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YouTube Shorts are rapidly becoming the go-to platform for those quick engaging videos that are perfect for on-the-go viewing.
Launched as a direct competitor to TikTok and Instagram Reels, Shorts enables creators to produce bite-sized, engaging videos of up to 60 seconds (though longer Shorts of up to 3 minutes are now available). These short clips are truly captivating audiences, and we’re seeing creators get incredibly innovative in their approaches to connect with viewers in fresh and exciting ways.
With billions of monthly views and a growing creator ecosystem, many are wondering: how much does YouTube Shorts pay? This guide breaks down Shorts monetization, explains the payment models and provides actionable tips for maximizing earnings. Whether you’re a seasoned YouTube creator or just starting with short-form content, this guide will answer all your questions.
Can you make money from YouTube Shorts? YouTube Shorts offers various monetization opportunities that extend beyond traditional long-form videos, though the Shorts Fund is no longer available. Influential creators like Zach King and Khaby Lame have effectively utilized this format, achieving significant earnings from their engaging, short content.
Unlike traditional YouTube videos, which earn revenue through ads, YouTube Shorts originally relied on the YouTube Shorts Fund, a $100 million initiative to reward creators for their contributions to the platform. Creators didn’t need to monetize their channel to qualify; eligibility was based on metrics like view count, engagement and adherence to YouTube’s community guidelines.
The YouTube Shorts Fund has now officially been discontinued. Instead of monthly payments based on performance and views, YouTube has shifted to a new ad revenue sharing model designed for monetizing creators.
Starting in early 2023, YouTube introduced ad revenue sharing for Shorts. Ads are shown between Shorts in the feed, and revenue is pooled to be distributed among eligible creators. A portion of this pool (45%) is shared with creators based on their share of total Shorts views within a given period.
To start earning from ads in the Shorts Feed, creators must accept the Shorts Monetization Module, which enables them to monetize their eligible Shorts views. Only views from content that adheres to YouTube's advertiser-friendly guidelines will qualify for ad revenue sharing. Additionally, views of non-original or reused content, as well as artificial views, will not be counted towards revenue calculations.
YouTube Premium subscription revenue also contributes to Shorts monetization, with creators earning a share of the net revenue from Premium views. Each creator’s earnings are based on their share of total Shorts views within their respective countries.
For creators monitoring their earnings, YouTube Analytics provides daily estimates of Shorts Feed ad revenue and other performance metrics from the date they begin monetizing. Existing payment thresholds and details remain consistent with the AdSense program.
Besides ad revenue, creators can monetize Shorts through:
In summary, creators are now encouraged to produce high-quality, original content to take advantage of the new monetization framework, moving away from the previous funding model provided by the Shorts Fund.
How much money can you make from YouTube Shorts? Some creators are making an astounding amount every month, while others are not. This depends on how many views you earn and in what location, among other factors.
YouTube Shorts revenue varies based on factors like views, engagement and audience location. Here’s an estimated breakdown of how to convert YouTube Shorts views to money:
A creator in the US with 1 million views on a highly engaging Short could earn $50. A similar Short targeting viewers in a lower CPM region (e.g., South Asia) might generate $20 for the same views. Creators combining Shorts with brand sponsorships can earn significantly more, often ranging from $500 to $5,000 per deal.
Traditional YouTube videos typically earn higher CPM rates ($2-$10 or more) due to pre-roll, mid-roll and display ads. Shorts’ reliance on pooled ad revenue and limited ad placements makes them less lucrative on a per-view basis. However, their viral potential can make up for this in volume.
While standard YouTube videos may earn similar per-view rates, they often see a lower overall engagement, which can impact total revenue. Influencer content tends to attract higher engagement, potentially leading to more lucrative partnerships and sponsorships, emphasizing the financial advantages of tailored video production in specific niches.
Apart from seeking likes and shares, the number of views has a positive influence on earnings. The more views your Shorts receive, the larger your share of the ad revenue pool. Viral content with millions of views can significantly increase payouts.
YouTube rewards engaging content. High likes, comments, and shares signal quality, potentially boosting distribution and ad revenue.
CPM rates differ by region. Creators targeting audiences in countries like the US, Canada or the UK typically earn more per view compared to those with audiences in lower-CPM regions.
Monetizing Shorts can be less straightforward than with long-form content. For instance, revenue per 1,000 views can vary significantly, and long-form videos may still hold an edge in profitability due to their ability to incorporate more advertisements and engage viewers for longer periods.
However, while long-form content offers more stable and higher revenue through traditional ad placements, Shorts can reach a broader audience faster. This makes Shorts a powerful tool for growing subscribers and diversifying revenue streams.
Shorts monetization comes with its own set of hurdles such as:
Despite these challenges, YouTube Shorts can be a lucrative avenue for creators who understand its strengths. Shorts excel at driving massive viewership numbers quickly, thanks to their discoverability in the Shorts feed. This makes them an excellent tool for building an audience, which can be monetized more effectively through supplementary revenue streams. Creators who use Shorts strategically — for example, as a gateway to their long-form content or to attract sponsors—often find that the platform’s benefits outweigh its drawbacks.
Take Brianna's experience as a case in point. She managed to garner over 1 billion views with her creative approach, noting that her primary focus wasn’t monetization when she started. This mindset allowed her to explore the Shorts platform while still delivering long-form content, effectively managing her expectations regarding views, watch time and revenue.
Ultimately, while YouTube Shorts may not yet rival the earning potential of long-form content, they provide a unique opportunity to grow a channel, reach new audiences and diversify income streams. For many creators, the question isn’t whether Shorts make money but how to maximize their potential as part of a broader content strategy.
Produce high-quality content to increase watch time. Invest in professional editing, clear storytelling and compelling visuals. Consistency in quality builds trust with your audience and encourages repeat viewership.
Focus on creating engaging material that aligns with audience preferences, utilizing trends and popular challenges to captivate viewers. Capitalize on viral challenges, trending hashtags or seasonal themes to increase discoverability. Tools like Google Trends and YouTube’s Explore page can help identify trending topics.
Don’t rely solely on ad revenue. Explore brand partnerships, affiliate marketing and selling merchandise to boost your income. For example, a tech reviewer could partner with gadget companies to promote products in Shorts.
Examine the analytics provided on your content. Figure out what your top-performing Shorts have in common and use this insight in your favor. Look for high-rate thumbnails; additionally, you can monitor the click-through rates, which could lead to more attention.
Research fellow creators and decide whether there's anyone whose work you admire or want to collaborate with, and reach out to them. It can be advantageous to collaborate with other creators with different skill sets, audiences and knowledge, and it can be a rapid audience boost.
Engaging with your audience via social media and promoting your content is the fastest way to gain views. Engage with other short-form content ideas on those platforms and build your following across different networks, sharing a mix of personal and creative content tailored to the specific functionality of each network.
Yes, but it often requires a combination of high views, diverse revenue streams and brand collaborations. Shorts alone may not be as lucrative as long-form content, but they can complement your overall YouTube strategy.
Absolutely. Niches with higher CPM rates (e.g., finance, tech) tend to earn more per view. However, engaging content in any niche can attract brand deals and additional revenue.
Earnings depend on viewership and eligibility for revenue sharing. Many creators see income within weeks of consistent posting, but building a sustainable revenue stream takes time.
Earnings per 1,000 views typically range from $0.01 to $0.10, depending on factors like region and engagement.
Not any longer. Before 2023, creators could earn rewards without traditional monetization through the YouTube Shorts Fund. However, this fund has been gradually replaced by revenue-sharing models.
