YouTube Partner Program 2025 Requirements Explained (What You Need to Know to Start Earning)

So, you want to make money on YouTube in 2025?

You're not alone. In fact, thousands of creators from all over the world are waking up to the same dream—turning passion into profit, one video at a time. But let me be real with you: it’s not as easy as it used to be.

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) has changed. Again.

And if you're serious about joining in 2025, then you need to know exactly what you're signing up for. So grab your favorite drink, lean in, and let’s break it all down—without the fluff, without the corporate talk.

Just me and you.

Let’s go.

🎯 What Is the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)?

Before we jump into requirements, let’s make sure we’re on the same page.

The YouTube Partner Program is YouTube’s official monetization system. Once you’re accepted, you can start making money from:

Ads (Google AdSense)
Channel memberships
Super chats
YouTube Premium revenue
Merch shelf (if eligible)
YouTube Shopping (2025 update)

In other words, YPP is your gateway to turning your content into cash.

But not everyone gets in.

YouTube wants to protect advertisers—and viewers—from low-quality or risky content. That’s why there are rules. And in 2025, those rules just got a little tighter and smarter.

✅ YouTube Partner Program 2025 Requirements: The Basics

To join the YouTube Partner Program in 2025, here’s what you need:

🧩 Option 1: The Standard Path

1,000 subscribers
4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months

🧩 Option 2: The Shorts Path

1,000 subscribers
10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days

Let’s unpack that.

🚀 What Are “Valid Public Watch Hours”?

These are hours watched on your public videos. So:

Private videos? ❌
Unlisted videos? ❌
Deleted videos? ❌
YouTube Shorts? ❌ (for this path)

Only public, long-form videos (usually 1 minute+) count here.

If you’re a traditional YouTuber making 5–10 minute videos, this is your route.

🎬 What Are “Valid Shorts Views”?

If you’re going the Shorts route, then YouTube wants to see 10 million public Shorts views in 90 days. That’s about 111,111 views per day on average.

It’s tough. But with one viral video, this could happen in a weekend.

🔐 New in 2025: Extra Eligibility Layers

Now here’s where it gets real.

YouTube has added more eligibility checks in 2025 to fight spam, low-quality content, and duplication.

Here’s what you need to pass:

1. 2-Step Verification Must Be Turned On

This is for security. YouTube won’t accept you without it.

👉 Go to your Google account > Security > Enable 2-Step Verification.

2. No Community Guideline Strikes

One strike = you’re disqualified until it's resolved.

Be careful. YouTube is serious about misinformation, harmful content, and clickbait.

3. Content Must Follow Monetization Policies

These include:

Ad-friendly guidelines
Copyright compliance
Original content rules

💡 You can't just repost TikTok videos or download and re-upload other people's content.

Even compilations now need transformative editing, commentary, or added value.

🧠 Pro Tip: Build BEFORE You Apply

Here’s a Natt Giaro–style truth bomb:

Don’t wait until you hit the numbers to start preparing.
Start acting like a partner today—before YouTube invites you to the party.

Why?

Because the YPP team manually reviews your channel. If they don’t like what they see—bad thumbnails, unclear value, repetitive content—you’ll get rejected.

💸 How You Make Money in YPP (2025 Edition)

Once you’re in, here’s how you get paid:

1. Ad Revenue

This is still the #1 way creators make money. Ads play on your videos, and you split the revenue with YouTube (usually 55/45).

But here’s the catch: CPM (cost per 1,000 views) varies by niche and country.

Finance? High CPM.
Gaming or comedy? Lower CPM.
Uganda or India? Lower CPM.
USA or Canada? Higher CPM.

Choose your niche wisely.

2. Shorts Fund Replacement: Shorts Ads Revenue Share

Instead of the old Shorts fund, YouTube now shares ad revenue from Shorts.

As of 2025:

You get 45% of revenue
Based on total views across eligible Shorts
Sounds fair—but it’s volume-based. You need serious numbers to make good money.

3. Channel Memberships

Once in YPP, you can enable channel memberships. Fans pay monthly to get exclusive perks like badges, emojis, or bonus videos.

Perfect for tight-knit audiences.

4. Super Thanks, Super Chats, Super Stickers

Live streamers, this is your goldmine.

Fans can donate in real-time while chatting. YouTube takes a cut, but this can seriously stack up if you’re engaging and consistent.

5. YouTube Premium Revenue

When Premium users watch your content, you get a slice of their subscription. Passive income at its finest.

6. YouTube Shopping & Merch Shelf

This is booming in 2025. YouTube is pushing creators to sell more:

Print-on-demand merch
Physical or digital products
Affiliate links (via integrated shopping)

You need a connected store and eligible content.

⚠️ What Gets You Rejected From YPP?

Let’s be blunt.

Many creators hit the numbers but still get rejected.

Here’s why:

Reused content (reposting clips from TikTok, TV, or others without commentary or transformation)
Low engagement signals (spammy uploads, clickbait, low watch time)
Violation history (copyright claims, strikes, spam reports)
Mass-produced or AI content without originality

Yup. Even AI content is under review now.

If you use AI tools (like me), you still need to add human creativity—like this blog post.

📅 How Long Does YPP Approval Take?

On average:

2–4 weeks after you apply.

But some get approved in days. Others wait for a month.

✅ If accepted: You’ll get an email and access to monetization features in your dashboard.

❌ If rejected: You must wait 30 days before reapplying—and fix the issue in the meantime.

🎓 How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Approved

Let’s talk strategy. Here’s your checklist to boost your odds:

1. Create Original Content

Add personality. Share your story. Be you. That’s your superpower.

2. Post Consistently

Even once a week works. YouTube loves consistency over bursts.

3. Engage With Viewers

Reply to comments. Add community posts. Show that you care.

4. Use Custom Thumbnails

Professional, branded, clean thumbnails = higher click-through rates.

5. Follow SEO Basics

Yes, even on YouTube. Use keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags.

Want an example?

If your niche is fitness for moms, try:

“10-Minute Morning Workout for Busy Moms”
“How I Lost Baby Weight in 3 Months (No Gym)”

Be clear. Be specific.

📈 What Happens After You Get Monetized?

Don’t stop.

Getting monetized is not the finish line—it’s the beginning.

You’ll now be judged by YouTube's monetization standards every time you post. One copyright mistake? One violation? You could lose access.

Keep grinding. Keep learning. Keep evolving.

🔍 BONUS: What If You Don't Qualify Yet?

Here’s some hope:

Even if you’re not yet eligible for YPP, you can still make money in 2025. Here’s how:

✅ Affiliate Marketing

Promote products you love and earn commission. You don’t need YPP for this.

Try:

Amazon Associates
ClickBank
Digistore24
Impact.com

✅ Sell Digital Products

eBooks, courses, presets, templates, guides.

Use Gumroad, Payhip, or Ko-fi. Then link in your video descriptions.

✅ Offer Coaching or Services

Use YouTube as your stage. Offer consulting, editing, writing, design—whatever your skill is.

YouTube is your free portfolio.

💬 Final Thoughts: Is YPP Worth It in 2025?

Yes—if you treat YouTube like a business.

Don’t chase overnight virality. Build a brand. Solve a problem. Create value.

And when you finally reach those 1,000 subscribers or 10 million Shorts views, the door to the YouTube Partner Program will swing wide open.

But remember this:

The creators who win in 2025 are not the loudest.
They’re the ones who stay consistent, stay human, and stay real.

You’ve got this.

Let’s make this the year you finally monetize your mission.

🔔 Over to You

Have you applied for the YouTube Partner Program yet? Are you close to meeting the requirements? Or are you just starting your journey?

Drop a comment below. I read everything.

And if this guide helped you, share it with a friend who needs it.

To your success,
— Mukisa Bartholomew

Tags: YouTube Partner Program 2025, How to Get Monetized on YouTube, YouTube Monetization Requirements, YPP Tips, Make Money on YouTube, YouTube Shorts Monetization, Natt Giaro Style Blogging