YouTube Is Doubling YPP Requirements for New Creators in 2027

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YouTube Just Dropped a HUGE (and Breaking) Update

Starting February 1st, 2027, if you're not already a part of the YouTube Partner Program, the watch hour and Shorts view requirement will be doubled.

We're going from 4,000 watch hour to 8,000 watch hour, and 10 million Shorts view in 90 days to 20 million shorts view in 90 days.

IF you're already a part of the YPP, then you won't be affected and will only need to get your 4,000 watch hour or 10 million Shorts view in 90 days. This means you're safe until you lose access to the YPP... then you'll need to hit the new requirement.

The first level of YPP for Shopping and Fan Funding won't be changing, so you can still join the YPP with 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hour or 3 million Shorts view.

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Why is YouTube Doing Increasing Their YPP Requirement?

YouTube says this is because of the ever-changing ecosystem, and because the way viewers consume content have changed. They note that they want creators to be able to earn in a meaningful way, though they never really specify what that means.

We believe a part of this change is because of the rise of AI-slop content. It doesn't help that YouTube is also encouraging AI-gen by giving creators the ability to generate thumbnails and more. There are a lot of AI content on YouTube right now, and no matter what YouTube does (adding in an AI tag, adding in protective measures for your likeness, etc.), people are still complaining about the increasing AI-slop content.

And if creators are complaining to YouTube about how these AI channels are able to be monetized, then perhaps increasing the requirement might prevent new AI channels from joining the second level of YPP.

YouTube has yet to make mention about the potential of AI content being a reason why they increased the requirement.

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How Will This Impact Creators?

As mentioned before, if you're already a part of the YPP, then this won't affect you. For new creators, the steep cliff has turned into a mountain.

A lot of creators are outraged because a lot of them dream about making YouTube their full-time job, and now it's feeling more out of reach than ever.

Will it discourage creators from their dream? Or will it make them even more desperate, and resorting to posting even more AI-gen? We unfortunately say it might be both.

This is a wake up call for creators that they shouldn't put all their eggs into one basket. Getting into the YPP shouldn't be your end goal or even a starter goal. If you want to start a business or make money off of YouTube, you can do it without adsense.

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How You Can Earn Money Without Getting 8k Watch Hour or 20 Million Views in 90 Days

First, YouTube isn't changing their first level YPP. So if you're able to reach 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hour or 3 million Shorts view in 90 days, you'll be able to get access to the YPP's Shopping and Fan Funding. This opens you up to creating Memberships, Super Chats and Gifts, and Tagging Products.

So if you're a streamer on YouTube, you'll still be able to generate funds through your livestreams with Super Chats. If you're not a streamer, but want to provide exclusive content, you can create a Membership. And if you're reviewing products, you can tag these products to get viewers to click and buy, earning you revenue.

Outside of YouTube, the revenue possibilities are endless. For example, affiliate programs like Amazon, Elgato, Ecamm, and TubeSpanner.

Not sure what affiliate programs out there made for your niche? Check out the curated list from KDCC.

Oh Yeah, We Have One Too

TubeSpanner runs its own affiliate program, and if you've got an audience that's into YouTube growth, monetization, or news like this update, it's a pretty natural fit.

Affiliates earn 30–50% recurring commission, meaning you get paid every month someone you referred stays subscribed, not just a one-time payout. Tracking is handled through Rewardful, so you can actually see your clicks and conversions instead of taking our word for it.

Given that this update just made the climb to YPP steeper for a lot of creators, "diversify your income" isn't just advice we're giving you.

Become a TubeSpanner affiliate