YouTube is testing an option that would enable creators to cash out their Partner Program earnings at $20, rather than the longstanding $100 minimum.
This payout flexibility gives creators easier access to their YouTube content revenue share.
As explained by YouTube: “To offer creators more flexibility, we’re temporarily running an experiment that lowers the minimum payment threshold to receive payments from $100 USD to $20 USD (or local currency equivalent). This will be applied starting from October 2026 payments for a randomly selected group of creators in the U.S., India and Indonesia.”
So at the end of this month, a creator in the test pool will be able to access their funds even if they haven't reached the $100 minimum. Whatever funds remain will be rolled over to the next month.
“Creators in this experiment will receive a notification and can track their updated payment activity in YouTube Studio on mobile,” YouTube said. “If you’re a creator in this experiment and prefer a higher payout threshold, you can change your payment threshold in AdSense for YouTube.”
The update comes as Instagram challenges YouTube with a renewed push on long-form content. The Meta-owned platform may be hoping to compete with YouTube on both content and for creators.
But YouTube’s revenue share system is more advanced than what’s on offer on IG, and it will be a tough sell for Meta to convince creators to put more focus on Instagram, even with more content sharing options.
Decreased payment thresholds could be another element in YouTube’s favor, providing expanded opportunities for a broader range of creators to make money in the app.
