Yes, YouTube Shorts can make money for creators, though the monetization model and earning potential differ significantly from traditional long-form YouTube videos.
Do YouTube Shorts Make Money?
YouTube Shorts can indeed generate revenue for eligible creators through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This monetization primarily comes from ads viewed between Shorts in the Shorts Feed, with a portion of this revenue being allocated to a creator pool.
How Shorts Monetization Works
Unlike long-form videos where ads are placed directly on a creator's video, the revenue for Shorts is pooled together. Advertisements run in between Shorts videos in the Shorts Feed. The revenue from these ads is then added to a Creator Pool. From this pool, a portion is allocated to creators based on their share of total Shorts views and the music used. Creators receive 45% of their allocated revenue share from the Creator Pool, regardless of whether they use music or not.
Earning Potential: Shorts vs. Long-Form Videos
The amount creators can earn from Shorts views is generally lower compared to long-form content. This is due to the nature of the Shorts Feed advertising and the revenue-sharing model.
Here's a comparison of estimated earnings per 1,000 views:
| Content Type | Estimated Earnings per 1,000 Views |
|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts | $0.01 - $0.06 |
| Long-Form Videos | $1.61 - $29.30 |
| Long-Form Average | $1.25 - $2.50 |
As evident from the table, long-form videos typically offer a much higher earning potential per 1,000 views. This stark difference highlights that while Shorts offer a pathway to monetization, they are generally not as lucrative on a per-view basis as longer content.
Eligibility Requirements for Shorts Monetization
To be eligible for monetization through YouTube Shorts and join the YouTube Partner Program, creators must meet specific criteria:
- Subscribers: Have at least 1,000 subscribers.
- Shorts Views: Accumulate 10 million valid public Shorts views within 90 days.
- Community Guidelines: Adhere to all YouTube's Community Guidelines and monetization policies.
Alternatively, creators can qualify for the YPP with 4,000 valid public watch hours on long-form videos in the past 12 months, in addition to 1,000 subscribers. Meeting either of these view/watch hour thresholds, along with the subscriber count, allows creators to apply.
For detailed and up-to-date information on the YouTube Partner Program and Shorts monetization, refer to the official YouTube Help Center.
Maximizing Shorts Revenue
While per-view earnings are lower, Shorts can still be a valuable part of a creator's strategy for several reasons:
- Audience Growth: Shorts are excellent for rapidly growing a subscriber base due to their high discoverability in the Shorts Feed. More subscribers can translate to more views on all content.
- Content Volume: The short format makes it easier to produce a high volume of content, leading to more overall views and thus more revenue, even at a lower rate per view.
- Funneling Traffic: Many creators use Shorts to drive traffic to their longer videos, which have higher monetization rates. A compelling Short can act as a teaser for more in-depth content.
- Brand Deals & Affiliates: Beyond ad revenue, popular Shorts can attract brand deals, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing opportunities, which often provide significant income.
By strategically integrating Shorts into a broader content strategy, creators can leverage their unique strengths for overall channel growth and diversified income streams.
