YouTube has announced changes to its YouTube Partner Program (YPP), introducing new ways for creators to earn money from their content. According to YouTube’s official announcement yesterday, the changes aim to reward active creators and support the growing creator economy.

YouTube said more than 3 million creators are currently part of the YPP and expects to pay creators more in 2027 than it did in 2026. The latest changes mark the first major update to the program since 2018.

As part of the changes, YouTube is expanding Premium Lite to all countries where YouTube Premium is available. Creators will receive a share of Premium Lite subscription revenue based on members’ watch time and views. YouTube said 60 percent of net Premium Lite subscription revenue will form the creator revenue pool.

YouTube is also changing how Shorts revenue is distributed. From February 1, 2027, creators will need at least 10 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days to remain eligible for Shorts ad and subscription revenue sharing.

Creators who do not meet the 10 million-view threshold will remain part of the YPP and can continue earning from long-form videos. Their Shorts revenue sharing will resume once they meet the required view threshold again.

For creators who do not meet the Shorts threshold, YouTube plans to introduce other earning opportunities, including bonuses linked to YouTube Shopping, incentives for brand deals and rewards for creators who start and grow trends. More details about these programs will be announced later.

YouTube is also changing the eligibility requirements for new creators applying to the YPP. New applicants will need either 8,000 qualified watch hours in the previous 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days.

These new requirements apply to new YPP applicants and do not automatically affect existing YPP creators. The entry requirements for fan funding and shopping features will remain unchanged.

The new YPP terms will take effect from February 1, 2027. Creators can review and sign the updated terms through YouTube Studio.