What is the minimum video length for YouTube mid-roll ads in 2026?

8 minutes. Videos must be at least 8:00 long to be eligible for mid-roll ad placement. Videos shorter than 8 minutes can only run pre-roll and post-roll ads.

Do mid-roll ads require YouTube Partner Program membership?

Yes. You must be a YPP member to run any ads on your videos, including mid-rolls. YPP requires 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 watch hours or 10M Shorts views in 90 days.

How much more do mid-roll ads earn compared to pre-roll only?

Typically 40-100% more per video. A 10-minute video with 2-3 mid-rolls commonly earns 2x what the same video would earn at 7 minutes with only pre-rolls.

Can I place mid-roll ads anywhere in my video?

With manual placement, yes — you can position ad breaks anywhere after the 2-minute mark. YouTube recommends placing them at natural content breaks to minimize viewer drop-off.

Does YouTube automatically add mid-roll ads to eligible videos?

If you enable automatic ad placement, YouTube will insert mid-rolls where it predicts viewer retention will remain highest. You can override this with manual placement or disable specific break points.

Guide

youtube mid-roll adsmonetizationyoutube eligibility8 minutesyoutube 2026

YouTube Mid-Roll Ads Eligibility 2026: The 8-Minute Minimum Explained

YouTube mid-roll ads in 2026 require your video to be at least 8 minutes long. Videos under 8 minutes can only run pre-roll and post-roll ads. This eligibility threshold is a critical milestone for monetized creators — mid-rolls can increase RPM by 40-100% compared to pre-roll-only videos. Here is everything you need to know to qualify and enable them.

Last updated: February 27, 2026

Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube Mid-Roll Ads Eligibility: The 8-Minute Minimum

As of 2026, YouTube requires videos to be a minimum of 8 minutes long to be eligible for mid-roll ads. This has been the standard since YouTube changed the threshold from 10 minutes to 8 minutes. Videos that are 7:59 or shorter can only display pre-roll ads (before the video) and post-roll ads (after the video). Only videos at 8:00 or longer can have ads inserted during playback. You must also be a YouTube Partner Program (YPP) member to run any ads, including mid-rolls.

Why Mid-Roll Ads Eligibility Matters for RPM

Mid-roll ads dramatically increase earnings per video. A 10-minute video with three mid-roll placements can earn 2-4x more than the same video at 7 minutes with only pre-roll ads. This is because each mid-roll ad break is counted as a separate ad impression, and mid-roll completion rates are typically higher than pre-roll (since the viewer is already invested in the content). For creators in high-CPM niches like finance, tech, or business, a single mid-roll in a video can add $0.50-$5.00 per 1,000 views on top of pre-roll earnings.

Who Qualifies for Mid-Roll Ads in 2026

To run mid-roll ads on YouTube in 2026, you need: (1) Active YouTube Partner Program membership (1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours or 10M Shorts views in 90 days), (2) Videos that are 8 minutes or longer, and (3) Content that complies with YouTube's advertiser-friendly content guidelines. Channels must also be in good standing with no active community guideline strikes. If all three conditions are met, YouTube will automatically offer mid-roll ad placement when you upload or edit a video 8+ minutes long.

How to Check and Enable Mid-Roll Ads

In YouTube Studio, go to Content > select your video > Monetization tab. If your video is 8+ minutes and your channel is in YPP, you will see an option for 'During video' ads alongside pre-roll and post-roll options. You can set mid-rolls to automatic placement (YouTube chooses break points) or manual placement (you choose exactly where each ad break appears). Manual placement gives you control over ad density and helps avoid placing ads at awkward moments. For videos just over 8 minutes, 1-2 mid-roll placements is standard. For 15+ minute videos, 3-5 placements is typical.

Pro Tips

Structure 8-12 minute videos with clear sections so mid-roll breaks feel natural rather than disruptive
Avoid placing mid-roll ads in the first 2 minutes or last 2 minutes of your video — these placements have lower completion rates
YouTube's automatic mid-roll placement is often well-optimized; test it against manual placement for a month to compare RPM
Do not artificially pad videos to reach 8 minutes — thin content reduces watch time and hurts overall channel performance more than mid-rolls help