When I started the channel it was simple enough, you just had to have 10,000 minutes of overall view time. Then they changed it to require 100 subscribers. Then LoganPaul made that video with the man in Japan who hung himself in a forest. Shortly afterwards they cracked down hard.
Now its 1000 subscribers and 4000 hours of total viewtime in the last 365 days.
I'm there now, but my goodness it has been exceptionally difficult. I know my channel is tiny and wont make much money, but its the principle that made me feel like our hard work was suddenly disregarded and the goal posts were just moving further and further away.