YouTube Partner Program Requirements in 2026: Complete US Guide

YouTube restructured the Partner Program into two tiers, giving smaller creators earlier access to some monetization features:

Tier 1 — Fan Funding Features
Requirements:
- 500 subscribers
- 3 public uploads in the last 90 days
- Either 3,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months OR 3 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days

What you unlock:
- Super Thanks (viewer tips on videos and Shorts, $2-$50)
- Super Chat and Super Stickers (live stream tips)
- Channel Memberships (monthly subscriptions from viewers)
- Shopping features (product tagging)

Tier 2 — Full Monetization
Requirements:
- 1,000 subscribers
- Either 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months OR 10 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days

What you unlock:
- Everything in Tier 1, plus:
- Ad revenue sharing on long-form videos (55% to creator, 45% to YouTube)
- Ad revenue sharing on Shorts (45% to creator, 55% to YouTube)
- YouTube Premium revenue

Tier 2 is where meaningful income begins, as ad revenue is the primary income source for most creators.

Once you meet the thresholds, here is exactly what to expect:

Step 1: Check eligibility in YouTube Studio
Go to YouTube Studio > Earn. If eligible, you will see an "Apply" button. If not, the page shows your progress toward each threshold.

Step 2: Review and accept terms
You must accept the YouTube Partner Program terms, which include agreeing to YouTube's monetization policies, community guidelines, and terms of service. Read these carefully — violations can result in demonetization.

Step 3: Sign up for Google AdSense
You need an AdSense account linked to your channel to receive payments. If you already have an AdSense account (from a blog, for example), you can link it. Otherwise, create a new one. US creators must provide their legal name, address, and SSN or EIN for tax purposes (W-9).

Step 4: Wait for review
YouTube reviews your channel to ensure it complies with monetization policies. This review typically takes 1-4 weeks but can take up to 30 days during high-volume periods. YouTube checks your most recent and most-viewed content, community guidelines history, and overall channel standing.

Step 5: Receive decision
You will receive an email with approval or rejection. If rejected, YouTube provides the reason, and you can reapply after 30 days once you address the issue.

YouTube rejects a significant percentage of YPP applications. According to creator forums and YouTube's own resources, the most common reasons are:

Reused content: Channels that compile content from other sources (reaction videos that are mostly other creators' content, compilation channels, or channels re-uploading news clips) are frequently rejected. YouTube wants to see original, substantial content.

Repetitious content: Videos that are too similar to each other with minimal variation. This includes channels that produce nearly identical videos with slight topic changes. Each video should provide distinct value.

Misleading metadata: Clickbait titles, misleading thumbnails, or keyword-stuffed descriptions that do not match video content can trigger rejection.

Community Guidelines strikes: Any active strikes on your channel will result in automatic rejection. Strikes from the past that have expired do not count, but a pattern of violations may raise concerns during review.

Artificial traffic: If YouTube detects that views or subscribers were gained through sub4sub exchanges, purchased views, or bot traffic, the application will be rejected. YouTube's systems are sophisticated at detecting artificial engagement.

Insufficient original commentary: For channels using stock footage, AI-generated content, or public domain material, YouTube requires substantial original commentary, narration, or editorial direction. Simply putting stock clips together without meaningful original input may not qualify.

After YPP approval, US creators must complete tax and payment setup through AdSense:

Tax information (required before first payment):
- Submit IRS Form W-9 through your AdSense account
- Provide your legal name (or business name if using an LLC/Corp)
- Provide your Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- If using a business entity, you may need to provide additional documentation

Payment setup:
- Minimum payment threshold: $100 (you must accumulate at least $100 before YouTube issues a payment)
- Payment schedule: Around the 21st of each month for the previous month's earnings
- Payment methods for US creators: Direct deposit (ACH), wire transfer, or check
- Direct deposit (ACH) is recommended — it is fastest (arrives within a few business days) and has no fees

Tax withholding:
- YouTube does not withhold federal or state income taxes for US creators
- You are responsible for paying estimated quarterly taxes if you expect to owe $1,000+ in taxes
- Use IRS Form 1040-ES for quarterly estimated payments (due April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15)
- Keep records of all YouTube income and business expenses for your annual tax return
- YouTube will issue a 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC for earnings over $600/year