“How many subscribers do I need to get paid on YouTube?” is one of the most searched questions by new creators. The simple answer – 1,000 subscribers – is only part of the story. The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) has thresholds, policies and a human review, and channels can meet the numbers and still be rejected.
This guide explains every requirement in plain language, how to apply, what reviewers look at, common rejection reasons and how to prepare your channel well before you apply.
Quick overview
- Subscribers: 1,000.
- Plus one of: 4,000 valid public watch hours on long videos in the last 12 months, or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.
- Also required: follow YouTube’s channel monetisation policies, live in a country where YPP is available, have no active Community Guidelines strikes, turn on two-step verification, have access to advanced features and link an AdSense for YouTube account (or create one during the process).
- Review: meeting the numbers does not guarantee approval.
- Shorts revenue change: YouTube announced that from 1 February 2027, earning a share of Shorts revenue each month will require at least 10 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.
What the YouTube Partner Program is
YPP is YouTube’s programme that lets creators earn money from their content. Once accepted, you can earn a share of advertising revenue on long videos and Shorts, plus access features such as channel memberships and Super Thanks, depending on eligibility.
Who should read this
- Creators approaching 1,000 subscribers.
- New channels planning their growth.
- Creators who were rejected and want to understand why.
The requirements, one by one
1. Subscribers
1,000 subscribers. Real subscribers only – buying subscribers violates YouTube’s policies and can lead to termination.
2. Watch hours or Shorts views
- Long-form path: 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months. Views on private, unlisted or deleted videos, and some other types, do not count.
- Shorts path: 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.
3. Policy compliance
Your channel must follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, copyright rules and monetisation policies – including rules against reused and repetitive content.
4. Available country
You must live in a country or region where YPP is available.
5. No active Community Guidelines strikes
Strikes must be resolved or expired before approval.
6. Account security and features
Turn on two-step verification for your Google account and enable advanced features in YouTube Studio (usually through phone or ID verification or channel history).
7. AdSense account
You need to link an AdSense for YouTube account. If you do not have one, you can create it during the application process in YouTube Studio.
Step-by-step: how to apply
- Open YouTube Studio and go to the Earn section.
- Review the requirements and click to get notified when you are eligible.
- When eligible, review and accept the base terms.
- Set up or link AdSense for YouTube.
- Submit for review.
- Wait for the decision – YouTube reviews your channel as a whole.
- If approved, choose the monetisation features you want to turn on.
What reviewers look at
Reviewers check whether the channel as a whole follows the policies. They may look at:
- your channel’s main theme;
- most-viewed videos;
- newest videos;
- the largest proportion of watch time;
- video metadata – titles, thumbnails and descriptions.
They want to see original, valuable content – not copied, auto-generated or repetitive material.
Common reasons channels are rejected
| Reason | What it means | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Reused content | Content taken from others without significant original commentary or value | Create original content; add meaningful commentary and editing |
| Repetitive content | Many videos that look almost identical with little variation | Vary formats, add value in each video |
| Misleading metadata | Titles or thumbnails that do not match the content | Make packaging honest |
| Copyright issues | Using music, clips or images without rights | Use licensed or original material |
| Low-effort compilations | Clips stitched together without value | Add narration, analysis or teaching |
If rejected, YouTube usually tells you the policy area involved. You can typically reapply after a waiting period (often 30 days) once you have fixed the issues. Check YouTube Studio for your specific timeline.
How to prepare your channel before applying
- Remove or fix videos that may violate policies.
- Make sure most of your content is clearly original.
- Improve titles, thumbnails and descriptions for honesty and clarity.
- Organise playlists so the channel’s theme is obvious.
- Check that you have the rights to all music and footage.
How you get paid after approval
YouTube pays through AdSense. Earnings from a month are finalised in the following month, and AdSense pays once your balance reaches the threshold (US$100 for USD accounts). You will need to verify your identity and address, add tax information and set up a payment method such as bank wire transfer. See our payments guide for general advice on receiving international income.
How to grow faster towards eligibility
- Publish consistently on a focused topic.
- Create videos that answer searches and videos that keep viewers watching.
- Use Shorts for discovery and long videos for watch time.
- Improve packaging – see YouTube Titles and Thumbnails.
- Engage with your audience in comments and community posts.
A worked example (hypothetical)
A cooking channel in Bangla has 1,200 subscribers and 3,100 watch hours. Instead of worrying, the creator studies analytics and sees that recipe videos longer than eight minutes hold viewers well. She publishes two new recipe series and adds chapters to older videos. Within a few months she passes 4,000 watch hours. Before applying, she removes two old videos that used copyrighted background music. Her application is approved on the first try because the channel is clearly original and consistent.
Common mistakes
- Buying subscribers or watch hours.
- Using copyrighted music “because others do”.
- Uploading compilations of other creators’ content.
- Ignoring Community Guidelines strikes.
- Applying before cleaning up older, weak or risky videos.
Risks and safety
- Scam services offering “monetisation guaranteed” packages or “watch hour” sales – these violate policies.
- Phishing: fake “YouTube Partner” emails asking for logins or offering fake sponsorships.
- Account security: use two-step verification and never share your password.
Pros and cons of joining YPP
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Earn ad revenue and access fan-funding features | Strict policies and ongoing review |
| Professional credibility | Revenue varies by topic and audience |
| Creator support resources | Ad-friendly guidelines may limit some content |
Realistic expectations
Many channels take many months or longer to reach YPP. Ad revenue after approval varies widely by niche, audience location, video length and season. Joining YPP is a milestone, not a guarantee of significant income.
Beginner tips
- Focus on value and consistency before thinking about thresholds.
- Track watch hours monthly in YouTube Studio.
- Keep your channel theme clear.
- Build a habit of checking music and footage rights.
Advanced tips
- Build series that increase session watch time.
- Update older videos’ metadata to improve discovery.
- Diversify income with sponsorships, affiliate links and products.
- Read YouTube’s official monetisation policy pages regularly for updates.
Frequently asked questions
Do Shorts views count towards the 4,000 watch hours?
No. Shorts views count towards the separate 10 million Shorts views path.
How long does the YPP review take?
It varies. YouTube Studio shows your application status.
Can I get monetised with a faceless channel?
Yes, if the content is original and follows policies. See our faceless channel guide.
What happens if I lose subscribers after joining?
YouTube may review channels periodically; staying policy-compliant matters most.
Is YPP available in Bangladesh?
Check YouTube’s official list of YPP-available countries and regions in YouTube Help.
Final step
Open YouTube Studio’s Earn section today and check your progress towards each requirement. Make a short list of videos to review for policy issues. Continue with our YouTube guides.