YouTube Monetization Requirements 2026

Many creators ask the same question:

What do you need to qualify for YouTube monetization?

YouTube Partner Program Requirements

Creators generally need one of the following:

Option 1

• 1,000 subscribers
• 4,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months

Option 2

• 1,000 subscribers
• 10 million valid Shorts views in the last 90 days

Additional Requirements

Creators must also:

• Follow YouTube policies
• Enable two-factor authentication
• Have no active Community Guidelines strikes

How Long Does Approval Take?

Most applications are reviewed within a few weeks.

Approval time depends on:

• Channel quality
• Policy compliance
• Review volume

Final Thoughts

The fastest way to qualify is to consistently publish high-quality content and focus on audience retention.