YouTube Shorts Monetization: Complete Guide for 2025

Do YouTube Shorts generate ad revenue, or is it just hype?

The answer is Yes, YouTube Shorts generate revenue, and channels experience subscriber count increases up to 20% faster through short video posting.

YouTube Shorts monetization attracts attention because the short video format has gained significant popularity. In 2025, viewers watch over 30 billion Shorts daily (yep, billion with a “B”).

The best part? Anyone with a phone and an idea can create Shorts without fancy equipment or long editing sessions required for traditional YouTube videos.

People want fast, fun content, and YouTube has made it super simple for creators to reach new fans, sometimes overnight. Shorts bring a whole new way for creators to earn ad revenue, grow channel memberships, and even score brand deals.

But how does YouTube Shorts monetization work? What does it take to start earning money with YouTube Shorts? This guide breaks down everything you need to know. You’ll learn about the latest monetization rules, the steps you need to follow, and some clever tips for boosting your income.

Stick around if you want to know:

• What’s different about ad revenue from Shorts?
• How do you qualify for the YouTube Partner Program with just short videos?
• How can you get paid, even if you’re new to YouTube?

Here’s how creators turn 60-second videos into real money.

What Are YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts are short, vertical videos that last up to 60 seconds. You can record and upload them right inside the YouTube mobile app, no need for fancy cameras or complex editing. Just pick up your phone, film a quick clip, and post it. Shorts pop up in a special “Shorts feed”, so viewers can swipe through video after video in seconds.

Why does YouTube Shorts monetization matter?

So, why should anyone care about YouTube Shorts monetization?

First, Shorts get discovered instantly thanks to that endless swipe-through feed. You don’t have to wait days or weeks for the YouTube algorithm to notice your video.

Second, making Shorts is easy. You don’t need expensive gear or a studio. Just hit record and share your idea.

Third, there’s real money on the table. Because Shorts reach so many viewers, even small channels can start generating ad revenue, channel memberships, and more. With YouTube Shorts monetization, you can turn your creativity into a growing revenue stream, all without the complexity of regular YouTube videos.

YouTube Shorts Fund: What Happened?

The YouTube Shorts Fund was a temporary $100 million fund launched in 2021 that paid creators between $100 and $10,000 monthly based on performance and engagement metrics. However, YouTube discontinued this fund in 2023.

In 2025, YouTube has fully replaced the Shorts Fund with the current ad revenue sharing model, which provides more sustainable long-term earnings for creators who meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements.

YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements for 2025

Starting YouTube Shorts monetization requires understanding the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) rules. YouTube has made it easier for Shorts creators to get started, but there are two main tiers.

YouTube Partner Program Tiers

YouTube has maintained consistent monetization requirements for Shorts creators in 2025.

There are two YPP levels for Shorts:

1. Entry-Level YPP:

• 500 subscribers on your YouTube channel
• 3 public video uploads in the last 90 days
• Either 3,000 watch hours on long-form videos or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days
• You can use fan funding features like Super Thanks and channel memberships, but you can’t earn ad revenue from Shorts just yet.

2. Full YPP Access:

• 1,000 subscribers
• Either 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days
• At least 3 public uploads in the last 90 days
• Full ad revenue sharing, plus all the YouTube shorts funding tools and monetization features

The 10 million Shorts views in 90 days pathway remains the primary qualification method for Shorts-focused creators in 2025, with no changes to this threshold from previous years.

If you want to make money with YouTube Shorts and earn ad revenue, you’ll want to reach the full YPP tier. At this level, YouTube Shorts monetization fully activates, allowing you to earn from every view in the Shorts feed.

Progression Timeline

Here’s a rough idea of how most Shorts creators move up through these requirements:

Understanding the 10 Million Shorts Views in 90 Days Requirement (2025)

The 10 million Shorts views in 90 days requirement continues to be the primary qualification pathway for Shorts creators in 2025. Here’s what you need to know:

• Views must be from public Shorts (private or unlisted videos don’t count)
• The 90-day period is rolling, not fixed (YouTube looks at the most recent 90 days)
• Views must be legitimate (purchased views or artificial engagement violates terms)
• YouTube counts total views across all your Shorts, not just a single video
• The view counter in YouTube Studio is the official metric used for qualification

Many creators find this requirement more achievable than the traditional 4,000 watch hours pathway, especially if they focus primarily on short-form content.

Common Disqualification Pitfalls

There are a few things that can block your monetization on YouTube Shorts:

• Getting fake views or engagement (like bots or click farms)
• Breaking copyright rules or getting strikes for reused content
• Missing AdSense setup or not turning on two-step verification

Tip: Always check your Policy Status in YouTube Studio to catch any problems early. If something violates YouTube’s rules, fix it right away so you don’t lose your chance to earn money.

Revenue Calculation & Comparison

Ever wondered how YouTube Shorts monetization pays out? Let’s break down how ad revenue from Shorts works, how much creators can expect, and how music affects your final earnings.

How Shorts Ad Revenue Gets Shared

Advertisers pay for ads that show up in the Shorts feed. YouTube takes all the ad revenue from these Shorts ads and puts it in a big creator pool.

Your share of this pool depends on the number of views your Shorts get compared to everyone else’s.

YouTube keeps 55% of all the ad revenue, and the remaining 45% goes to the creators, split by each creator’s view count.

This is called the shorts revenue sharing model, and it’s very different from regular YouTube videos.

A Real Example

Suppose total ad revenue from the Shorts feed for a month is $1,000,000.

If your Shorts get 0.5% of all views, you’re allocated $5,000 from the creator pool.

You keep 45% of this amount, which means you earn $2,250 in ad revenue.

That’s how the revenue sharing process makes it possible to earn money with YouTube Shorts, even if you’re still building your channel.

How Music Affects Your Earnings

Music can lower your share from the creator pool.

• If you use no music, you keep the full 45% share.
• If you use one music track, you get half, so about 22.5%.
• Using two or more tracks? Your share drops to about 15%.

This cut helps pay for music licensing costs and keeps music publishers happy. So, while music can make your Shorts more fun, it also means less ad revenue for you.

Shorts RPM vs. Long-Form Videos

How much do creators get paid per thousand views (RPM)?

Shorts RPM is much lower than regular YouTube videos. Shorts typically pay between $0.01 and $0.06 per 1,000 views. In comparison, long-form videos can pay anywhere from $1 to $30 per 1,000 views, depending on your niche and audience.

To make more money with YouTube Shorts, track both your Shorts RPM and your watch hours. Shift your strategy toward better-performing formats to boost your earnings.

For a more detailed look at your numbers: Use YouTube Analytics in YouTube Studio to see exactly where your ad revenue is coming from and which Shorts bring in the most money.

YouTube Shorts Monetization Policy Updates for 2025

YouTube has maintained consistent monetization policies from 2024 into 2025, with a few clarifications:

• Content policies remain focused on original creation, with continued emphasis on avoiding reused content
• YouTube has maintained the same revenue-sharing model (45% to creators, 55% to YouTube)
• Music usage policies remain unchanged, with revenue splits when licensed music is used
• Geographic availability of monetization remains consistent with previous years
• The application review process continues to take approximately 30 days

YouTube has not announced any major policy changes for Shorts monetization in 2025, focusing instead on stability for creators in the program.

Technical Setup & Tools

Starting YouTube monetization doesn’t require a fancy studio. A basic setup produces great results when your videos are clear with good sound quality. Here’s what works best for most Shorts creators.

Equipment Recommendations

Creators typically shoot Shorts with their phones. If you have a smartphone that records in 1080p or better and has some stabilization, you’re good to go.

A ring light or softbox improves lighting quality. It helps your videos look sharp, even if you film indoors.

Clear audio is also key. A simple lapel mic or a USB condenser mic can make your voice stand out in busy backgrounds.

Editing Software

You don’t have to spend a lot on editing software.

If you want free options, check out DaVinci Resolve or CapCut Mobile. Both can handle Shorts edits with ease.

If you want something more advanced, Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are popular with many YouTube creators.

Audio Optimization

Keep your sound clear and steady. Use noise reduction tools to remove background hum. Always make sure your volume levels stay the same from clip to clip.

Music usage can make your Shorts more interesting, but remember the music licensing costs when you want to monetize YouTube Shorts.

Scheduling & Planning

Don’t just post whenever you feel like it. Use a calendar or a tool like RecurPost to plan and auto-publish your Shorts. A visual content calendar helps you see which topics or trends you’ve covered and keeps you on track for regular uploads.

Sticking to a plan helps boost your chances for Shorts monetization and makes it easier to hit those YPP milestones.

Activating & Enabling Monetization

Getting started with YouTube Shorts monetization is simple once you reach the YouTube Partner Program requirements. Follow these steps to set up ad revenue, fan funding, and more:

Step 1: Apply to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

• Go to YouTube Studio and find the “Monetization” tab.
• Hit “Apply“.
• YouTube usually takes 2–4 weeks to review your channel. Sometimes, it’s even faster.

Step 2: Link Your AdSense Account

• Connect your Google AdSense account to your YouTube channel.
• Double-check your payment settings to avoid any payout delays.
• Make sure you complete two-step verification for extra security.

Step 3: Accept the Shorts Monetization Module

• When you get approved, you’ll see the “Shorts Monetization” module inside YouTube Studio.
• Click to accept the Shorts monetization terms.

Tip: Take a screenshot of the acceptance screen with a timestamp. This helps if you ever need YouTube support.

Step 4: Publish New Shorts

• Only the Shorts views you get after accepting the monetization module will count toward ad revenue.
• Start posting new content to earn money from the Shorts feed right away.

Tip: If you run into any issues, always check your Policy Status and monetization tab inside YouTube Studio first.

Boosting Your Shorts Income

YouTube Shorts monetization performs best with consistency, audience knowledge, and strategic tactics for increasing views and ad revenue. These strategies help earn more money with YouTube Shorts while accelerating channel growth:

Consistency & Volume

• Post 3–5 Shorts each week for steady channel growth and better Shorts ad revenue sharing.
• Keep most of your videos between 15 and 30 seconds. These get the highest retention and more watch hours.
• Watch for trends, holidays, or big events. Posting on days when people are searching for those topics brings more money and new subscribers.

Audience & Niche Targeting

• Some niches pay more ad revenue. Topics like finance, tech, and business often have higher CPM (cost per 1,000 views).
• Think about your viewers: what are their needs, questions, or hobbies? Create a few content segments for each type of person who follows your YouTube channel.
• The more you personalize your Shorts, the higher your engagement and income from the creator pool.

Engagement Tactics

• Grab attention with a bold hook in the first three seconds. Use bright visuals or on-screen text.
• Add direct calls to action, like “Like”, “Comment”, or “Subscribe”. These simple phrases increase channel memberships and fan funding.
• Pin helpful comments, answer questions, and start Q&A threads. The more viewers interact, the more your Shorts get boosted in the Shorts feed.

Metadata & A/B Testing

• Use both broad tags (like YouTube shorts monetization) and more niche tags that match your video’s topic.
• Test different thumbnails, try two per week to see what viewers click most.
• Try out different posting times and check YouTube Analytics to spot what brings the best results.
• Switch up your strategy within a week if something’s not working. A/B testing helps you earn more ad revenue and keeps your Shorts visible.

Cross-Platform Promotion

• Share quick previews or teasers of your Shorts on Instagram Reels and TikTok. Always link back to your YouTube channel.
• Embed your Shorts in your blog posts or newsletters. More eyeballs on your videos means more ad revenue generated and bigger payouts from the Shorts revenue sharing model.
• Use scheduling tools like RecurPost to manage your posts across different platforms and never miss a trending moment.

Additional Revenue Streams

Monetization on YouTube Shorts isn’t limited to just ad revenue. The best Shorts creators use several ways to earn money and grow their income outside the main creator pool. Here’s how you can add more revenue streams to your channel.

Fan Funding

• Fan funding features are a great way for your audience to support you directly.
• With Super Thanks and Super Chat, fans can send you money during live streams or leave paid comments on your Shorts.
• Once you hit 500 subscribers, you can enable channel memberships. This gives your fans access to exclusive perks, like members-only badges or private videos.
• Don’t forget about stickers; these small extras can add up to more money every month.

Affiliate & E‑commerce

• Add affiliate links in your video descriptions or as on-screen text. Whenever someone buys through your link, you earn a commission.
• If you sell products, use YouTube Shopping tags to highlight your items right on your Shorts.
• You can also partner with e-commerce brands and mention their products in your videos for extra cash.

Brand Deals & Sponsorships

• Start building a media kit with your number of subscribers, average Shorts views, engagement stats, and audience demographics.
• When reaching out to brands, use a pitch template that introduces yourself and shows exactly what value you bring. Brands love seeing clear ROI (return on investment).
• Decide if you want a flat fee per video, a percentage of sales (performance), or both. Some creators get paid more money for sponsored Shorts than from ad revenue alone.
• Try to work with brands that fit your niche. This keeps your channel authentic and helps you keep your regular viewers interested.

Merch & Direct Sales

• If your channel is eligible, use the merch shelf to sell t-shirts, mugs, or other items right under your Shorts.
• You can also link out to sites like Shopify if you sell your own products or courses.
• Promoting digital products like eBooks, templates, or coaching can add a steady income stream that isn’t tied to ad revenue sharing.

YouTube Shorts monetization gets even better when you add these extra ways to earn. The more streams you build, the more money you’ll bring in, even when ad rates change.

Case Studies & Lessons Learned

Here are real creators and trends backed by data that reflect how YouTube Shorts monetization works in the wild.

Reddit Creator Example: Big Views, Modest Earnings

A user on Reddit shared results from their high-traffic Shorts channel:

“My work channel with 20 M subs gets ~ 670 M monthly shorts views but only generates about $30 K in shorts revenue each month.”
“My personal channel with ~ 10 M monthly shorts views generates ~ $2.5 k–$3 k per month” (Reddit)

Key takeaway: Even creators with hundreds of millions of Shorts views might earn a moderate amount because the Shorts RPM is low. This shows how the shorts revenue sharing model can limit earnings unless views are extremely high.

Data Trends from 2025: What Shorts Creators Earn

Recent stats highlight how monetization pans out across niches and creator levels:

• Creators with over 1 million Shorts subscribers earn $5,000–$12,000/month in ad revenue.
• Shorts RPM typically ranges from $20 to $50 per million views, depending on the niche. Some finance channels can hit up to $4.50 CPM (Zebracat).
• Only 12% of Shorts-focused creators earn over $50,000 per year from Shorts alone; most rely on sponsorships, memberships, and merch (Zebracat).

Lesson: Niche content and high engagement matter. Financial or business Shorts pay more, but brand deals and fan funding are often bigger contributors to income for most creators.

DIY Creator Case Study: Convert Views to Revenue

One small creator shared a smart tactic:

• They turned about 7% of Shorts viewers into long‑form watchers, which doubled their AdSense income.
• This came from adding simple cues: linking full videos in descriptions, using pinned comments, and editing Shorts to tease long content (Monetag).

Insight: Shorts can act as a funnel to your long-form videos, where CPMs are much higher. YouTube partner program and shorts monetization work better together when you cross-link content types.

Media Channel Strategy: TheSoul Publishing

TheSoul Publishing runs over 100 YouTube channels with massive global reach (e.g., 5‑Minute Crafts, Bright Side). These channels thrive on short-form content and generate billions of views via Shorts (Wikipedia).

Lesson: Production-style content at scale, like daily short videos across niches, is effective. Large creators monetize YouTube Shorts with volume, and ad revenue adds up across channels.

Platform-Level Trends: Monetization Takeoff

According to official data from YouTube:

• Over 25% of creators in the YouTube Partner Program now earn from Shorts ads.
• Of those eligible via Shorts thresholds, more than 80% leverage other monetization features like fan funding, YouTube Premium revenue, and brand deals (blog.youtube).

Takeaway: Shorts often serve as the gateway to full YouTube channel monetization. Many creators who meet Shorts eligibility thresholds go on to unlock more revenue types.

Summary Table

What this means for you:

• Shorts RPM is low; big views are needed for noticeable ad revenue.
• Converting Shorts viewers to watch long‑form videos can multiply earnings.
• Brand deals, memberships, and fan funding often earn more than Shorts ad revenue alone.
• Consistency and niche focus matter, especially in high‑CPM topics like finance or tech.

Compliance & Policy

YouTube Shorts monetization only works if you follow YouTube’s rules. If you break the rules, you risk losing ad revenue, channel memberships, or even your spot in the YouTube Partner Program.

Follow Community Guidelines

• All Shorts must follow YouTube’s community guidelines. This means no hate speech, harmful content, scams, or anything that violates YouTube’s policies.
• Strikes for things like reused content or copyright issues can block your ability to earn money and may get your channel removed from the Shorts ad revenue sharing model.
• Always check your policy status inside YouTube Studio to catch problems early.

Copyright Best Practices

• Never use unlicensed music, unedited clips, or content from other creators in your Shorts.
• Music licensing costs and music usage rules apply, even for short videos.
• Stick to YouTube’s audio library or make sure you have permission from music publishers for anything you use.
• Shorts with reused or only music content might be disqualified from ad revenue sharing.

Geographic Differences

• The YouTube Partner Program is not available in every country.
• Some features, like the shorts monetization module or fan funding, may be limited based on your location.
• Always check YouTube’s official list to see if your country supports all the monetization features you want.

Tax & Reporting

• Track your earnings for taxes in your country.
• YouTube reports ad revenue and other payouts through AdSense. You might need to fill out tax forms and keep records for local regulations.
• If you earn money through brand deals, affiliate links, or merch, those also need to be reported for tax purposes.

Staying on top of these rules keeps your YouTube channel safe and your income steady. Breaking any of these YouTube channel monetization policies could mean losing all the ad revenue you worked for.

Performance Tracking & KPIs

YouTube Shorts monetization isn’t just about views. To really grow your ad revenue and stand out from other Shorts creators, you need to watch the right numbers and make smart decisions. Here’s what to track and how to use the data.

Key Metrics Beyond Views

• Retention Rate: This shows how long viewers watch your Shorts. The higher, the better. Aim for people to watch the full 15–30 seconds.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): How many people click on your Shorts from the feed or notifications? A high CTR means your thumbnails and titles are working.
• RPM: This is your earnings for every 1,000 views. Check the RPM for both Shorts and long-form videos.
• Watch Time: Add up the total minutes viewers spend on your channel. More watch hours help with the YouTube partner program and can increase ad revenue.

Benchmarking by Niche

• Don’t just compare your numbers to the biggest channels overall. Instead, look at top creators in your niche (like tech, beauty, or finance).
• Tools like YouTube Analytics, TubeBuddy, or VidIQ can help you see where your channel stands compared to others.

Templates & Dashboards

• Track weekly stats with a simple spreadsheet or dashboard.
• Track key numbers like Shorts views, ad revenue, CTR, retention, and new subscribers. This makes it easy to spot what’s working.

Here’s a basic column list for your tracker:

• Date
• Total Shorts Views
• Ad Revenue (Shorts)
• RPM
• Watch Time
• Subscribers Gained
• Best Performing Short

YouTube Analytics Deep Dive

• In YouTube Studio, go to the Analytics tab.
• Use retention graphs to see where viewers drop off.
• Check traffic source reports to learn how people find your Shorts—search, suggested, or Shorts feed.
• Revenue reports show how much each video is making, so you know what type of content brings in the most ad revenue.

Regular tracking and tweaking help you earn more money, hit your YouTube Shorts monetization requirements faster, and grow your creator pool.

Resources & Further Learning

YouTube Shorts monetization keeps changing, so staying up to date is key. These resources help you learn, get answers, and improve your channel:

Official Learning

• YouTube Creator Academy: Free, official courses on everything from making Shorts to understanding ad revenue sharing.
• Creator Insider Channel: YouTube’s own channel for updates on new features, shorts monetization work, and insider tips.

Top Tools for Creators

• RecurPost: Helps you schedule Shorts, create a posting calendar, and automate uploads.
• TubeBuddy: Find the best tags, optimize your titles, and compare your channel to others in your niche.
• VidIQ: Dive into YouTube analytics, track what’s trending, and spot content ideas for higher ad revenue.

Creator Communities

• r/YouTubeCreators: A big Reddit community for creators to swap tips, ask questions, and share wins.
• YouTube Creator Community Forum: Official place to ask questions, read guides, and connect with other creators about everything from shorts monetization to YouTube channel growth.

Keep learning, join these groups, and you’ll always have the latest info on YouTube Shorts monetization and new ways to earn money.

Action Plan Checklist (Phased)

Celebrate every milestone:

When you reach 500 subscribers, 3 million Shorts views, 1,000 subscribers, or 10 million Shorts views, do a shout‑out to your community. It keeps momentum high and your audience excited!

If you want to grow your business online, using YouTube as part of your overall marketing plan is very important. Whether you already use social media, email marketing, or SEO, YouTube can help by offering fun and interesting videos that connect with your audience.

Conclusion

YouTube Shorts monetization is now a real way for creators to earn money, grow a channel, and even turn content creation into a full-time job. By following the steps, using smart tools, and staying on top of trends, anyone can start making money with YouTube Shorts. Keep your content fresh, watch your analytics, and don’t be afraid to test new ideas.

Every short video is a new chance to reach more viewers and boost your revenue.

FAQs on YouTube Shorts Monetization

Saurabh Chaturvedi

Saurabh Chaturvedi is a content writer at RecurPost. Specializing in social media management and marketing, Saurabh is dedicated to crafting engaging and informative articles. His passion for clear, exciting content keeps readers eager for more.