YouTube Partner Program requirements, in plain English

This summarizes YouTube's help page at the time of writing. Rules change, so check YouTube Help before you rely on any number.

What you need to join

• Follow YouTube's channel monetization policies.
• Live in a country or region where the program is available.
• Have no active Community Guidelines strikes.
• Turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google account.
• Have access to YouTube's advanced features.
• Have one active AdSense for YouTube account linked, or set one up in YouTube Studio.

The eligibility thresholds

YouTube Help lists two routes:

1. 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 qualified public watch hours in the last 12 months, or
2. 1,000 subscribers and 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.

YouTube notes that watch hours from Shorts in the Shorts feed do not count toward the 4,000 watch hours.

How to apply

In YouTube Studio, open the Earn section, apply, accept the terms and link or set up AdSense for YouTube. YouTube then reviews the channel against its policies.

Earning before you qualify

• Promote your own products or services in videos and descriptions.
• Use the channel to bring leads to your business.
• Work with brands, disclosing paid promotions as YouTube requires.

For businesses

A business channel often earns more from customers than from ads. A clear video that answers a common question can bring inquiries long before the channel qualifies for revenue sharing.