The eligibility of short-form video content for inclusion in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) requires careful consideration. A core metric for YPP qualification is the accumulation of public watch hours. However, views gained from the Shorts feed are treated differently than those derived from standard long-form videos. Specifically, watch time accrued from viewing short-form content within the dedicated Shorts feed does not contribute to the required 4,000 watch hours needed for YPP eligibility. For example, if a channel receives a million views on Shorts, generating thousands of hours of viewing time solely from the Shorts feed, none of that accumulated time will be applied towards the YPP watch hour threshold.
The distinction in how short-form content watch time is treated stems from its primary consumption method. Shorts are designed for quick, casual viewing within a specific interface, differing significantly from the engagement patterns associated with longer videos. This delineation affects creators seeking to monetize their channels. Channels must achieve the required watch hours from standard video content in addition to acquiring 1,000 subscribers or attain 10 million Shorts views to be eligible. Understanding this distinction is critical for content strategy and monetization planning. Since shorts content offers a different avenue for monetization through views alone.
