New YouTube Partner Program requirements from February 20, 2018
YouTube Partner Program overview
On January 16, 2018, we announced new eligibility requirements for the YouTube Partner Program. Once a channel reaches 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months and 1,000 subscribers it will be reviewed to join the program. Get more details on the YouTube Creator Blog.
The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) lets creators monetize their content on YouTube. Creators can earn money from advertisements served on their videos and from YouTube Red subscribers watching their content. You can apply to join the YouTube Partner Program from your account in Creator Studio.
Access to creator features
Note that your channel currently needs to be in the YouTube Partner Program in order to access certain features, such as end screens and cards that link to associated websites, crowdfunding, or merchandise sites.
When YPP eligibility requirements are updated on February 20, 2018, channels that currently have access to these features will continue to have access even if they’re no longer in YPP. We’ll be building out new eligibility criteria for this external linking feature. Get more information in our YPP FAQs.
How to apply for the program
Updated January 17, 2018: If you applied for the YouTube Partner Program in the past month, your application will be reviewed in the next few weeks according to the new program eligibility requirements. Thank you for your continued patience in the meantime.
Eligibility & program threshold
On January 16, 2018, we announced new eligibility requirements for the YouTube Partner Program. Previously, the requirement to join the YouTube Partner Program was 10,000 lifetime views. Now, once a channel reaches 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months and 1,000 subscribers it will be reviewed to join the program.
If your application is currently pending review
The new requirement applies to channels that are currently awaiting review to be in the YouTube Partner Program:
- If you meet the new threshold, your pending application will be reviewed in the next few weeks.
- If you do not yet meet the new threshold, your application will be reviewed once your channel reaches 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months and 1,000 subscribers (the new threshold).
If you’re currently part of the YouTube Partner Program
The new requirement applies to existing channels who are currently part of the YouTube Partner Program:
- If your channel meets the threshold, you will remain in the YouTube Partner Program.
- If your channel is below the threshold, you’ll have until February 20, 2018, before your channel is removed from the YouTube Partner Program. The YouTube Creator Academy has many tips on building your channel, such as how to make great original content and growing your audience.
- If your channel reaches the new threshold by February 20, 2018, you will automatically stay in the program (you do not need to re-apply).
How to apply
You can follow the 4 steps to join the YouTube Partner Program from your account in Creator Studio. Once your channel reaches the program threshold, your channel activity will be reviewed.
What’s reviewed when you apply
Once your channel reaches the program threshold, your channel activity is reviewed to make sure your content adheres to the YouTube Partner Program policies, YouTube Terms of Service, YouTube spam policies, and our Community Guidelines.
We’ll email you to let you know as soon as the process is complete. You can also check the status of your application at Creator Studio > Channel > Monetization. The process may take up to several weeks.
- If you’re approved: You’ll start earning money on YouTube right away if you’ve already chosen the videos you want to monetize.
- If you’re not approved: If your channel isn’t approved to join the program, it’s likely because we cannot determine whether your channel’s activity complies with the YouTube Partner Program policies and Community Guidelines.
You can keep uploading original content and building your audience on YouTube even if you’re not in the YouTube Partner Program—and you can re-apply again in 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need 1K subs or 4K watch hours in the past 12 months, or both?
You need both. If your channel has fewer than 1,000 subscribers or fewer than 4,000 watch hours then it doesn’t meet both requirements and will be removed from YPP on February 20, 2018.
The new requirement is for a channel to have 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months (ongoing) and 1,000 subscribers (total) before it will be reviewed to join the program.
If your channel drops below 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months, ads won’t run on your videos. Note that in cases of temporary drops (i.e., if your channel drops to 999 subscribers for a day, then returns to over 1000), the channel may not be removed from the program.
Is the watch time requirement 4K watch hours total?
In addition to 1,000 total subscribers, channels need to have 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months to qualify for YPP.
The YouTube Analytics Watch time report defaults to showing watch hours in minutes, so make sure to change your view so that it shows watch time in hours. In the graph, click the Compare metric drop-down menu, then choose Watch time (hours).
Will I lose access to creator features if I do not meet the new YPP criteria?
Channels currently need to be in the YouTube Partner Program in order to access certain features. Here’s how access may change based on the new YPP threshold.
Features not affected by YPP eligibility requirements
You do not currently need to be in YPP to use the following features (this list is not exhaustive):
- Cards: All creators can use cards. However, linking to external websites from cards is a feature that is currently only available to YPP members. When YPP eligibility requirements are updated on February 20, 2018, channels that currently have access to these features will continue to have access even if they’re no longer in YPP. We’ll be building out new eligibility criteria for this external linking feature.
- Creator Studio: You don’t need to be part of YPP to use Creator Studio on YouTube.
- Custom URLs: You don’t need to be part of YPP to claim a custom URL. However, there are other requirements that you must reach.
- Custom thumbnails: You don’t need to be part of YPP to use custom thumbnails, you just need to verify your account by phone.
- End screens: All creators can use end screens. However, linking to external websites from end screens is a feature that is currently only available to YPP members. When YPP eligibility requirements are updated on February 20, 2018, channels that currently have access to these features will continue to have access even if they’re no longer in YPP. We’ll be building out new eligibility criteria for this external linking feature.
- Live streaming: You don’t need to be part of YPP to use live streaming. You just need to confirm that your channel is verified and that you have no live stream restrictions in the last 90 days.
- Scheduling uploads: You don’t need to be part of YPP to schedule uploads.
- YouTube Analytics: You don’t need to be part of YPP to use YouTube Analytics.
Features affected by YPP eligibility requirements
You currently need to be in YPP to use some monetization-related features. When YPP eligibility requirements are updated on February 20, 2018, only channels that are in YPP will continue to have access to these features:
Does monetization status affect search results?
Monetization status is not used to inform how videos display on YouTube. If your channel is no longer in the YouTube Partner Program after February 2018, it does not mean your videos will be limited in search and discovery.
If your YPP participation is suspended
If it’s determined that your channel is no longer eligible for monetization, your channel will lose access to all monetization tools and features associated with the YouTube Partner Program. Learn more about what to do if monetization is disabled for your channel.
You can keep uploading original content and building your audience on YouTube even if you’re not in the YouTube Partner Program. You can re-apply to the program 30 days after suspension.
