YouTube Monetization Update 2025: YouTube has officially updated its Partner Program (YPP) policies in July 2025. These new rules are now live, and they impact both new and existing creators. YouTube has revised thresholds, added new monetization tools, and also included important clarity around monetizing Shorts content.
What Counts as “Inauthentic Content”
YouTube clarified that this isn’t a brand-new idea—it’s their old rule getting a sharper edge. They’ve renamed “repetitious” to “inauthentic.” Now they’re saying some videos were always ineligible—they just didn’t enforce it strictly before.
Let’s break that down:
- Mass-produced videos made from templates, AI scripts, or stock clips
- Near-identical uploads over and over
- Faceless narration with no personal touch
Throw in AI slideshows, top-10 countdowns without commentary, and automated clips, and you’re in risk territory.
New YouTube Monetization Eligibility Criteria 2025
Here’s a snapshot of what has changed:
✅ Updated Requirements (Global Rollout):
- 500 subscribers (instead of 1,000 for early access features)
- 3 valid public uploads in last 90 days
- 3,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months OR 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days
💡 Note: This is for early access to features like Super Thanks, Super Chat, Channel Memberships, and Shopping features. Full AdSense revenue sharing still requires 1,000 subs & 4,000 watch hours.
New Monetization Options Introduced
- Tipping via Super Thanks: Even small creators can now activate Super Thanks under relaxed eligibility.
- Shopping Monetization: If you have product links (like merch or Amazon affiliate), you can earn via YouTube Shopping tools.
- Creator Product Tagging: Creators can now tag products in their long-form videos as well — not just Shorts.
YouTube’s Focus Shift: Shorts Monetization Boost
YouTube is going aggressive on Shorts content monetization:
- Shorts creators can earn from ad revenue sharing just like long-form videos.
- Now creators can also tag products in Shorts and earn affiliate commissions.
🧠 Hidden Insight: Creators focusing on Shorts are seeing faster growth under the new algorithm that prioritizes watch-through rate (WTR) and engagement-to-sub ratio.
YouTube Monetization Update 2025: What’s Removed or Downgraded?
YouTube is silently de-emphasizing:
- External affiliate links in video descriptions without proper disclosures
- Reused content: Using third-party edits (such as TikTok reposts) can cause demonetization even if the watermark is removed
💡What no one is telling You – but you need to know
A few things that very few people covered:
- Moving Revenue Splits: YouTube has now shifted where the revenue split splits depend on experience. Shopping affiliate revenue will be 45:55 in favor of creators (better than Shorts ads — where 45:55 is with pool distribution)
- Quiet Regional Testing: Countries like India, Indonesia and Brazil are currently seeing faster approval for monetization — an internal test to promote creator activity.
- Tag-Based Discovery Model: YouTube is testing new “tag discovery algorithm,” favoring creators using consistent topic hashtags (like #TechUpdate, #FinanceNews) in the titles and descriptions.
Final Thoughts
The July 15 rules are live—and they matter. This isn’t about banning AI or creative formats; it’s about keeping creators human at heart. If you’re ready to add your voice, your thinking, and your story—you can thrive. Miss the memo, and your revenue could vanish—old videos and all.
FAQs
Which videos would be deemed inauthentic, now?
Videos that are produced in bulk or repetitive videos, especially if using a template or AI voiceover, and are meant to look automated without personal touch.
Will AI videos automatically be demonetized?
Not necessarily. If you legitimize your commentary or transform it to be personal, you will be able to keep the AI-generated content monetized.
Can you still monetize reaction and clip channels?
Yes, as long as you provide unique insight, not just slapping on clips and rubbish.
Are old videos going to be demonetized?
Yes. YouTube has said they will demonetize entire channels based on their old videos. So it’s better to fix the flagged content and remove it, as soon as possible.
What about Shorts?
Shorts which are monetized are included – YouTube prefers human voice and original input to silence and auto content.
What happens if a channel violates the rule?
They can demonetize the entire channel, not just a video. You can appeal, but that’s not guaranteed.
Will the eligibility thresholds change?
No. You must still reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours (or 10M Shorts views) to monetize.
What is YouTube’s goal?
They want to reward creator’s producing authentic, engaging content and not encourage spammy low-quality ‘content’.
