YouTube Is Testing a $20 Payment Threshold (Down From $100)
YouTube is testing a lower payment threshold, dropping it from $100 to $20 for select creators in the U.S., India, and Indonesia. Here’s who’s included, why YouTube is making the change, and why AdSense shouldn’t be your only revenue stream.
It's a great feeling when you've met the requirements for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). You apply for the YPP, get accepted, and... you're monetized.
All the ads in your videos are now making you money.
At least, that's what you hope.
Not every niche is paid the same RPM. For example, a gaming video might not be paid as much as an educational video.
There's a reason a lot of creators say "adcents" when they're talking about AdSense. And when you're getting paid .50 cents per 1,000 views or however many for your niche, the payment threshold of $100 looks steep.
I understand the feeling to a certain extent. I don't put a lot of ads on my videos because I don't want to bombard my viewers, so I don't collect a lot of revenue from it.
Because of the $100 payment threshold, I get paid by YouTube every 3 months or so. It's always a surprise when it shows up. But for a lot of creators who strive to be in the YPP and want YouTube to be their full-time job, this can be daunting and/or disappointing.
And perhaps YouTube is starting to get it, because they're now testing a lower payment threshold.
Starting October 2026, YouTube is testing lowering the minimum threshold from $100 USD to $20 USD (or your local currency if you're not in the US).
This test is currently for randomly selected group of creators in the US, India, and Indonesia.
If you're part of this group, YouTube will send you a notification and you'll be able to track your updated payment activity on the YouTube Studio mobile app.
Why is YouTube considering lowering the payment threshold?
I've made mention that the $100 threshold can feel steep if you're not earning that much from AdSense, and how this can create disappointment in creators.
You worked so hard to get into the YPP just to wait months to get your first YouTube paycheck. It makes a lot of you wonder, "What's the point?"
YouTube's new era is viewer satisfaction and... vibes. It's why they're making a change to their analytics (now called Insight) page, so creators won't feel overwhelmed and discouraged by the numbers. Once that update rolls out to all/most creators, we'll be talking more about it.
Lowering the payment threshold is just another way for YouTube is encourage creators to keep going, especially with them increasing the YPP requirement in February 2027.
They're still keeping in mind for creators who make more than $100, whether that's in AdSense or through their YouTube Membership, and that's why you're able to set your payment threshold.
YouTube AdSense shouldn't be your only revenue stream
This isn't the early 2010s anymore, where you can live off of AdSense. If you want to make content creation your full-time job, or have a sizable pocket income, you need to go beyond AdSense. And this all starts even before you join the YPP.
You can start a membership on Uscreen, Patreon, Fourthwall, Buy Me a Coffee, and more.
If you livestream, you can use Buy Me a Coffee or Ko-fi to let viewers send you tips or messages.
Learn from Caleb Hammer of Hammer Media on how he became #1 in YouTube Memberships, and how you can take his tips to boost your membership.
Ike
What if you're just starting and you've got nothing? We got a guide on that too.
Ike
Remember: Joining the YouTube Partner Program shouldn't be your end goal. It should just be one step further toward monetization.
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