To get monetized on YouTube Shorts, apply for the YouTube Partner Program after you have 1k subscribers and 4k watch hours.
This guide shows you everything there is to know about making money with YouTube Shorts.
What is Monetization on YouTube Shorts?
Monetization on YouTube Shorts lets creators earn revenue through ads and other features specific to Shorts. Since YouTube Shorts are primarily vertical, short-form videos designed for quick consumption, their ad revenue model differs from traditional, longer YouTube videos.
- Monetization was initially through the YouTube Shorts Fund, a pool set up to reward top-performing Shorts creators.
- Now, it includes ad revenue sharing, where ads are shown between Shorts within the feed, and creators receive a portion of the revenue based on their Shorts’ performance.
- This approach allows creators to earn even without in-video ads.
Beyond ads, YouTube Shorts monetization also includes features like Super Thanks, where viewers can donate to support creators directly, and the potential to leverage YouTube’s overall monetization strategy, such as channel memberships for exclusive content and perks. Creators need to meet eligibility requirements, like joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) by reaching 1,000 subscribers and 10 million views on Shorts in the past 90 days. This evolution in monetization has opened a new income stream for creators who focus on short-form content, expanding YouTube’s support for diverse content formats.
How to Get Monetized on YouTube Shorts
You can get monetized on YouTube Shorts through the YouTube Partner Program if you meet the eligibility criteria:
- 1,000 subscribers,
- 4,000 watch hours (or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days).
Additionally, YouTube offers a Shorts Fund to reward creators based on their Shorts performance.
Requirements for Shorts Monetization
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Subscriber Count | At least 1k subscribers |
| Shorts Views | 10M Shorts views in the last 90 days |
| Policies | Adhere to all YouTube’s policies and guidelines |
| Community Guideline | No active community guideline strikes |
| Two-Step Verification | Enable two-step verification |
| YPP | Apply for YPP through YouTube Studio |
The YPP is essentially your best option.
However, it’s pretty hard getting in if you’ve just created an account. Though, a good side of the YPP is that it enables you to monetize your long-form videos as well.
Monetizing YouTube Shotrs through Ads
Earning ad revenue from YouTube Shorts requires meeting specific standards that ensure quality content and engagement. Here’s a more detailed look at eligibility requirements and how revenue works:
1. Join the YPP
To monetize content through Shorts, creators first need to qualify for the YPP, which opens the door to ad revenue and other monetization features:
- Subscriber Threshold: Creators must have at least 1,000 subscribers on their channel.
- View Requirements: There are two paths to meet viewing requirements:
- Long-Form Content Path: 4,000 watch hours from long-form videos within the last 12 months.
- Shorts Path: 10 million valid public Shorts views within the past 90 days. This path is geared toward those focusing on Shorts content.
2. Policy Complying
YouTube’s monetization policies are strict to ensure a safe, advertiser-friendly platform:
- Community Guidelines: Content must adhere to YouTube’s policies on issues like hate speech, misinformation, and explicit material.
- Copyright Compliance: Only original or properly licensed content is eligible.
Shorts that contain copyrighted music, video clips, or images not cleared for commercial use will not qualify for ad revenue.
3. YPP Availability
YPP is available in most countries, but it’s best to confirm that the program is accessible in your location. This may impact creators aiming for eligibility in countries where the program isn’t currently supported.
Keep Learning: Have a look at YouTube’s YPP availability guide.
4. Revenue Model
Shorts ad revenue works differently from traditional long-form videos:
- Shared Revenue Pool: YouTube allocates a portion of overall Shorts ad revenue to a global pool, which is distributed among eligible creators based on their share of total Shorts views.
- Earnings Split: YouTube takes a percentage of the total revenue, and the remaining portion is divided among eligible creators. The exact percentage varies but is structured to favor creators with high engagement.
5. Account Good Standing
To remain eligible, channels must maintain a good standing with YouTube’s policies. Repeated violations, community guideline strikes, or spamming may result in suspension from YPP.
By meeting these requirements, creators can earn ad revenue from YouTube Shorts and benefit from additional revenue streams designed to support content-focused growth on the platform.
Other ways to Monetize Shorts
1. Super Thanks on Shorts
What It Is: Super Thanks is a feature that allows fans to directly support creators by purchasing a “thanks” on a video, essentially a paid comment.
How It Works: Viewers can choose from several payment tiers to “tip” creators. When someone sends a Super Thanks, a highlighted comment appears in the Shorts’ comment section, helping creators earn extra income directly from fan engagement.
2. Brand Sponsorships and Collaborations
What It Is: Brands are increasingly reaching out to creators for sponsored content due to Shorts’ popularity and engagement.
How It Works: Creators promote a brand’s product or service within their Shorts, either through product placements, shoutouts, or themed content. The income from sponsorships can vary widely based on the creator’s niche, viewership, and engagement rates.
3. Affiliate Marketing
What It Is: Creators can include affiliate links within their Shorts descriptions or in a pinned comment, encouraging viewers to purchase products or services.
How It Works: Affiliate marketing provides a commission every time a viewer clicks on the link and makes a purchase. Many creators leverage popular products or brands that resonate with their audience.
Popular Programs: SendShort and Amazon Affiliate widely used affiliate programs for creators across niches.
Curious to find out more about this? Have a look at our guide on the best affiliate programs for creators, where we explain every best programs for content creators!
4. Channel Memberships
What It Is: YouTube offers channel memberships to fans who pay a monthly fee for exclusive perks.
How It Works: Membership perks can include exclusive content, live streams, badges, or emojis.
While membership was traditionally geared toward long-form content, creators can promote their membership perks in Shorts to drive more sign-ups.
5. YouTube’s Shopping Feature for Merch and Products
What It Is: The shopping feature lets creators link products directly in their Shorts, making it easy for viewers to shop for products without leaving YouTube.
How It Works: Eligible creators can tag products in Shorts, whether it’s their own merch or affiliated products, creating a seamless shopping experience.
Who It’s Best For: Creators with an established audience or those who sell physical or digital products often see significant benefits from the shopping feature.
6. Crowdfunding and Fan Support Platforms
What It Is: Many creators use external platforms like Patreon, Ko-fi, or Buy Me a Coffee to earn support from their community.
How It Works: Creators can promote their Patreon or other fan support platforms in Shorts descriptions or pinned comments, encouraging viewers to support them financially in exchange for exclusive perks or content.
Advantages: These platforms offer flexible monetization for creators who don’t qualify for YPP or those who want to engage fans with unique content on an external platform.
FAQs
1. How much money is 1,000 views on YouTube Shorts?
Between $0.01 and $0.06 is how much you can get for 1,000 views on YouTube Shorts. However, this depends on your target audience (e.g. where your Shorts are most viewed).
2. Do you get paid for ads on YouTube Shorts?
Yes, you can earn money from ads on YouTube Shorts, but the revenue is generally lower compared to regular YouTube videos due to shorter ad durations and different ad formats.
YouTube also has a separate revenue-sharing system for Shorts, including the YouTube Shorts Fund.
3. Can you monetize YouTube Shorts without 1,000 subscribers?
Yes, you can monetize YouTube Shorts without reaching 1,000 subscribers by participating in the YouTube Partner Program or the YouTube Shorts Fund.
However, for standard ad revenue through the Partner Program, you generally need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.
Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort
