified public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. You also need 2-Step Verification, no active Community Guidelines strikes, advanced features access, an AdSense for YouTube account, and to live where YPP is available. From 1 February 2027, new applicants need 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views.
Can I get monetized with 500 subscribers?
Partly. With 500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in the last 90 days, and 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days, you can join the expanded YPP in 100+ countries. That unlocks memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks and Shopping, but not ad revenue, which still needs 1,000 subscribers.
Do Shorts views count toward the 4,000 watch hours?
No. Watch time from the Shorts feed doesn’t count toward the 4,000 public watch hours. Shorts have their own path: 10 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days. The two paths never combine.
What is changing in YouTube monetization in 2027?
From 1 February 2027, new channels applying for full YPP need 1,000 subscribers plus 8,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days. Channels already in YPP keep their place but must accept updated terms by 31 January 2027 and stay active. The 500-subscriber fan-funding thresholds stay the same.
How long does YouTube take to review a monetization application?
Usually about a month, sometimes longer when many channels apply. A human reviewer looks at your channel’s main theme, most-viewed and newest videos, titles, thumbnails and About section.
Why was my channel rejected even though I met 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours?
The numbers only make you eligible to apply. Most rejections are for reused content (clips, compilations or re-uploads without real changes) or inauthentic content (mass-produced or repetitive videos). You can appeal within 21 days, or reapply 30 days after a first rejection and 90 days after later ones.
Do I need an AdSense account before applying?
You can create or link one during the application in YouTube Studio → Earn. Each creator should have one AdSense for YouTube account. It is paid monthly once you reach the payment threshold ($100 in US dollars), after verifying your identity and address at $10.
Do deleted, private or unlisted videos count toward watch hours?
No. Only public long-form videos count. Hours from videos you delete, or make private or unlisted, stop counting, and so do views from ad campaigns.
Does this checker access my YouTube account?
No. You type in the numbers from YouTube Studio and everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Resources and Sources
- YouTube Help: YPP overview & eligibilityOfficial thresholds, requirements and how to apply.
- YouTube Help: Expanded YPPThe 500-subscriber tier, its features and countries.
- YouTube Blog: YPP changes for 2027The August 2026 announcement of the new entry thresholds.
- YouTube Help: Changes to YPPActivity requirements and terms to accept by 31 January 2027.
- YouTube Help: Channel monetization policiesInauthentic and reused content, and what reviewers check.
- YouTube Help: Rejected for monetization21-day appeals and 30/90-day reapplication waits.
- YouTube Help: Payment thresholdsVerification and payment thresholds for AdSense for YouTube.
- PPC Land: Qualified hours and viewsWhat counts and what doesn’t, clarified by TeamYouTube.
Related Tools
Last reviewed: September 2026, including the YPP changes announced for 1 February 2027.