What the 500-subscriber tier gets you, and what it doesn't
It gets you the fan-funding tools: channel memberships, Super Thanks, Super Chat and Super Stickers, where viewers pay you and YouTube keeps a share, plus YouTube Shopping, where sales go through the store you connect. What it doesn't get you is a share of ad revenue. That opens once the channel reaches 1,000 subscribers and the higher watch-hours or Shorts-views bar.
It also isn't everywhere. YouTube rolled the lower tier out to a shorter list of countries than the full program, so check YouTube's list for the expanded program before planning around it. The full-program list is in our country lookup.
The 2027 change leaves this tier alone
From 1 February 2027, new applicants for ad revenue need twice the activity: 8,000 watch hours in 12 months or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days, still with 1,000 subscribers. The 500-subscriber tier keeps its current requirements, which makes it a more useful stepping stone than before. The full requirements compare the two rule sets side by side.
Questions about monetizing under 1,000 subscribers
- Can you make money on YouTube with 500 subscribers?
- Yes, in countries where YouTube has rolled out the expanded Partner Program. At 500 subscribers, with 3 public uploads in the last 90 days and either 3,000 watch hours in 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days, you can apply for memberships, Super Thanks, Super Chat and Shopping. Ad revenue still needs 1,000 subscribers.
- Do you get paid for views before 1,000 subscribers?
- Not from ads. YouTube can show ads on videos from channels outside the Partner Program, but it keeps that revenue. Your share of ad money starts only once you're accepted into the ad-revenue tier.
- Is the 500-subscriber tier available in every country?
- No. It's limited to the countries on YouTube's list for the expanded Partner Program, which is shorter than the list for the full program. Check YouTube's page before counting on it.
- Does the 2027 change affect the 500-subscriber tier?
- No. From 1 February 2027, new applicants for the ad-revenue tier need twice the activity: 8,000 watch hours in 12 months or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days, still with 1,000 subscribers. The 500-subscriber tier keeps its current requirements.
- How can I tell if a small channel is already monetized?
- A Join button on a channel with under 1,000 subscribers means it's in the Partner Program, because memberships are a Partner Program feature. Paste the channel into our checker to see that and the other public signals.