YouTube is testing a lower minimum withdrawal threshold for selected creators, allowing them to receive payments once their earnings reach $20 instead of the usual $100.
The experiment, which began with payments from October 2026, is intended to give eligible members of the YouTube Partner Program greater flexibility in accessing revenue generated from their content.
New Payment Option Limited to Selected Creators
YouTube confirmed that the trial will involve a randomly selected group of creators in the United States, India, and Indonesia. Participants will be able to receive payments once their eligible balance reaches $20, or the equivalent amount in their local currency.
Previously, creators generally had to accumulate at least $100 before receiving their YouTube earnings.
The company said the change is temporary and applies only to those included in the experiment. Creators who qualify will receive a notification and can monitor their payment activity through the YouTube Studio mobile app.
Those who prefer to keep a higher payout threshold can adjust their payment settings through AdSense for YouTube. Any earnings not paid out will carry over to the following month.
What the Lower Threshold Means for Creators
Reducing the minimum payment amount could help smaller channels and creators with lower or irregular earnings access their money sooner, rather than waiting until their balances reach $100.
The change does not mean creators will earn more from their videos. Instead, it gives eligible participants the option to receive accumulated earnings at a lower amount.
YouTube has not indicated whether the experiment will become a permanent feature or expand to additional countries.
YouTube Faces Growing Competition for Creators
The trial comes as Instagram steps up its efforts to attract creators with new long-form video options, including a test allowing uploads of up to 90 minutes.
However, YouTube has an established advertising revenue-sharing system through its Partner Program, giving creators a direct way to earn from eligible video views. Instagram, meanwhile, relies more heavily on brand partnerships and other monetisation options, with its approach to paying creators for longer videos still under consideration.
By making earnings easier to access for some creators, YouTube could strengthen its appeal as competition for video producers intensifies.
For now, the lower payout threshold remains a limited test. Its wider impact will depend on whether YouTube expands the option and how creators respond to the additional payment flexibility.
Source: YouTube Help