YouTube has officially launched its Partner Program (YPP) in Armenia, marking a milestone for the country’s creative and digital economy and giving Armenian creators direct access to ad revenue sharing for the first time. The rollout, which took effect Monday, fulfills a commitment YouTube announced earlier this year and positions Armenia inside a global creator economy that has paid out more than $100 billion to creators, artists, news outlets, and media companies over the past four years.
Starting May 11, creators based in Armenia who meet YouTube’s eligibility threshold can apply to the Partner Program and begin earning. The requirements are 1,000 subscribers paired with either 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos within the past 365 days or 10 million public Shorts views in the past 90 days. Globally, more than 3 million creators are part of the program. Until now, Armenian creators were locked out of that revenue pipeline regardless of how large or engaged their audiences became.
Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, framed the launch as a turning point for Armenia’s digital economy. “Today marks an important step forward for Armenia’s creative and digital economy,” Hayrapetyan said. “We welcome YouTube’s decision to introduce the YouTube Partner Program for Armenian content creators, a long-awaited change that unlocks opportunities for monetization, empowers local voices, and supports a new generation of digital entrepreneurs.”
The minister added that the development will help Armenian creators turn their passion into sustainable work, showcase Armenia’s creativity globally, and strengthen the country’s position in the international digital landscape. He emphasized continued cooperation with YouTube and other platforms to ensure Armenian talent is “fully recognized, rewarded, and connected to the world.”
Leslie Miller, YouTube’s Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, said the platform was committed to supporting free expression and creating new economic opportunities for Armenia’s growing community of creators. “YouTube provides a platform for a wide range of voices, from independent news organizations to artists and entrepreneurs,” Miller said. “By launching the Partner Program, we hope to further empower these voices and can’t wait to see what they do next.”
David Allen, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Armenia, situated the launch within a deepening U.S.-Armenia technology partnership. “The expansion of the YouTube Partner Program to Armenia builds on the broader U.S.-Armenia technology partnership, including our recent memorandum of understanding on AI and Semiconductor Innovation,” Allen said. “It will empower individual creators and entrepreneurs, amplify creative voices, unlocking new economic opportunities and job creation for both of our countries.”
