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Requirements for Monetizing YouTube: Full Eligibility Conditions for YPP Approval (2026 Guide)

Requirements for Monetizing YouTube: Full Eligibility Conditions for YPP Approval (2026 Guide)

Requirements for Monetizing YouTube: Full Eligibility Conditions for YPP Approval (2026 Guide)

If you want to earn money from YouTube officially, you must first understand the complete set of requirements for joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
Monetization is not just about reaching numbers—it also includes policy compliance, account readiness, and successful channel review before approval.

This guide explains the official eligibility rules, the additional conditions beyond metrics, and how to prepare your channel for acceptance without delays.

The Core Eligibility Thresholds (Two Official Paths)

To qualify for YouTube monetization, creators must achieve one of the following paths:

Long-form video path

  • 1,000 subscribers

  • 4,000 valid public watch hours within the last 12 months

Shorts path

  • 1,000 subscribers

  • 10 million valid public Shorts views within the last 90 days

Important note:
Watch time generated from the Shorts feed does not count toward the 4,000-hour requirement for long-form monetization.

Requirements Beyond Numbers

Even after meeting subscriber and watch-time thresholds, YouTube still requires several account and policy conditions:

  • The channel must follow YouTube monetization policies and Community Guidelines.

  • The channel must be in a country where YPP is available.

  • There must be no active Community Guidelines strikes.

  • Two-step verification must be enabled on the Google account.

  • Advanced features access must be activated.

  • A valid AdSense for YouTube account must be created or linked.

Failing any of these conditions can delay or prevent approval, even if the numbers are complete.

What YouTube Reviews Before Approval

YouTube evaluates the entire channel, not only recent videos.
Reviewers typically check:

  • Originality and value of the content.

  • Clear channel identity and niche consistency.

  • Absence of reused or repetitive material without transformation.

  • Honest titles, thumbnails, and descriptions.

Channels that rely on copied clips, compilations, or misleading presentation often face monetization rejection despite meeting eligibility metrics.

Steps to Apply for Monetization

Once all requirements are satisfied, follow the official process:

  1. Open YouTube Studio → Earn.

  2. Click Apply Now.

  3. Accept the base terms of YPP.

  4. Create or connect AdSense for YouTube.

  5. Wait for the channel review decision.

The review period can vary, and approval depends on policy compliance and content quality, not only speed.

Common Reasons for Monetization Rejection

Many creators reach eligibility but still get rejected due to:

  • Reused content without meaningful transformation.

  • Repetitive or low-value videos.

  • Active policy strikes or copyright issues.

  • Misleading metadata or unclear channel purpose.

  • Artificial engagement such as bought views or subscribers.

Fixing these issues before applying significantly increases approval chances.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the full requirements for monetizing YouTube transforms the process from confusing numbers into a clear roadmap:

  1. Reach eligibility through subscribers and watch time or Shorts views.

  2. Ensure policy compliance and account readiness.

  3. Apply correctly through YouTube Studio.

  4. Pass the full channel review to activate monetization.

When these steps are followed in the right order, YouTube income becomes a realistic and achievable goal, not just a distant milestone.