Monetization requirements by platform (November 2026)
| Program | What you need |
|---|---|
| YouTube, fan funding tier | 500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in 90 days, and 3,000 public watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days |
| YouTube, ad revenue (now) | 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days |
| YouTube, ad revenue (from Feb 1, 2027) | 1,000 subscribers and 8,000 watch hours in 365 days or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days, for new applicants |
| TikTok Creator Rewards | 10,000 followers, 100,000 views in the last 30 days, 18+, original videos over 1 minute, an eligible country |
| Twitch Affiliate | 25 followers, 4 hours streamed on 4 different days, 3 average viewers, in 30 days |
| Twitch Partner | Path to Partner: 75 average viewers, 25 hours streamed on 12 different days in 30 days, then a manual review |
| Kick Streamer | 5 hours streamed in total |
| Kick Verified | In 30 days: 15 hours streamed, 50 average viewers, 100 unique chatters, 10 active subs |
| Kick Partner | Verified, 250 followers, and in 30 days: 75 average viewers, 30 hours, 25 active subs, 250 unique chatters, 3 VODs |
| Facebook Stars | 500 followers for 30 days in a row, 18+ |
| Facebook Content Monetization | Invite-only |
Example: a YouTube channel with 800 subscribers, 3,500 watch hours and 5 recent uploads qualifies for the 500-subscriber tier today (fan funding and Shopping). For ad revenue it's 80% of the way: 200 more subscribers and 500 more watch hours. If it applies after February 1, 2027, it will need 4,500 more hours instead, because the bar doubles to 8,000.
Tips for each bar
- Watch hours and Shorts views don't combine on YouTube: you qualify on one path or the other. Shorts watch time doesn't count toward watch hours, and neither do private, unlisted or deleted videos.
- Twitch and Kick average viewers are averaged over every minute you're live, so long streams with few viewers pull the average down. Shorter, consistent streams usually reach the bar sooner.
- TikTok only pays on videos over 1 minute, and only on "qualified" views, so the payout is usually well below raw views × RPM. See the TikTok money calculator.
- Platforms change these bars; your creator dashboard always shows the live requirements for your account.
Frequently asked questions
How many watch hours do you need on YouTube in 2027?
New applicants for ad revenue from February 1, 2027 need 8,000 qualified watch hours in 365 days (or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days) plus 1,000 subscribers. Until then it's 4,000 hours or 10 million Shorts views.
How many followers do you need to get paid on TikTok?
10,000 followers plus 100,000 views in the last 30 days for the Creator Rewards Program, and only videos longer than 1 minute earn.
What are the Twitch Affiliate requirements now?
25 followers, 4 hours streamed on 4 different days, and an average of 3 viewers, within 30 days. Twitch lowered them from 50 followers and 8 hours.
Do Shorts views count toward YouTube watch hours?
No. Shorts have their own path (views in 90 days), and the two never add together.
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Sources
- YouTube Help: YouTube Partner Program overview and eligibility
- 9to5Google: YouTube raises Partner Program requirements from February 1, 2027 (Aug 10, 2026)
- Stack Influence: TikTok monetization paths, citing TikTok Creator Academy (2026)
- Tubefilter: Twitch Affiliate requirements lowered (25 followers, 4 hours, 4 days, 3 viewers)
- StreamScheme: Twitch Partner requirements
- Space Node: Kick Streamer, Verified and Partner requirements (2026)
- Buffer: How to make money on Facebook in 2026 (Stars, Content Monetization)