On February 10, 2026, YouTube announced that its Partner Program will become available in Armenia starting this spring. This step allows Armenian creators to earn money directly from their content on the platform. The change addresses years of delays and supports the country’s developing digital sector.
What Happened
YouTube published an official blog post on February 10, 2026, stating that the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) will go live in Armenia this spring. The post says: “Great news for the creator community in Armenia: the YouTube Partner Program is set to go live this Spring. Creators in Armenia can monetize their content and join the global community of more than 3 million who have turned their passion into a business on YouTube.”
Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, welcomed the news. He described it as an important step for Armenia’s digital economy and for promoting Armenian content globally. Several Armenian news outlets reported the announcement on the same day, citing the YouTube blog post.
Earlier promises of monetization in 2024 did not happen, leading to delays that lasted over a year.
Why This Matters
Armenia has a growing community of content creators who produce videos in areas like education, technology, music, and culture. Until now, these creators could not earn ad revenue or use other monetization features directly in Armenia. Many used workarounds, such as linking accounts to supported countries, which carried risks of policy violations.
The launch removes these barriers. It allows creators to earn from ads, channel memberships, Super Thanks, and other features in a compliant way. This change can provide a new income source for individuals and contribute to Armenia’s broader digital economy. YouTube notes that it has paid out over $100 billion to creators worldwide in the last four years, showing the potential scale.
What We Know / What We Don’t Know
What We Know
- YouTube has made an official announcement for a spring 2026 launch in Armenia.
- Creators will gain access to standard YPP features once live.
- The Armenian government, through Minister Hayrapetyan, supports the move and plans continued cooperation with YouTube.
- Eligibility follows YouTube’s usual rules: channels need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year, or lower thresholds for some features, plus compliance with policies.
What We Don’t Know
- The exact start date within spring 2026.
- As of February 10, 2026, Armenia is not yet listed on YouTube’s official support page for YPP-eligible countries (last updated March 2022). It is unclear when this list will reflect the change.
- How quickly local payment systems will integrate for payouts.
What Changes Now
No immediate changes occur for creators today. Monetization is not yet active. Creators in Armenia can use this time to build toward eligibility requirements if they have not met them. Once the program launches, eligible channels can apply directly without workarounds.
What to Watch Next
- Updates to YouTube’s official eligible countries list.
- Any further statements from YouTube on the exact rollout timeline.
- Experiences shared by Armenian creators once the program goes live.
- Broader effects on content production and the digital sector in Armenia.
Sources & Transparency
This article relies on:
- Primary source: Official YouTube blog post dated February 10, 2026 (“The YouTube Partner Program is coming to Armenia”).
- Secondary sources: Reports from Armenpress, Public Radio of Armenia, and statements from Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan.
- YouTube support page on YPP availability (checked February 10, 2026; Armenia not listed).
No independent confirmation beyond the official blog post exists yet for the backend implementation. AveNews reports the announcement as stated, with clear notes on remaining uncertainties.
Last updated: 02/10/2026
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