YouTube has made it tougher for new creators to earn money from ads. They’ve raised the entry requirements for their monetization program just as many people are trying to turn their channels into income.
What Changed
YouTube’s YouTube Partner Program (YPP) allows creators to earn a share of ad revenue from their videos, but the thresholds for new applicants have increased significantly.
Before, creators needed either 500 subscribers, 3,000 watch hours in the last 12 months, or 3 million Shorts views to apply for the entry-level tier. Now, those requirements have doubled: new creators must achieve 4,000 watch hours or 6 million Shorts views to qualify, according to Engadget.
Think of watch hours like a job requirement. YouTube used to accept applicants with two years of experience. Now, they want four. The subscriber count remains at 500, but getting people to watch your content long enough is where many small creators hit a wall.
Two Tiers, Two Different Stakes
YouTube’s Partner Program consists of two levels. The entry-level tier, sometimes referred to as the YPP Lite, allows creators to earn from channel memberships and Super Thanks (fan-funded tips) but doesn’t include ad revenue sharing. To access ad revenue — the big money — creators still need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. That requirement hasn’t changed.
What has changed is the entry-level threshold. For new creators, that first milestone often serves as motivation. Doubling it means a longer wait before they see any financial return.
| Requirement | Old Rule | New Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 500 | 500 (unchanged) |
| Watch Hours (12 months) | 3,000 | 4,000 |
| Shorts Views (90 days) | 3 million | 6 million |
| Ad Revenue Access | Still requires standard YPP: 1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours | |
Why Is YouTube Doing This?
YouTube hasn’t provided a detailed public explanation, but this move aligns with a broader trend. Platforms often tighten monetization requirements to reduce low-quality content created mainly to exploit ad systems. Low barriers attract spam channels, recycled content farms, and AI-generated videos, which can degrade the experience for genuine viewers.
By raising the threshold, YouTube is saying: show us that your content has a real audience before we let you share in the revenue. For established creators, this doesn’t matter. But for someone starting out in 2025 hoping to earn a side income, this is a significant setback.
What This Means for Everyday Users
If you watch YouTube, you probably won’t notice much change. The creators you already follow aren’t affected. However, if you’ve been considering starting a channel, or if you know someone who has, the timeline for earning any income just got longer.
For small creators striving for that first monetization milestone, the increased watch hours are the biggest challenge. Gaining 500 subscribers is tough but doable. Yet getting people to watch 4,000 hours of your content — that’s about 167 straight days of viewing — requires either a very loyal audience or content that YouTube’s algorithm promotes consistently.
The change for Shorts is even steeper in percentage terms: going from 3 million views to 6 million is a 100% increase. Shorts were meant to provide a quicker way for new creators to build an audience. Now that path is narrower.
Community Reaction
“This is going to kill so many small creators before they even get a chance. The algorithm already buried new channels. Now this.”
“Honestly not surprised. YouTube has been slowly making it harder for little guys since they introduced these tiers. It’s all about keeping the platform ‘clean’ for advertisers.”
What To Watch
- Creator response: Expect pushback from the YouTube creator community in the coming weeks, especially from mid-size channels advocating for small creators. Look out for open letters, petitions, or organized responses.
- YouTube’s explanation: The company might release a more detailed Creator Insider video explaining their reasoning. That channel typically addresses policy concerns directly.
- Impact on Shorts growth: With the threshold for Shorts views doubled, it’ll be interesting to see if new creator growth in that format slows down. If participation drops, YouTube might need to rethink their approach.
- Competing platforms: TikTok and Instagram have their own monetization programs. If YouTube keeps raising the entry bar, some new creators might focus their efforts elsewhere.
Maya Torres
Maya Torres is the Consumer Tech Editor at Explosion.com with 7 years covering product launches for major technology publications. She has reviewed over 300 devices across smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home products. Maya specializes in translating spec sheets into real-world buying advice and attends CES, MWC, and Apple keynotes as press. Her reviews focus on helping readers decide what to buy, not just what specs look good on paper.
