YouTube Monetization Requirements 2026: The New Rules Explained
By Sound Me
Updated for 2026 Policies | 8-Minute Read
For years, the target was simple: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. That was the only finish line.
But in 2026, YouTube has changed the game.
To help smaller creators start earning money sooner, YouTube has split the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) into two separate tiers. This is great news for beginners, but it has created a lot of confusion about what features you get and when.
"Can I make money with 500 subscribers?"
"Do Shorts views count towards watch time?"
"What happens if I have a copyright strike?"
If you are chasing that "Apply Now" button, you need to know exactly what numbers you are hitting. In this guide, we break down the Tier 1 (Fan Funding) vs. Tier 2 (Ad Revenue) requirements and the hidden traps that can get your application rejected.
The New "2-Tier" System Overview
YouTube realized that waiting for 1,000 subscribers took too long, causing many creators to quit. So, they lowered the barrier for "Fan Funding" features.
Tier 1: The "Fan Funding" Level (Earlier Access)
This level does NOT pay you for Ad Views. You will not make money from people simply watching your videos. However, it allows your community to pay you directly.
Features Unlocked: Super Chat, Super Thanks, Channel Memberships, and YouTube Shopping (tagging products).
The Requirements:
500 Subscribers
3 Valid Public Uploads in the last 90 days.
AND one of the following:
3,000 Public Watch Hours (in the last 365 days).
3 Million Shorts Views (in the last 90 days).
Tier 2: The "Ad Revenue" Level (The Big Money)
This is the classic monetization. This unlocks AdSense (sharing revenue from ads played before/during your videos) and YouTube Premium revenue.
The Requirements:
1,000 Subscribers
AND one of the following:
4,000 Public Watch Hours (in the last 365 days).
10 Million Shorts Views (in the last 90 days).
Crucial Details: What Counts as "Public Watch Hours"?
This is the #1 reason people think they are ready to apply but get rejected.
Your analytics dashboard might say you have 4,000 hours, but the Earn Tab says you only have 2,500. Why?
Not all watch time counts.
These do NOT count toward monetization:
Shorts: Hours watched on the "Shorts Shelf" do not count toward the 4,000-hour goal. (Shorts have their own separate goal of 10 Million views).
Private/Unlisted Videos: If you set a video to unlisted, those hours disappear from the counter.
Deleted Videos: If you delete a video with 10,000 views, you lose those watch hours instantly.
Ad Campaigns: If you pay Google Ads to promote your video, the views you bought do not count.
The Strategy: You need Long-Form, Public videos to hit the 4,000-hour goal.
The "Hidden" Requirement: Community Guidelines
Even if you hit the numbers (1,000 subs / 4,000 hours), you can still be blocked from joining.
When you apply, a real human reviews your channel. They are checking for:
Reused Content: This is the most common rejection reason in 2026. You cannot just upload compilations of TikToks, movie clips, or memes you didn't make. You must add "Significant Original Commentary."
Copyright Strikes: If you have an active Community Guidelines strike, you cannot apply. You must wait 90 days for it to expire.
2-Step Verification: You must have Google 2-Factor Authentication turned on for your account security.
How Much Does YouTube Actually Pay? (RPM Explained)
Once you hit Tier 2, how much money will you make?
It depends on your RPM (Revenue Per Mille)—how much you get paid per 1,000 views.
Gaming/Vlogging: $2.00 - $4.00 per 1,000 views.
Tech/Education: $6.00 - $12.00 per 1,000 views.
Finance/Business: $15.00 - $40.00 per 1,000 views.
The Math:
If you have a Gaming channel and get 100,000 views a month:
100,000 / 1,000 = 100.
100 *
3.00=∗∗
300 per month.**
This is why niche selection matters! A Finance channel with the same views could make $3,000 per month.
FAQ: Common Monetization Questions
Q: If I hit Tier 1 (500 subs), do I automatically get Tier 2 (1000 subs) later?
A: No. You don't need to re-apply, but the features won't unlock until you cross the specific threshold (1,000 subs + 4,000 hours). It happens automatically once you hit the numbers.
Q: Can I monetize with AI Voiceovers?
A: Yes, mostly. YouTube allows AI voices (like ElevenLabs). However, if the visuals are just static stock images and the content is repetitive (like "generated spam"), you will be rejected for "Low Effort" or "Reused Content." The content must provide value.
Q: Do "Copyright Claims" stop monetization?
A: No. A "Claim" (e.g., using a pop song) just means that specific video won't make money (the money goes to the record label). It does not stop your entire channel from joining the program, as long as it doesn't happen on every video.
Conclusion: Focus on the Hours, Not the Subs
Getting 1,000 subscribers is actually the easy part.
Getting 4,000 watch hours is the grind.
To get 4,000 hours, you need people to watch 240,000 minutes of your content.
If your videos are 10 minutes long.
And people watch 50% (5 minutes).
You need 48,000 views to get monetized.
Stop looking at the subscriber count. Focus on making videos that keep people watching for longer. If you fix your Retention, the monetization will follow.
