YouTube Shorts Monetization: Earn More From Your Short Form Video

If you’re an avid user of YouTube, you may wonder about the introduction of short-form videos, cleverly titled Shorts. YouTube introduced Shorts three years ago to get ahead of the growing short form video trend and compete with platforms like TikTok. Whether you’re new to this format, or were an early adopter, you may be wondering what are the YouTube Shorts monetization options available to you as a Creator?

As it turns out, there are multiple ways to earn money from your video content, no matter the format or length. And monetizing your YouTube Shorts videos requires understanding the concept, expanding your audience reach, and tapping into your creativity. Ready to learn more? We’ve got all the insider info you need, from who is eligible to how much you can expect to earn. Read on and get ready to profit from your content.

What Are YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts were introduced in 2020 and are the platform’s answer to short-form videos. Similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts are short, 60-second video clips shown in a vertical format. 

While YouTube has typically catered to longer form video, YouTube Shorts enables Creators to more quickly record content and express themselves in new, creative ways. The content shared through Shorts is quick, personal, and engaging. And the editing options enhance these fun, quick videos—think catchy songs, funny voice overlays, and insightful captions.

If you’ve previously focused on the platform’s long-form videos, consider giving Shorts a try. YouTube reports that Creators who share both short and long-form videos are seeing increased watch time and subscription growth. Consistently using YouTube Shorts allows you to make the most of the platform, and it can even help you unlock a new audience.

Do YouTube Shorts Make Money?

Like on other social media platforms, many Creators are curious about YouTube Shorts monetization options to increase their income. If you’re frequently sharing content on a YouTube channel, you know that there are many ways to profit from your video content. From ads to subscriber memberships to brand sponsorships, the platform can be incredibly lucrative for many Creators.

But can Creators make money on YouTube Shorts? We’re here to tell you that the answer is yes. You can monetize your Shorts with the help of both internal and external features. It’s all about understanding how to use the popular platform to your advantage.

Who Is Eligible for YouTube Shorts Monetization?

While there are multiple ways to monetize your YouTube shorts, and each of those may have different requirements, there are some general eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet to make the most of YouTube Shorts monetization. These requirements help platforms to ensure that content is being shared from reputable sources. The good news? If you’re an experienced Creator, you’re likely already qualified to start earning. 

So, who’s eligible to monetize their YouTube Shorts? Anyone in the YouTube Partner Program. This is a comprehensive feature that offers Creators support and exclusive opportunities to grow and monetize. If you’re already a member of this program, then you’re eligible to monetize your YouTube Shorts. 

You still have options even if you’re not part of the partner program. YouTube has only two requirements for Creators to monetize their Shorts: having 1,000+ subscribers, and garnering 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.

After accomplishing these, you can apply to the program and start monetizing your content. 

How To Monetize YouTube Shorts and Get the Most From Your Content

Now that we’ve covered the basics, are you ready to learn how to monetize YouTube Shorts? Whether you plan to pursue a full-time YouTube career path or make money from a side-hustle, it’s essential to understand the process. 

Below, let’s look at three ways to take advantage of YouTube Shorts monetization. From utilizing ad-share revenue to creating UGC, there’s an option for everyone. Ready to start earning? Then keep reading.

1. Utilize Ad-Sharing Revenue

First, let’s talk about ad-sharing revenue, which is tracked, calculated, and paid out directly through YouTube. This is the main way to take advantage of YouTube Shorts monetization directly through YouTube itself. 

Each month, revenue earned from these ads is totaled and divided among Creators. A portion is also allocated to cover the costs of music licensing and the rest goes into a Creator Pool. From this, the platform keeps 55% of the revenue, and Creators earn the remaining 45%. This portion is distributed based on the number of views their Shorts receive in each country.

The social media powerhouse makes it easy for Creators to keep track of their earnings through YouTube Analytics. This is where Creators can find their performance metrics, from video views to audience demographic information. And, yes, keep track of their revenue share earnings.

2. Join An Affiliate Program

Affiliate marketing is another option for YouTube Shorts monetization. Joining an affiliate program allows Creators to receive unique links for brands and products and earn commissions on sales driven from those links. If you know the basics of affiliate marketing, then you can expand your affiliate efforts with YouTube shorts!

While YouTube no longer allows Creators to post links directly into their Shorts captions, you can link a Shorts video to a long-form video, and place affiliate links in the description of the longer video. Thus, if you plan to monetize your YouTube Shorts with affiliate links, you’ll need to make sure you have a strategy for long-form videos on YouTube as well.

3. Create User-Generated Content

Finally, let’s talk about capitalizing on YouTube Shorts monetization by creating user generated content (UGC). A UGC Creator is a Creator who produces content that can be repurposed by brands; this content may include anything from product demonstrations to restaurant reviews.

Creating UGC for YouTube Shorts entails creating organic, short-form videos that can be utilized by a specific brand or business. To make money, brands pay UGC Creators to create content for the brand’s own marketing channels, which may include YouTube Shorts.

Using YouTube Shorts to create and sell UGC content is a great way for up-and-coming Creators to earn income. Short-form video content is hugely valuable to brands, and is an effective way for them to educate their customers about products.

How Much Do YouTube Shorts Pay?

Now that you are well versed in YouTube Shorts monetization, you are most likely wondering about exact numbers. How much do YouTube Shorts pay? The answer can vary greatly and depends on several factors, all of which you will want to keep in mind.

First, your profit often depends on the size of your audience. As mentioned above, relying on the ad-share revenue model for YouTube Shorts monetization is all about views. This means that you’ll want to reach as many people as possible.

Understanding the best way to promote your content is another factor to keep in mind. Know what your audience is looking for and what they respond best to. Do they come to you looking to buy specific products? If so, consider affiliate marketing. If you simply love creating content, then a future in UGC might be for you.

According to some reports, the earnings from YouTube Shorts monetization aren’t as high as earnings from their traditional, longer videos. However, it’s still a great way to break into the YouTube space, grow your YouTube following, and supplement your other digital earnings. Remember, it all adds up.

Why You Should Take Advantage of YouTube Shorts Monetization

We know that as a Creator, managing multiple platforms and revenue streams, you’re incredibly busy. So why add another platform (YouTube Shorts) to your content creation schedule? Well, social media diversification is becoming even more important. As platforms continuously change and evolve, you should experiment with each platform and format to see what works for you. Diversification can also safeguard you against changes to a specific platform. 

But diversification doesn’t mean you have to spend even more time creating new content for each platform. If you’re already a short-form video whiz, you can leverage your content from Instagram Reels and TikTok and share it on YouTube Shorts and beyond. This way, you can expand your audience, reduce risk, and unlock new monetization options. 

By using YouTube Shorts, you are tapping into the strong viewership that YouTube already has. Sharing your content on the popular platform can increase your audience and expand your reach. And Shorts offers a fast way to grow since YouTube now prioritizes this feature. Why? Their overall user base is growing, as is their penchant for short-form video content.