# How much does YouTube pay creators?

URL: https://howinfluencersmakemoney.com/how-much-does-youtube-pay/
Facts checked: 2026-10-21
Independent and unsponsored: no company paid for, reviewed, or approved this page.

YouTube pays Partner Program creators 55% of net long-form ad revenue, 45% of their Shorts pool share, and 70% of memberships, Super Chat and Super Thanks. Ads need 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. From February 1, 2027, new applicants need 8,000 hours or 20 million views.

YouTube pays creators through the YouTube Partner Program, usually called YPP. You earn a fixed share of ad revenue, a share of YouTube Premium subscription money, and a cut of what fans spend on memberships, Super Chat and Shopping. The shares are published. What YouTube does not publish is a rate per view, so that part of this page relies on named third-party estimates.

The rules are about to change. On August 10, 2026, YouTube announced the first big rewrite of YPP since 2018, with tougher entry thresholds for new channels and a monthly Shorts test, all starting February 1, 2027. This page covers the rules in force today and what changes next.

## The numbers

- Long-form ads pay creators 55% of net revenue. Shorts pay 45% of the revenue YouTube allocates to you from a monthly pool.
- Memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks pay 70% of net revenue.
- Fan funding opens at 500 subscribers. Ad revenue needs 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views.
- From February 1, 2027, new channels need 8,000 watch hours in 365 days or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days to earn from ads.
- AIR Media-Tech's estimate from 300 channels, May 2025 to May 2026, puts the median long-form RPM at about $2.30 per 1,000 views.

## Who can join the YouTube Partner Program?

YouTube has two ways into YPP, and both end in a channel review that YouTube says takes about a month. The lower bar opens fan funding and Shopping. The higher bar adds a share of ad and Premium revenue.

Only public long-form watch hours and Shorts Feed views count, and Shorts watch time does not count toward the 4,000 hours. You also need to live in a supported country, have no active Community Guidelines strikes, turn on 2-Step Verification, and link one AdSense for YouTube account.

If YouTube turns you down, you can appeal within 21 days or reapply after 30 days. After a second rejection the wait is 90 days. Since July 15, 2025, YouTube's monetization policy labels mass-produced and repetitive uploads as inauthentic content, and that content cannot earn.

Join the 500-subscriber tier the day you qualify. Memberships and Super Thanks pay 70%, and turning them on early costs you nothing.

YouTube Partner Program entry thresholds, October 2026

| Tier | Subscribers | Activity needed | What you can earn |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fan funding and Shopping | 500 | 3 public uploads in 90 days, plus 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days | Memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, Jewels and gifts, Shopping |
| Full YPP | 1,000 | 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days | All of the above plus watch page ads, Shorts Feed ads and YouTube Premium revenue |

## What changes on February 1, 2027?

New channels will need twice the watch time to earn from ads starting February 1, 2027. YouTube's help center sets the new bar at 1,000 subscribers plus 8,000 qualified watch hours in the last 365 days, or 20 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days. The 500-subscriber fan funding and Shopping tier does not change.

Channels already in YPP keep their status. They must still accept the updated terms in YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027. A partner who has not accepted stays in the program but stops earning from the affected features on February 1 until they sign.

Shorts pay gets a monthly test. To earn from the Shorts Creator Pool and Shorts Premium revenue in a given month, a channel needs 10 million qualified Shorts views over the last 90 days. A channel below that line stays in YPP and keeps its long-form earnings, and Shorts pay resumes once it crosses 10 million again.

The squeeze lands on small, Shorts-first channels. At the AIR Media-Tech Shorts estimates below, 10 million Shorts views over 90 days is worth roughly $700 to $2,000 from the pool. Long-form channels that already earn from ads lose nothing.

YouTube also defines an active channel from February 2027. A channel counts as active if it meets any one of these tests:

- 1,000 qualified watch hours in the past 365 days.
- 1 million qualified Shorts views in the last 90 days.
- 2 long-form videos or 5 Shorts uploaded every 90 days.

## How much of the ad revenue does YouTube share?

YouTube pays creators 55% of net revenue from ads on their long-form videos and keeps 45%. Shorts work differently. YouTube pools all Shorts Feed ad revenue each month, takes out music licensing costs, and then pays each creator 45% of the slice their engaged views earned.

Music cuts into Shorts pay. A Short with one licensed track sends half of its revenue to the Creator Pool and half to music licensing. A Short with two tracks sends one third to the pool. A Short with no music sends all of it.

Premium subscribers pay YouTube instead of watching ads, and creators share that money too. YouTube's August 2026 announcement describes a creator pool of 30% of net Premium revenue and 60% of net Premium Lite revenue, divided by member watch time and views, with creators keeping 55% on long-form and 45% on Shorts. YouTube says partners earned more on average from a Premium member than from an ad-supported viewer in 2026.

One more Shorts change starts February 1, 2027. Shorts ads targeted at five or fewer channels will pay the creator 45% of that ad's net revenue directly.

What YouTube pays partners, by revenue stream, October 2026

| Revenue stream | Creator share | How it is calculated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Long-form watch page ads | 55% | Net revenue from ads on your public videos |
| Shorts Feed ads | 45% | Revenue allocated to you from the Creator Pool by your share of engaged views |
| YouTube Premium, long-form | 55% | Your slice of the Premium pool by member watch time |
| YouTube Premium, Shorts | 45% | Net Premium revenue allocated to Shorts by views |
| Channel memberships | 70% | Net revenue after taxes and fees |
| Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks | 70% | Net revenue |
| Jewels and gifts on live streams | $0.01 per Ruby | 2 Jewels redeemed for gifts earn 1 Ruby |
| Shopping affiliate commissions | Set by the brand | A temporary incentive passes 100% of merchant commissions to creators |

## How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?

YouTube publishes no rate per view, so per-view pay comes from third-party estimates. AIR Media-Tech measured a median RPM of about $2.30 per 1,000 views across 300 channels it works with, using YouTube Studio data from May 2025 to May 2026. RPM is what the creator receives after YouTube's cut.

Niche moved the number more than anything else in AIR's data, and the gap inside a niche was wide too. The table shows AIR's medians and the range covering the middle half of channels. AIR marks Business & Finance as directional because it had fewer than ten channels in the sample.

Shorts pay a fraction of long-form. AIR Media-Tech's study of 274 channels, last updated September 16, 2026, puts most niches between $0.07 and $0.20 per 1,000 Shorts views, which is 3% to 14% of the same niche's long-form RPM. Music is the exception because of Content ID revenue. AIR lists the US Shorts RPM at $0.328.

Run the math on those estimates and the difference is stark. One million long-form views at the $2.30 median pays about $2,300. One million Shorts views at $0.07 to $0.20 pays $70 to $200. If you want ad income, make long videos for an audience advertisers pay to reach, and treat Shorts as a way to find viewers.

Median long-form RPM by niche, AIR Media-Tech estimate, May 2025 to May 2026

| Niche | Median RPM | Middle half of channels |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Education & Science | $10.22 | $2.31 to $19.50 |
| Lifestyle | $2.98 | $1.77 to $5.24 |
| Entertainment | $2.43 | $0.88 to $5.02 |
| Gadgets & Tech | $2.33 | $0.70 to $3.71 |
| Music | $2.28 | $1.35 to $4.16 |
| Gaming | $2.05 | $0.70 to $3.62 |
| Business & Finance, directional | $2.01 | $0.73 to $5.17 |
| Health & Sport | $1.23 | Not published |
| Kids & Teens | $0.33 | Not published |

## How much do memberships and Super Chat pay?

YouTube pays creators 70% of net revenue from channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks. Its help center says the 70% is calculated after taxes and fees, and that YouTube currently covers credit card and other transaction costs. For Supers bought on iOS, Apple's App Store fee also comes out before the split. If you belong to a multi-channel network, the network may take part of that 70%.

Seventy percent is fair for money that arrives inside the app, but it is not the best cut available. [Patreon's pricing page](https://www.patreon.com/pricing) lists a 10% platform fee plus payment processing and payout fees. YouTube memberships win on convenience because fans pay without leaving the video. An outside membership wins on margin and gives you the member list.

Our guide on [how to sell to your fans](https://howinfluencersmakemoney.com/how-to-sell-to-your-fans/) compares those options, and the [Creator Pay Index](https://howinfluencersmakemoney.com/payouts/) lists the share each platform lets you keep. YouTube also offers Jewels and gifts on live streams at the 500-subscriber tier. Every 2 Jewels a viewer redeems for gifts earn you 1 Ruby, and YouTube's Virtual Items policy pays $0.01 per Ruby with your other Partner Program earnings. YouTube gives that rate per Ruby, not as a share of what viewers pay for Jewels.

## Can you earn from YouTube Shopping?

Yes, if YouTube invites you to its Shopping affiliate program. You must be in YPP, meet the YPP subscriber threshold, and live in one of 14 countries, including the United States, Brazil, India, Japan, Korea and Mexico. YouTube announced on March 25, 2026 that Shopping affiliate access now starts at 500 subscribers.

Music channels, Official Artist Channels and channels set as Made for Kids cannot join. Brands set their own commission rates and attribution windows. For now, a temporary incentive passes 100% of affiliate merchant commissions to creators, and YouTube says it will give at least 30 days' notice before that ends.

Commissions arrive through AdSense for YouTube 60 to 120 days after the purchase, and a return reverses the commission. That delay makes Shopping a poor fit if you need cash this month. For how YouTube's affiliate tools compare with outside programs, read [affiliate marketing for influencers](https://howinfluencersmakemoney.com/affiliate-marketing-for-influencers/).

## When does YouTube pay you?

YouTube pays once a month through AdSense for YouTube, between the 21st and 26th, once your balance reaches the payment threshold. In the US that threshold is $100. Last month's finalized earnings post to your AdSense balance between the 7th and 12th.

A payment also needs no holds on the account, US tax info on file, and monetization that is switched on. AdSense asks you to verify your address once your balance reaches $10. If you run separate AdSense and YouTube payment accounts, each one has to reach the threshold on its own.

Ad revenue is rarely the biggest check for a mid-size channel. Price one sponsorship before you plan around RPM. Our guides on [how to get brand deals](https://howinfluencersmakemoney.com/how-to-get-brand-deals/) and [how much to charge for sponsored posts](https://howinfluencersmakemoney.com/how-much-to-charge-for-sponsored-posts/) cover that side.

## Questions people ask

### How many subscribers do you need to get paid on YouTube?

You need 500 subscribers to earn from memberships, Super Chat and Shopping, plus 3 public uploads in 90 days and either 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days. Ad revenue needs 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views. From February 1, 2027, new applicants need 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views.

### How much does YouTube pay for 1 million views?

YouTube does not publish a rate. AIR Media-Tech's estimate from 300 channels, May 2025 to May 2026, puts the median long-form RPM at about $2.30, which works out to roughly $2,300 per million views. Niche matters most, with Education & Science at a $10.22 median and Kids & Teens at $0.33.

### Does YouTube pay for Shorts?

Yes. Partners get 45% of the Shorts ad revenue allocated to them from a monthly pool, after music licensing costs come out. AIR Media-Tech's 2026 estimate puts most niches at $0.07 to $0.20 per 1,000 Shorts views. From February 2027, you need 10 million qualified Shorts views in 90 days to earn from the pool each month.

### How much does YouTube take from memberships and Super Chat?

YouTube keeps 30%. Creators get 70% of net revenue after taxes and fees, and YouTube currently covers card processing costs. A multi-channel network can take part of your share.

### When does YouTube pay creators?

Monthly, between the 21st and 26th, for the previous month's earnings. Your AdSense for YouTube balance must reach the $100 US payment threshold, with tax info on file and no payment holds.

### Will the 2027 changes remove my channel from YPP?

No. YouTube says creators already in YPP keep their status. You must accept the new terms in YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027, or you stop earning from the affected features until you do. Shorts pool earnings will also need 10 million qualified Shorts views per 90 days.

## Sources

- YouTube Help: YouTube Partner Program overview and eligibility: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72851 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: Overview of the expanded YouTube Partner Program: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/13429240 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: Changes to the YouTube Partner Program: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/12843009 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Blog: New opportunities to earn and changes to the YouTube Partner Program, August 10, 2026: https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/youtube-partner-program-updates-2027-new-opportunities-earn/ (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: YouTube partner earnings overview: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72902 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: YouTube Shorts monetization policies: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/12504220 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: Analyze and manage your channel memberships program: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/7491256 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: YouTube channel monetization policies: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1311392 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: YouTube Shopping affiliate program overview and eligibility: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/13376398 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Blog: Expanding YouTube Shopping to creators with 500+ subscribers, March 25, 2026: https://blog.youtube/creator-and-artist-stories/youtube-shopping-expansion-500-subscribers/ (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Google AdSense Help: Payment thresholds: https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/1709871 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Google AdSense Help: Payment timelines for AdSense for YouTube: https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/7164703 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: Super Chat and Super Stickers: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/7288782 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- AIR Media-Tech: YouTube RPM in 2026, real data from 300 channels: https://air.io/en/air-data-findings/how-much-does-youtube-really-pay-in-2026-real-rpm-data-from-300-channels (accessed 2026-10-21)
- AIR Media-Tech: YouTube Shorts RPM vs long-form, data from 274 channels: https://air.io/en/air-data-findings/youtube-shorts-rpm-vs-long-form-how-much-do-shorts-earn-in-2026 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- Patreon pricing: https://www.patreon.com/pricing (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: Virtual Items program policies for creators: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/15427201 (accessed 2026-10-21)
- YouTube Help: Turn on and manage gifts, powered by Jewels: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/15534883 (accessed 2026-10-21)