To monetize your YouTube channel through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), you must meet one of two watch hour thresholds as of 2025:
- 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months
OR - 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days
In addition to watch time, your channel must also have:
- At least 1,000 subscribers
- No community guideline strikes or policy violations
- Two-step verification enabled
Reaching these milestones unlocks monetization features like ad revenue, channel memberships, Super Thanks, and more.
What Counts Toward YouTube Watch Time?
Not every second someone watches your content adds to your monetization progress. Only eligible watch time from public, long-form videos counts toward the 4,000-hour requirement.
Here’s what counts:
- Views from public videos
- Watch time from playlists
- Livestream views (if left public after streaming)
- Organic or promoted traffic (as long as the videos are public)
Here’s what doesn’t count:
- Watch time from YouTube Shorts
- Views on private, unlisted, or deleted videos
- Ad views without corresponding watch time
- Embedded video plays on private sites (if set to unlisted)
Consistency and video length matter—longer videos with high engagement help you accumulate hours faster.
How to Check Your Current Watch Hours on YouTube Studio
You can easily track your watch time progress through YouTube Studio:
- Log in to YouTube Studio
- In the left menu, click “Monetization”
- Under the “Earn” tab, you’ll see your watch hour and subscriber progress
- Click “See details” to view breakdowns by video and date range
This section updates in near real-time and shows how close you are to qualifying for monetization. Watching your growth here can help you adjust your strategy as needed.
Top Strategies to Increase Public Watch Hours on YouTube
Reaching 4,000 watch hours isn’t just about uploading more videos—it’s about strategically increasing viewer retention and engagement. Here are the most effective strategies:
- Create longer videos: Aim for 8–15 minute videos to maximize potential watch time
- Use playlists: Group related videos to encourage binge-watching
- Optimize thumbnails and titles to increase CTR (Click-Through Rate)
- Hook viewers early: The first 15 seconds determine whether they stay
- Ask for engagement: Comments and likes often signal quality to the algorithm
- Use end screens and cards to lead viewers to more of your content
- Analyze audience retention reports to fix drop-off points
Focusing on session time, not just video length, is key to accelerating your watch hour growth.
How Long Does It Take to Reach 4,000 Watch Hours?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it depends on your content, niche, and consistency. However, here are some rough timelines:
- High-frequency, optimized content (3–5 uploads per week): 3–6 months
- Weekly content with moderate growth: 6–12 months
- Inconsistent posting or low engagement: 12+ months or more
To speed things up:
- Double down on videos that already perform well
- Repurpose blog posts or livestreams into long-form content
- Use YouTube analytics to understand what keeps viewers watching
Growth is often exponential—the closer you get to 4,000, the faster you tend to climb.
Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Watch Time Growth
Many creators stall because of avoidable mistakes. Here are some to watch for:
- Short, low-retention videos
- Clickbait titles or thumbnails that don’t match the content
- Inconsistent posting schedules
- Neglecting your audience retention data
- No clear niche or content focus
- Ending videos abruptly without transitions to other content
- Ignoring viewer feedback and comments
Fixing even one of these can drastically improve your watch time metrics.
Do YouTube Shorts Count Toward Watch Time?
No, YouTube Shorts do not count toward the 4,000 public watch hour requirement for long-form video monetization.
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However, they do count toward the 10 million Shorts views threshold, which is the alternative path to join the YouTube Partner Program.
Still, Shorts can help indirectly by:
- Attracting new subscribers
- Boosting your channel’s visibility
- Warming up audiences for long-form content
Use Shorts as a growth tool, but don’t rely on them alone if your goal is to reach 4,000 watch hours.
What to Do After Reaching 4,000 Watch Hours
Once you’ve reached 4,000 public watch hours and 1,000 subscribers, here’s what to do next:
- Apply for the YouTube Partner Program through YouTube Studio
- Wait for review (usually takes a few days to a few weeks)
- Once approved, turn on monetization for eligible videos
- Set up AdSense to receive payouts
- Start exploring monetization tools: ads, memberships, Super Thanks, and more
- Keep uploading consistently to maintain your watch hours and ad revenue
This is just the beginning—monetization opens the door, but long-term success comes from continuing to grow, adapt, and create high-value content.
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