YouTube Monetization Requirements Explained

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is how creators earn money from YouTube. This guide uses YouTube's own help pages, checked on 25 October 2026. YouTube changes these rules from time to time, so always confirm in YouTube Studio under Earn.

The two levels of YPP

YouTube has a full level and, in some countries, a lower level for fan funding.

Level	Subscribers	Plus one of these	What you unlock
Full YPP (ads)	1,000	4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months, or 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days	Ad revenue sharing, YouTube Premium revenue, plus fan funding features
Lower level (fan funding)	500	3 public uploads in the last 90 days, and 3,000 watch hours in the last 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days	Channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, Jewels and gifts, Shopping

Important details:

Watch hours from the Shorts feed do not count toward the 4,000 hours. Only public long videos count.
Only Shorts views from the Shorts feed count toward the Shorts route.
Each fan funding feature also has its own extra rules.

Is YPP available in Pakistan?

Yes, for the full program. On 25 October 2026, YouTube's YPP availability page listed Pakistan, along with India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

The lower 500-subscriber level is different. On the same date, Pakistan was not in YouTube's list of countries for the expanded (lower) level. India was listed. This means creators in Pakistan should plan for the full 1,000-subscriber thresholds. Lists change, so check the current rules on YouTube's "Overview of the expanded YouTube Partner Program" page or in YouTube Studio.

Basic requirements for everyone

Follow YouTube's channel monetization policies.
Live in a country or region where YPP is available.
Have no active Community Guidelines strikes.
Turn on 2-Step Verification on your Google account.
Have access to advanced features on YouTube.
Have one active AdSense for YouTube account linked, or be ready to create one.

How to apply

Sign in to YouTube on a computer.
Click your profile picture, then YouTube Studio.
Click Earn in the left menu.
Click Apply now.
Click Start to review and accept the Base terms.
Click Start to set up AdSense for YouTube, or link an account you already have.

After that, the review step shows "In progress". YouTube says a decision typically takes about one month, but it can take longer when many people apply.

What reviewers look at

A real person checks your channel against the monetization policies. The two most common problems are:

Reused content: other people's clips, songs or videos with little or no change from you.
Inauthentic content: repetitive, template-style or mass-produced videos, including generic AI videos. Read our YouTube AI rules guide.

YouTube says these rules apply to the whole channel. A few bad videos can block monetization for everything.

Getting paid with AdSense for YouTube

Verify your details. When your earnings reach a set level, YouTube asks you to verify your identity and address. A PIN is sent by post to your address. YouTube says it can take 3 to 4 weeks to arrive.
Submit tax information. Every creator must do this. If you do not, Google may withhold up to 24% of your total earnings worldwide.
Choose a payment method. Options depend on your address and can include bank transfer (EFT), wire transfer, Hyperwallet or cheque.
Reach the payment threshold. YouTube's example uses a threshold of $100. If you pass it during one month, you are paid near the end of the next month. Smaller amounts roll over.

Check which payment methods work for your bank in your AdSense for YouTube account, as these differ by country.

How Shorts earn

Shorts ad money goes into a shared monthly pool. Each creator gets a share based on their engaged views. YouTube says monetizing creators keep 45% of their allocated Shorts revenue, whether or not music was used.

A simple plan to get there

Choose one route. Long videos are usually the steadier route to 4,000 hours.
Use Shorts to get discovered, and long videos to build watch time.
Post on a schedule you can keep. Our Content Calendar helps.
Never buy views or subscribers. Fake activity can break the rules and does not help you earn.

Questions

Can I join YPP with 500 subscribers in Pakistan?

On 25 October 2026, Pakistan was not listed for the lower 500-subscriber level, so plan for 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views. Check YouTube Studio under Earn for the latest status.

Do Shorts views count toward the 4,000 watch hours?

No. Watch hours from the Shorts feed do not count. Shorts have their own route of 10 million Shorts views in 90 days.

How long does the YPP review take?

YouTube says it typically takes about one month, and sometimes longer when there are many applications.

Do I need AdSense before I apply?

You need one AdSense for YouTube account linked to your channel. You can create it during the application steps in YouTube Studio.

Sources

Platform rules change often. Always check the official pages before you rely on them.

YouTube Monetization Requirements: How to Join the YouTube Partner Program