YouTube Requirements for Earning Money (Full Guide to Monetization in 2026)

Earning money on YouTube is one of the biggest goals for content creators—but many people think it’s just about reaching arbitrary numbers. In reality, YouTube evaluates your channel on three key pillars:

Account metrics (subscribers & watch time)
Policy compliance and content quality
Safe earning setup (AdSense & eligibility)

In this article, you’ll learn what YouTube requires before you can start earning money, how to qualify, and how to avoid common mistakes that delay approval.

What Does “Earning Money on YouTube” Really Mean?

YouTube monetization isn’t just about ads. It refers to all the ways your channel can generate income, including:

Ad revenue (display, overlay, and video ads)
YouTube Premium revenue share
Super Thanks
Channel memberships
Live stream donations (Super Chat & Super Stickers)
Brand deals and sponsorships

But before you can unlock these income streams, you must satisfy YouTube’s core requirements.

Core YouTube Monetization Requirements

To start earning revenue directly from YouTube programs like ad revenue and premium payouts, you must meet the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) criteria:

1. Minimum Subscriber Count

You must have at least 1,000 subscribers on your channel.

2. Public Watch Time or Shorts Views

You must achieve one of these paths:

4,000 valid public watch hours within the last 12 months
OR
10 million valid public Shorts views within the last 90 days

3. AdSense Account Linked

You must create and link a valid Google AdSense account to your channel for payments.

4. Compliance With Policies

Your channel must follow YouTube’s guidelines and not have active strikes.

Once you meet these metrics, you can apply through the Earn tab in YouTube Studio, after which YouTube will review your content.

Why YouTube Reviews Channels Before Approving Earnings

YouTube doesn’t just count numbers — it reviews your channel in depth to ensure that:

Your content is original and not reused
You are not repeatedly violating copyright policies
Your videos provide real value (not automation or clickbait)
Your channel has a clear content identity and audience focus

If a channel meets metrics but consists mainly of reused or repurposed material without added value, approval may be denied.

Why Numbers Alone Are Not Enough

Reaching subscriber and watch time requirements doesn’t guarantee monetization. YouTube considers:

• Content originality

Videos must be primarily your own creation, or clearly transformed with added value.

• Channel reputation and standing

Channels with repeated strikes or unresolved claims may be rejected.

• Consistent activity

Channels with irregular uploads or sudden spikes may raise flags.

If your application is rejected, YouTube will usually give a reason so you can fix the issue before re-applying.

Key Metrics You Should Focus On

To increase your chance of approval, prioritize these metrics:

Watch Time

Longer watch times signal content quality and audience retention—two signals YouTube values most.

Engagement

High engagement (likes, comments, shares) tells YouTube your content resonates with viewers.

Audience Growth

Steady subscriber increases help your channel receive more recommendation exposure.

Common Reasons YPP Applications Get Rejected

Here are some of the most frequent issues creators encounter:

1. Reused Content

Content copied from other sources without creative transformation.

2. Copyright Claims

Repeated music or clip claims reduce eligibility.

3. Strikes or Policy Violations

Active strikes signal policy non-compliance.

4. Misleading Metadata

Titles/thumbnails that don’t match content lead to high bounce rates.

5. Inconsistent Content Niche

Channels that jump between unrelated topics confuse viewers and reviewers alike.

How to Prepare Your Channel for Approval

Here’s a step-by-step checklist before you hit Apply:

Review your recent 10–15 videos: Make sure they are relevant and high quality.
Check for copyright or reused content issues: Remove or fix problematic videos.
Optimize titles and descriptions: Make them accurate, helpful, and keyword-friendly.
Organize playlists: Group videos into clear series to show theme consistency.
Fix policy warnings: Resolve any active issues before applying.

Bonus Tips to Grow Faster Before Applying

👉 Use Shorts strategically: They can massively boost watch time if positioned correctly.
👉 Engage with comments: Audience interaction is a positive quality signal.
👉 Upload consistently: A regular posting schedule builds audience retention.
👉 Analyze analytics: Use Studio data to improve based on watch time and retention trends.

Summary

To start earning money on YouTube you must:

✔ Reach 1,000 subscribers
✔ Achieve either 4,000 valid public watch hours or 10 million valid Shorts views
✔ Link a valid AdSense account
✔ Comply with policies and content requirements

And even after meeting metrics, your channel will still be reviewed for originality, niche consistency, and policy compliance before monetization is approved.