YouTube Shorts have exploded in popularity, offering creators a powerful way to reach new audiences with snackable, vertical videos. But as views start to climb into the thousands and millions, the big question on every creator’s mind is: are YouTube Shorts monetized? If you’re used to how traditional YouTube videos earn money, the answer for Shorts might surprise you.
Let’s get straight to the point. Yes, YouTube Shorts are absolutely monetized.However, they don’t work like long-form videos. Instead of earning from ads shown directly on your content, you earn a share of a collective pool of revenue generated from all Shorts ads. It’s a different system, but it can be a significant income stream for successful creators.
Are YouTube Shorts Monetized? The “Yes, But It’s Different” Answer
The most important thing to understand is that the traditional “ad before my video” model doesn’t apply to Shorts. When a viewer is swiping through the Shorts feed, ads appear between videos, not on them. So, instead of getting paid for an ad on your specific Short, you get a piece of the pie from all the ads shown in the feed.
This “pie” is called the **Creator Pool**. YouTube gathers all the revenue from Shorts feed ads each month and puts it into this pool. A portion of this pool is then distributed to eligible creators. This leads to a different earnings calculation compared to what you might expect after reading our guide on How Much Is 500k Views on YouTube? for traditional videos.
How Shorts Monetization Actually Works: The Creator Pool Explained
Understanding the Creator Pool model is key to understanding your potential earnings. It’s a four-step process that happens every month:
- Revenue is Pooled: YouTube totals all the earnings from ads running in the Shorts feed. A portion of this money also goes to cover music licensing costs.
- The Creator Pool is Calculated: The remaining money is allocated to the Creator Pool.
- Your Share is Determined: YouTube calculates your share of the pool based on your percentage of the total views from all monetizing creators in your country. If your Shorts got 5% of all eligible views, you get 5% of the Creator Pool funds.
- You Get Paid Your Cut: YouTube applies its standard revenue share to your allocation. Creators keep 45% of their share from the Creator Pool.
This system rewards creators who consistently get high view counts. For a deep dive into the business of content creation, major publications like Forbes’ Creator Economy section offer valuable insights.
YPP Eligibility: How to Qualify for Shorts Monetization in 2025
You can’t start earning just by uploading Shorts. You must first be accepted into the **YouTube Partner Program (YPP)**. The eligibility requirements specific to Shorts are different from the traditional path:
- Subscribers: You must have at least 1,000 subscribers.
- Shorts Views: You must have at least 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.
Alternatively, you can still qualify through the traditional route of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours on your long-form videos. Once you’re in the YPP, you must accept the “Shorts Monetization Module” to start earning. The subscriber milestone is always a fun one to track, and you can even make it a game for your audience with something like the Which YouTuber Has More Subscribers Game.
Shorts RPM vs. Long-Form RPM: A Realistic Earnings Comparison
So, now that we’ve answered “are YouTube Shorts monetized,” the next question is: how does the pay compare? Generally, the RPM (Revenue Per 1,000 Views) for Shorts is significantly lower than for traditional long-form videos.
This table offers a clear comparison:
| Aspect | YouTube Shorts | Long-Form Video (8+ mins) |
|---|---|---|
| Monetization Model | Creator Pool (Ad revenue sharing from the feed) | Direct Ad Revenue (Pre-roll, mid-roll, post-roll ads) |
| Creator Revenue Share | 45% of allocated pool share | 55% of ad revenue |
| Typical RPM Range | $0.01 – $0.06 | $1.00 – $8.00+ |
| Primary Goal | Audience growth and discovery | Direct income generation and community building |
While the RPM is lower, Shorts can get vastly more views and are a powerful tool for attracting subscribers who may then watch your more profitable long-form content.
Maximizing Your Shorts Income: Strategies Beyond Ad Revenue
Smart creators don’t rely solely on ad revenue. To maximize your earnings, you should leverage YouTube’s other monetization features, which work for both Shorts and long-form content:
- Channel Memberships: Offer exclusive perks to fans who pay a monthly subscription fee.
- Super Thanks: Viewers can purchase a fun animation on your Short to show extra support.
- Brand Deals & Sponsorships: The most lucrative path. Brands will pay you directly to feature their product in your Shorts.
- Affiliate Marketing: Promote products in your Shorts and earn a commission on sales through your links.
Thinking about your content strategy also involves understanding other platforms. For instance, it’s useful to know how much higher quality is audio from SoundCloud than YouTube? if you are a musician deciding where to post your primary work.
To give your videos the initial visibility they need, many creators use a high-quality YouTube SMM panel. You can get started with even the cheapest SMM panel to see how it works. For more details on these tools, check out our guide on What is an SMM Panel?
For more on building a content business, platforms like Patreon’s Blog offer great advice for creators looking to monetize their audience directly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do views from the YouTube homepage or subscription feed count for Shorts monetization?
No. Only views that occur directly within the Shorts feed are eligible for the Shorts ad revenue sharing model. Views from other sources on YouTube do not count towards the Creator Pool calculation.
2. Can I use copyrighted music in my Shorts and still get paid?
Yes, but it affects your earnings. When you use music from YouTube’s library, the revenue is split between you and the music publishers. Your share of the Creator Pool will be calculated based on the number of tracks you use. Using one track results in a lower payout than using no tracks.
3. Is it easier to qualify for the YPP with Shorts or long-form videos?
It depends on your content. Hitting 10 million views in 90 days can be challenging, but a single viral Short can achieve it. Reaching 4,000 watch hours requires building a loyal audience over time. Many creators find that a hybrid approach—using Shorts to attract subscribers and drive traffic to their long-form content—is the most effective strategy.
