YouTube Monetization Requirements Explained (2026 Update)

Quick Answer: To get monetized on YouTube in 2026, you need 1,000 subscribers AND either 4,000 public watch hours (long-form) OR 10 million Shorts views (last 90 days). However, there is a new "Fan Funding" tier that unlocks earlier at 500 subscribers. In this detailed guide, we break down every tier, rule, and hidden requirement.

The Two Tiers of Monetization

YouTube now has two distinct levels of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Knowing the difference can help you start earning money much faster.

Tier 1: Fan Funding (The "Early Access" Tier)

This allows you to earn money from viewers directly, but NOT from ads.

Requirements:

500 Subscribers
3 Valid Public Uploads (in last 90 days)
EITHER: 3,000 Watch Hours (last 365 days)
OR: 3 Million Shorts Views (last 90 days)

Benefits: Channel Memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, YouTube Shopping (promote your own products).

Tier 2: Ad Revenue (The "Big Money" Tier)

This unlocks AdSense revenue sharing (55% for long-form, 45% for Shorts) and YouTube Premium revenue.

Requirements:

1,000 Subscribers
EITHER: 4,000 Watch Hours (last 365 days)
OR: 10 Million Shorts Views (last 90 days)

Hidden Requirements You Must Know

Meeting the numbers is not enough. You can still be rejected. Here are the invisible rules.

1. Two-Step Verification

You must turn on 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your Google Account. This is mandatory for security.

2. Zero Active Community Guidelines Strikes

If you have a warning, you are fine. But if you have an active Strike, you cannot apply until it expires (usually 90 days). Copyright strikes do not technically block you, but they hurt your chances significantly.

3. "Reused Content" Policy (The Killer)

This exists to stop spam channels. You cannot just download TikTok compilations or movie clips and upload them. You must add "Significant Original Commentary".

Safe: A movie review where you show clips but talk over them with analysis.
Unsafe: A 10-minute clip of a movie with no editing or voiceover.

4. AdSense Account Linking

You need an active AdSense account. If you were banned from AdSense 10 years ago on a different email, Google knows. You will be rejected. One person = One AdSense account.

How to Avoid "Repetitive Content" Flags

YouTube hates robots. If your channel is "Meditation Music", and every video is the exact same 10-hour loop with a different title, you will be rejected for "Repetitive Content".

The Fix: Make sure every video has a unique intro, unique commentary, or unique visuals. If you are a gaming channel, dont just upload 100 clips of the same "Headshot". Compile them into "Top 10 Headshots of the Week" with voiceover.

The "Copyright Match Tool"

Once you are monetized, you get a superpower: The Copyright Match Tool.

This tool automatically scans all of YouTube to see if anyone has stolen YOUR video. If they have, you can click one button to request a takedown or contact them. This protects your original work and revenue.

How to Get 4,000 Watch Hours Faster

This is usually the hardest hurdle. 4,000 hours is 240,000 minutes. If your average view duration is 4 minutes, you need 60,000 views.

Strategy 1: Live Streaming
Streaming is a cheat code for watch time. If 50 people watch you for 2 hours, that is 100 hours of watch time in one day. Do 40 streams, and you are monetized.

Strategy 2: The "Podcast" Format
Make 1-hour long videos. Even if people only listen in the background, the watch time stacks up incredibly fast.

How to Get 10 Million Shorts Views

This path is much harder for most. You need to average ~111,000 views per day for 90 days.

Strategy: Quantity. You need to post 2-3 Shorts per day. Catch trends early. Use viral audio. It is a grind, but possible if you hit one viral video that gets 5M views.

AdSense vs. MCNs (Multi-Channel Networks)

Should you join an MCN to get monetized? NO.

In the past, MCNs could help you get monetized instantly. This is no longer true. You must meet the YPP requirements to join an MCN. An MCN will take 10-30% of your revenue in exchange for "support" that you probably don't need. Stick to direct AdSense unless you are huge and need legal protection.

Tax Forms and Legal Info

Before you get paid, you must fill out tax info.

US Creators: W-9 Form.
Non-US Creators: W-8BEN Form. (Vital to avoid 30% withholding on ALL earnings).

Understanding Demonetization Icons

Once you are in, you will see colored dollar signs.

Green Icon: Fully monetized. Safe for all brands.
Yellow Icon: "Limited Ads". You used swearing, discussed controversial topics, or showed violence. You earn 90% less revenue.
Red Icon: Copyright Claim. Revenue goes to the claimant (e.g., music label).
Gray Icon: Not monetized (you turned it off or didn't turn it on).

AdSense Revenue by Niche (RPM)

Not all views pay the same. Your RPM (Revenue Per Mille) depends on your topic.

Finance / Tech: $10 - $30 RPM. (Advertisers pay top dollar).
Vlogs / Comedy: $1 - $3 RPM. (Generic ads).
Gaming: $1 - $2 RPM. (Low purchasing power audience).

This means a Finance channel with 10k views makes as much as a Gaming channel with 200k views.

YouTube Premium Revenue Explained

You also earn money when a YouTube Premium subscriber watches your content. This is separate from ads.

It is calculated based on "Watch Time". If a Premium user spends 10% of their time on your channel, you get a slice of their subscription fee. This is often 5-10% of your total revenue.

Super Thanks & Memberships Strategy

Don't just rely on ads.

Super Thanks: This is a "Tip Jar" on every video. Thank people verbally in your videos to encourage this.

Memberships: Offer custom emojis and badges. The best perk is "Early Access" to new videos. This costs you $0 but provides huge value to super fans.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once you hit the metrics, you click "Apply" in YouTube Studio.

Stage 1: Accept Terms (Instant).
Stage 2: Set up AdSense (Takes 2-3 days).
Stage 3: Manual Review (Takes 2 days to 1 month).

Yes, a human reviews your channel. They check your legitimate, original content. They look at your Most Viewed videos to ensure they follow rules.

What If My Application Is Stuck?

If you have been in "Step 3" for more than a month, reach out to @TeamYouTube on Twitter. Sometimes applications get stuck in limbo. A public tweet often unsticks them.

How to Appeal a Rejected Application

If you get rejected (usually for "Reused Content"), do not panic.

You can send a Video Appeal. Make a 5-minute unlisted video showing your face. Show your editing timeline. Show your filming setup. Prove to the human reviewer that YOU make the videos. This has a 50% success rate.

Conclusion

Monetization is the starting line, not the finish line. Don't obsess over the numbers. Focus on making a library of content that people want to watch.

If you build a loyal audience of 1,000 people, the watch hours will happen automatically. Use our Revenue Calculator to see how much you will make once you cross the finish line!

Glossary of Monetization Terms

CPM (Cost Per Mille): How much advertisers pay YouTube for 1,000 ad impressions. (e.g., $10).
RPM (Revenue Per Mille): How much YOU get paid per 1,000 views. (Usually 55% of CPM).
CPC (Cost Per Click): Some ads pay only when clicked.
YPP (YouTube Partner Program): The official name for monetization.