YouTube is tightening the Partner Program ad-revenue criteria: channels need over 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days. Channels already in the program keep their status even if they fall below the bar. New applicants must meet the criteria by February 2027. YouTube says the change mainly reflects Shorts growth and that Super Chat and memberships are unaffected. If your business earns from YouTube or plans to, start building the channel now, with Shorts as a route to qualify, and do not count on ad revenue from new channels without meeting the thresholds.