YouTube is raising the bar for new creators who want to earn advertising and YouTube Premium revenue, with the new requirements taking effect on February 1, 2027. New applicants to the YouTube Partner Program will need 1,000 subscribers and either 8,000 qualified public watch hours during the previous 365 days or 20 million qualified Shorts views within 90 days. That means the current 4,000 hour requirement for long form videos and 10 million Shorts view requirement will both double.
For content creators in Cambodia, the change could make YouTube monetization more difficult, particularly for new channels that are still building audiences. Creators who are already part of the YouTube Partner Program will not be affected by the higher entry requirements, although they will need to accept the updated terms by January 31, 2027.
YouTube Is Doubling The Main Monetization Requirements
Starting February 1, 2027, new creators seeking advertising and YouTube Premium revenue sharing will need 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 qualified public watch hours in the previous year or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the previous 90 days. The subscriber requirement remains at 1,000, but both performance requirements have doubled from the current levels.
YouTube says the change is designed to reflect the platform’s continued growth. The company says YouTube now receives more than 200 billion Shorts views every day and more than one billion hours of watch time on television screens each day.
Existing YouTube Partners Are Protected From The Higher Entry Bar
The higher requirements are mainly aimed at new applicants seeking the top monetization tier. Creators already inside the YouTube Partner Program will keep their access, provided they accept the updated terms through YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027.
YouTube’s lower tier for fan funding and shopping will also remain unchanged. Creators can still qualify with 500 subscribers, three public uploads within 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views. This tier provides access to features such as Super Thanks, channel memberships and YouTube Shopping.
Shorts Creators Face Another Important Change
Shorts creators will also need to pay close attention to a separate requirement. Beginning February 1, 2027, creators must maintain 10 million qualified Shorts views over a rolling 90 day period to receive advertising and subscription revenue from Shorts.
If a channel falls below that level, it will remain in the YouTube Partner Program and can continue earning from eligible long form content. Shorts revenue sharing will resume automatically once the channel reaches the 10 million view threshold again.
This could be particularly challenging for creators who depend heavily on viral Shorts. Reaching a large number of views once may not be enough. Creators will need to consistently produce content that attracts substantial audiences over time.
What Does The Change Mean For Content Creators In Cambodia?
For Cambodian creators who have not yet reached YouTube monetization, the biggest concern is the much longer journey toward advertising revenue. A creator who was previously working toward 4,000 watch hours will now need to reach 8,000 hours to qualify for the main advertising and Premium revenue sharing tier. Shorts creators face a similar challenge because the qualifying threshold rises from 10 million to 20 million views for new applicants.
This could put greater pressure on creators to focus on original, consistent and audience driven content instead of simply producing a large volume of videos. For Cambodian creators, building a clearly defined audience around topics such as tourism, food, business, education, entertainment, technology or Cambodian culture could become increasingly important as competition for attention grows.
The higher threshold also means creators may need to think beyond AdSense. YouTube says it plans to introduce additional incentives for smaller channels, including YouTube Shopping bonuses, brand deal incentives and earnings boosts connected to trends.
For creators in Cambodia, this could create an opportunity to build alternative income streams through sponsorships, brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, YouTube Shopping and direct commercial collaborations rather than depending entirely on advertising revenue.
Original Content And Consistency Matter More
The new environment could also make content quality and originality increasingly important. YouTube says its updated programs are intended to reward creators who generate growth, engagement and conversation on the platform.
For Cambodian creators, this means building a recognizable content identity could be more valuable than simply chasing individual viral videos. A channel that consistently serves a specific audience may have a stronger foundation for long term growth, sponsorship opportunities and other forms of monetization.
Creators should also pay attention to activity requirements. Existing partners are expected to maintain activity through watch hours, Shorts views or regular publishing, including at least two long form videos or five Shorts within a 90 day period under the requirements outlined in the announcement.
YouTube Is Expanding Other Ways For Creators To Earn
YouTube says the higher entry requirements will allow it to invest more in other creator incentives rather than relying entirely on advertising revenue. These include bonuses related to YouTube Shopping, brand deals and trends for channels that remain below the 10 million Shorts view threshold.
The platform is also expanding Premium Lite to countries where YouTube Premium is available. According to YouTube, creators receive revenue from subscription pools based on member watch time and views, with a 55 percent share for long form videos and 45 percent for Shorts.
YouTube says the broader subscription base could also benefit creators because partners, on average, earn more when users watch through Premium than when they watch advertisements.
The Creator Economy Is Becoming More Competitive
The scale of YouTube’s creator economy helps explain why these changes matter. YouTube says it has paid more than $100 billion to creators, artists and media companies over the past four years, while millions of channels participate in its Partner Program.
For new Cambodian creators, the message is clear: reaching the monetization threshold may take longer, and building a sustainable channel will require more than simply collecting subscribers. Strong audience retention, consistent publishing, original content and multiple revenue streams could become increasingly important.
What Should Cambodian Creators Do Now?
Creators who are already close to the current monetization requirements should pay attention to the February 1, 2027 deadline and their eligibility status. Those who have not yet qualified should consider the new 8,000 hour and 20 million Shorts view targets when planning their content strategy.
Instead of relying exclusively on YouTube advertising, Cambodian creators can also consider building relationships with local businesses, tourism companies, technology brands, education providers and other organizations that may be interested in reaching their audiences.
The most important shift may therefore be strategic. YouTube monetization should be viewed as one part of a broader creator business rather than the only source of income.
Conclusion
YouTube’s decision to double the main monetization performance thresholds creates a tougher road for new creators, including those in Cambodia. From February 1, 2027, new applicants will need 1,000 subscribers plus either 8,000 qualified watch hours or 20 million qualified Shorts views to access advertising and YouTube Premium revenue sharing.
The change does not necessarily mean fewer opportunities for Cambodian creators. Instead, it signals a shift toward stronger audiences, original content, consistent engagement and diversified creator businesses. For those willing to build beyond AdSense and develop valuable audiences, YouTube could still offer significant opportunities even with a higher monetization bar.