Why is Public Watch Hours lower in the Earn tab than Analytics 2026?

The discrepancy between Public Watch Hours in the Earn tab and YouTube Analytics occurs because the Earn tab only displays "valid public watch hours" specifically qualifying for the YouTube Partner Program. While Analytics shows the total watch time from all sources, the Earn tab excludes hours from YouTube Shorts, private or unlisted videos, deleted content, and views generated through Google Ads campaigns. Furthermore, the Earn tab is not updated in real-time; it typically lags by 48 to 72 hours and may only refresh once every few days to sync with verified data. If you have recently deleted videos or switched them to private, your Analytics may still reflect that historical data, while the Earn tab will subtract it. Always rely on the Earn tab as your official progress meter for monetization eligibility.