How to Make Money on YouTube Shorts
Complete guide to monetization on YouTube Shorts. Learn proven strategies to grow faster and reach more people.
YouTube Shorts monetization recently received a major upgrade with ad revenue sharing. Combined with YouTube's established Partner Program, Shorts can now generate meaningful income—especially when connected to long-form content.
YouTube Shorts Ad Revenue (2024+)
YouTube now shares ad revenue with Shorts creators:
- Ads run between Shorts in the feed
- Revenue pooled and distributed based on views
- 45% goes to creators (YouTube keeps 55%)
- Requires 1,000 subscribers AND 10 million Shorts views in 90 days, OR 1,000 subs and 4,000 long-form watch hours
- Pays significantly more than TikTok's Creator Fund
- Music licensing is handled—no revenue loss for using popular songs
Pro Tip: ViralNow helps you create Shorts optimized for watch time, which directly impacts ad revenue.
The Long-Form to Shorts Monetization Strategy
The real power is connecting Shorts to long-form YouTube:
- Shorts drive subscribers to your channel
- Subscribers watch your long-form, ad-supported videos
- Long-form YouTube pays $3-$10+ per 1,000 views (far more than Shorts)
- Use Shorts as trailers for long-form content
- Create complementary content: Shorts tease, long-form delivers depth
Other YouTube Monetization Options
Beyond ad revenue, YouTube offers several income streams:
- Channel memberships: Recurring monthly income from dedicated fans
- Super Thanks: One-time tips on any video including Shorts
- Merch shelf: Sell products directly from your channel
- YouTube Premium revenue: Get paid when Premium members watch
- Brand deals: YouTube creators command premium rates due to audience loyalty
YouTube's Partner Program Requirements
What you need to start earning:
- Standard YPP: 1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours (long-form) OR 10M Shorts views
- Shorts-specific monetization: Same requirements, but Shorts views count
- Must follow all YouTube monetization policies
- Channel review takes 1-4 weeks after hitting thresholds
- Some features (memberships, Super Thanks) require additional thresholds
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Shorts views count toward YouTube Partner Program?
Yes, since 2023. You can qualify with 10 million Shorts views in 90 days (plus 1,000 subscribers), OR the traditional 4,000 watch hours of long-form content. Many creators now hit requirements through Shorts alone.
How much do YouTube Shorts pay per view?
It varies significantly based on your audience's location and the ads shown. Generally, expect $0.01-$0.06 per 1,000 views for Shorts specifically. This is higher than TikTok's Creator Fund but lower than long-form YouTube content.
Should I focus on Shorts or long-form for monetization?
Both, ideally. Shorts for growth and discovery; long-form for higher revenue per view. The winning strategy: use Shorts to attract subscribers, then convert them to long-form viewers. Long-form pays 10-50x more per view than Shorts.
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