---
title: "YouTube Monetization Requirements Explained | Finoraa"
description: "The YouTube Partner Program thresholds explained: subscribers, watch hours, Shorts views and the other requirements to earn ad revenue."
url: https://finoraa.com/guide-youtube-monetization-requirements.html
updated: 2026-11-02
---

# YouTube Monetization Requirements Explained

The YouTube Partner Program thresholds explained: subscribers, watch hours, Shorts views and the other requirements to earn ad revenue.

By Finoraa · Updated November 2, 2026

## Key takeaways

- You need 1,000 subscribers plus a second goal.
- The second goal is 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months, or 10 million public Shorts views in 90 days.
- YouTube also reviews the channel against its policies.
- Check the current numbers on YouTube Help before you plan around them.

## The thresholds

These figures come from [YouTube Help](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72851), checked in November 2026.

| Requirement | Long-form path | Shorts path |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Subscribers | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Activity | 4,000 public watch hours, past 12 months | 10 million public Shorts views, past 90 days |

## Other requirements

- Follow YouTube’s monetization policies and Community Guidelines.
- Turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google account.
- Live in a region where the Partner Program is available.
- Link an AdSense account so earnings can be paid.

## How to apply

1. Open YouTube Studio and select Earn.
2. Review the requirements shown for your channel.
3. Accept the terms, link AdSense and submit for review.

## What if you do not meet them yet?

- Look at retention in Analytics and improve the first 30 seconds of each video.
- Make more of what already gets watch time, and link to it from new videos.
- Keep your numbers in the [Monetization Checker](https://finoraa.com/monetization-checker.html) to see how close you are.

Try it yourself with the free YouTube Monetization Checker.

[Open the Monetization Checker](https://finoraa.com/monetization-checker.html)

## More guides

### How to Find a YouTube Channel ID (3 Easy Ways)

Three ways to find a YouTube channel ID: copy it from the About section, read it from the channel URL, or find it in the page source.

[Read guide](https://finoraa.com/guide-find-youtube-channel-id.html)

### YouTube RPM vs CPM Explained

What YouTube RPM and CPM mean, how they differ, a worked earnings example and the factors that move each number.

[Read guide](https://finoraa.com/guide-youtube-rpm-vs-cpm.html)

### YouTube Thumbnail Size and Dimensions

The recommended YouTube thumbnail size, aspect ratio and the five sizes YouTube generates, plus design tips that hold up on small screens.

[Read guide](https://finoraa.com/guide-youtube-thumbnail-size.html)

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