YouTube Shorts Monetization: Requirements & Pay (2026)

Short-form video is having a moment. According to Wyzowl’s 2025 video marketing data, 71% of consumers believe videos less than one minute in length are the most effective. 

So, can YouTube Shorts actually be monetized? Yes. In 2026, creators who qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) can earn money from Shorts through a revenue-sharing model that pays out from ads shown between videos in the Shorts feed. On top of that, creators can stack income using fan-funding tools like Super Thanks and memberships, plus brand partnerships.

But Shorts monetization doesn’t work the same way as long-form YouTube, and the payouts, eligibility requirements, and earning potential often surprise people.

In this guide, you’ll learn how YouTube Shorts monetization works, what you need to qualify for YPP, how much creators actually earn, and whether Shorts are worth monetizing as part of a broader strategy or side hustle.

Can you monetize Shorts on YouTube?

Yes, creators can monetize YouTube Shorts. At first, Shorts were not included in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), but now all video content can be monetized.

How does YouTube Shorts monetization work?

YouTube rewards Shorts creators with a revenue-sharing system generated from the Shorts ads they display between videos on the feed. 

The platform pools all Shorts ad revenue, then allocates a percentage to music partners and a percentage to YouTube Shorts creators (creators keep 45% of their allocated revenue, while YouTube retains the remaining 55%). Creators are paid based on their individual videos’ performance.

For your number of views to count toward the revenue calculation, they must be considered “engaged views.” What is this magic metric anyway? Here’s what to know:

• Engaged/eligible views. These are legitimate views from real users that meet YouTube’s viewing criteria. Only these views count toward your share of the creator pool.
• Ineligible views. These are excluded entirely. They include unedited clips from movies, fake views from bots, or content that violates advertiser-friendly content guidelines, like inappropriate language or derogatory content.

1. Pool Shorts feed ad revenue

Each month, revenue from ads running between videos in the Shorts feed is added together. This happens separately for each country to ensure local pricing standards apply.

2. Calculate the creator pool

From total Shorts ad revenue, YouTube first subtracts the music licensing costs. The remaining revenue goes into the creator pool (a shared pot of money that’s later distributed to eligible creators based on their share of total Shorts views).

Music usage directly affects how much money makes it into the creator pool in the first place. The more licensed music used in a Short, the larger the portion of revenue that’s allocated to music rights holders before creator payouts are calculated.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• No music: All revenue associated with the Short’s views goes into the creator pool.
• One music track: 50% of the revenue goes to music costs, and 50% goes into the creator pool.
• Two music tracks: Two-thirds of the revenue goes to music costs, and one-third goes into the creator pool.

Because music licensing agreements can change, creators should always check YouTube’s official Help Center for the most up-to-date information on music revenue allocation and Shorts monetization rules.

What’s not in the creator pool

Not all ad revenue or views contribute to the pool. Here’s what is excluded:

• Revenue associated with views from channels that have not yet accepted the Shorts Monetization Module.
• Views on Shorts uploaded directly by music partners.
• Ineligible views (see above), including policy violations and artificial traffic.
• Revenue from ads shown before a user opens the Shorts feed or on navigation pages.

3. Allocate the creator pool

YouTube distributes funds from the creator pool to monetizing creators based on their share of total engaged views in each country.

For example, if your Shorts received 5% of all eligible views in the US, you are allocated 5% of the US creator pool, regardless of whether you used licensed music or not.

YouTube Shorts monetization requirements explained

The best way to monetize YouTube Shorts is through ad revenue sharing, which is available to creators in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) via the Shorts Monetization Module.

YouTube offers two tiers of monetization in its YPP, each unlocking different earning features. Creators who meet the higher threshold can access full Shorts ad revenue sharing, while those who qualify through long-form watch time can monetize across both Shorts and standard YouTube videos.

To qualify for YPP and access Shorts monetization, creators must meet one of the following requirements:

• 1,000 subscribers and 10 million public Shorts views in the past 90 days
• 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last 365 days

Once accepted, eligible creators can enable the Shorts Monetization Module and start earning from ads in the Shorts feed, alongside other monetization tools like fan funding.

Fan funding access

For creators who don’t yet meet the full Shorts ad revenue thresholds, YouTube also offers a lower-tier entry point into the YouTube Partner Program. This option doesn’t include Shorts ad revenue sharing, but it does let you start monetizing earlier through fan funding and commerce tools.

With this level of access, you can sell products on YouTube and unlock monetization features like paid channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks.

To qualify for this alternative entry point, you need to meet one of the following requirements:

• 500 subscribers, at least three public posts in the past 90 days, and three million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days
• 500 subscribers, at least three public posts in the past 90 days, and 3,000 valid public watch hours on long-form videos in the past 12 months (excluding Shorts, livestreams, ad campaigns, private or unlisted videos, and deleted content)

Ad revenue and fan funding access

This is the full YouTube monetization tier where creators unlock YouTube’s core revenue streams. Alongside fan funding, creators can earn ad revenue from both long-form videos and YouTube Shorts, plus revenue from YouTube Premium subscribers.

To qualify for this tier, you need to meet one of the following requirements:

• 1,000 subscribers and 10 million public Shorts views in the past 90 days
• 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the past 365 days

Once approved, you can turn on full monetization features and start earning from ads across your content (including Shorts) rather than relying solely on audience support.

Once you meet either of these thresholds, you can apply to YouTube’s Partner Program. YouTube will review your channel and determine your eligibility, a process that usually takes about a month. 

Additional eligibility requirements for the program include the following:

• The channel must follow all YouTube channel monetization policies.
• The creator must live in a country where the program is available.
• The creator can’t have any active community guidelines strikes against their channel.
• The channel must have two-step verification turned on and advanced features enabled.
• The creator must have or sign up for an AdSense account.

How many views on YouTube Shorts to get paid?

There isn’t a fixed number of views where YouTube Shorts suddenly start paying out. Eligibility “unlocks” monetization, not views alone. 

To make money from Shorts, you must first qualify for and be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program. Until that happens, Shorts can rack up millions of views without generating any direct payout.

Once you’re eligible and have the Shorts Monetization Module enabled, your Shorts can earn ad revenue. At that point, views do matter, but not as a simple per-view rate. Earnings are calculated based on your share of total Shorts views, how much ad revenue enters the creator pool, and factors like music usage.

How to apply for YouTube Shorts monetization

Before you can earn from YouTube Shorts, you need to be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program. Once you’re approved, you need to turn on Shorts monetization in your YouTube Studio by accepting the Shorts Monetization Module. 

Here’s how to do it:

On desktop:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. From the left-hand menu, select Earn.
3. Review and accept the Shorts Monetization Module.
4. If prompted, accept the Base Terms module as well.
   

Once accepted, your eligible Shorts can start earning ad revenue.

On Android:

1. Open the YouTube Studio app.
2. Tap Earn in the bottom or side menu.
3. Follow the prompts to accept the Shorts Monetization Module.
4. Accept the Base Terms module if you haven’t already.
   

On iPhone (iOS):

1. Open the YouTube Studio app.
2. Tap Earn.
3. Accept the Shorts Monetization Module.
4. Accept the Base Terms module if required.

Average earnings from YouTube Shorts

YouTube launched its Shorts ad revenue sharing model in February 2023 in an effort to simplify the music licensing process and allow creators to earn more money on the platform.

How much do YouTube Shorts pay per 1,000 views?

Various YouTubers claim that YouTube Shorts have much lower revenue per mille (RPM), or revenue per 1,000 views, compared to long videos. 

On average, creators are earning anywhere between 3¢ and 7¢ RPM. By contrast, YouTube creators who make long-form videos typically make anywhere between $1 to $30 RPM.

Here’s an example of how YouTube Shorts monetization might work for a brand or creator: 

1. You upload a Shorts video in the United States and that Short receives a million views in a month.
2. There are 400 million total Shorts views on videos uploaded by monetizing creators in the United States that month, and YouTube earns $200,000 from ads appearing in the Shorts feed.
3. Of the monetized Shorts viewed, 30% use no music, 30% use one music track, and 40% use two music tracks.
4. YouTube allocates money to the creator fund based on views per Short. In this example, views are evenly distributed across all Shorts. YouTube would allocate:
1. 100% of revenue earned by videos with no music to the creator fund
2. 50% of the revenue earned by videos using one track to the creator fund
3. 33% of the revenue earned by videos using two tracks to the creator fund

In this case, YouTube allocates $116,400 to the creator pool and the remainder to the music licensing fund.

• Your million views make up 0.25% of the total monetized YouTube Shorts views that month, so your share of the creator fund is $116,400 x 0.0025 = $291.
• YouTube will pay you 45% of your revenue share of the creator pool, or $130.95.

YouTube creators evaluate revenue using RPM. In this case, your RPM would be 13¢, or $131.85 / 1,000. 

Shorts vs. long-form earnings comparison

One of the biggest questions creators ask is how earning potential differs between Shorts and traditional long-form YouTube videos. The short answer: Shorts are great for reach and audience growth, but long-form videos typically earn substantially more per view due to ad placement opportunities and higher RPMs (revenue per 1,000 views).

Other ways to make money with YouTube Shorts

• Sell subscription memberships
• Monetize livestreams
• Sell merchandise and products
• Join an affiliate program
• Secure paid brand partnerships

While the YouTube Partner Program is the only way to earn ad revenue from Shorts, it shouldn’t be your only income stream. Smart creators use Shorts as a top-of-funnel growth engine, then layer in other monetization methods to diversify their revenue.

Sell subscription memberships

Turning on YouTube’s channel memberships allows you to charge monthly payments in exchange for perks like exclusive content, live chats, badges, and emojis. Memberships work best as a next step after discovery, where you use Shorts to reach new viewers, then convert your most engaged fans into paying members.

To turn on channel memberships, sign in to YouTube Studio, click Earn, and visit the Memberships tab.

Monetize livestreams

YouTube allows creators to monetize livestreams using Super Chat and Super Stickers, which let fans pay to send highlighted messages or animated stickers during live chats.

Livestreams work especially well as a conversion layer. Shorts drive fast discovery and reach new audiences, while livestreams give viewers a reason to stick around, engage in real time, and financially support the channel.

A common strategy is to use Shorts to:

• Tease upcoming livestreams
• Clip high-energy or valuable moments from past lives
• Answer quick questions that lead into longer live discussions
  

Then, during livestreams, you can:

• Encourage Super Chats and Super Stickers for shout-outs or Q&A priority
• Build stronger parasocial connection, which increases fan-funding participation
• Promote memberships, products, or upcoming content

Sell merchandise and products

Creators and brands can also make money on YouTube by selling merchandise online, and YouTube Shorts work especially well as product teasers. 

Creators can sell branded merchandise (such as apparel featuring a logo, catchphrase, or visual style) or launch products tied directly to their niche. Brands can also use Shorts to preview new launches, highlight product benefits, or show real-world use in less than 60 seconds.

Effective strategies include:

• Showing the product in action rather than explaining it
• Highlighting a single feature or benefit per Short
• Using before-and-after clips, quick demos, or lifestyle shots
• Reposting variations of the same product teaser to test what resonates
  

Most creators sell products through an ecommerce platform like Shopify, then use Shorts to consistently drive awareness, reinforce brand identity, and push viewers toward longer videos, livestreams, or product pages where conversion happens.

Used this way, Shorts become a low-friction merchandising channel that builds familiarity and demand over time, instead of relying on one-off promotional videos.

Join an affiliate program

Affiliate marketing pays creators for revenue associated with clicks to links hosted on their YouTube channel or another platform. With Shorts, creators can spark interest in seconds, then direct viewers to a link in their channel, pinned comment, or description for deeper context and conversion.

For example, the Shopify Affiliate Program partners with educators, influencers, and content creators who teach their audience about entrepreneurship. A 30-second Short showing a specific problem and how a tool solves it often converts better than a long, heavily produced review because it matches how viewers already consume short-form content.

Secure paid brand partnerships

Brand partnerships are another way you can monetize YouTube content. Instead of having YouTube sell ad space on your behalf, you work directly with brands to negotiate sponsorships and paid collaborations.

For Shorts creators, brand deals aren’t driven purely by follower count. Brands often look for niche authority and strong engagement, especially on short-form platforms where trust is built quickly. A creator consistently posting Shorts in a specific niche (e.g., skin care routines, small business tools, or fitness tips) can be more valuable to a brand than a generalist channel with a much larger audience.

Typically, brands pay creators to publish product reviews, tutorials, or short-form integrations that fit naturally into their existing content. Shorts work well here because they’re fast, repeatable, and easy to test, which means brands can see how an audience responds without committing to long campaigns.

Are YouTube Shorts worth it for creators?

Yes, but usually not for ad revenue alone.

If you search Reddit threads on r/NewTubers or r/PartneredYoutube, the consensus is that Shorts are great for quickly gaining subscribers and views, but long-form video remains the king of revenue.

Here is a look at the trade-offs:

YouTube Shorts

• Pros: Algorithm is explosive; you can get more than 10,000 views on a new channel overnight. Excellent for gaining subscribers rapidly.
• Cons: Low pay. With an average RPM of 3¢ to 7¢, you need millions of views to make good money. One million views might pay only $30 to $70, depending on viewer location and niche.

Long-form video

• Pros: High pay. RPMs typically range from $2 to more than $11. A video with 10,000 views could earn you more than a Short with 500,000 views.
• Cons: Much harder to grow initially and requires more production time and viewer retention skills.

Real creator results

The results for YouTube Shorts monetization are hit and miss, and it ultimately depends on your niche and how much traction you can gain early on.

Attorney and personal finance creator Erika Kullberg, who has more than 21 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, has publicly shared how Shorts compare to long-form earnings.

One of her 48-second YouTube Shorts on negotiating medical bills earned $106.85 from more than four million views. By contrast, a 12-minute long-form video about quitting her job generated $45,639.14 from 3.9 million views, illustrating how much more lucrative long-form content can be, even with similar view counts.

Here are some reported results from other creators who made money as beginners: 

• One creator made $500 for 11 million views on their YouTube Shorts.
• Another creator made $665 for 15 million views in just 30 days. 
• After a 28-day challenge, one creator generated 62 million views and began monetizing. 

When Shorts monetization is worth it

Shorts are a powerful tool if you view ad revenue as a “bonus” rather than your paycheck. They are worth prioritizing if:

• You can batch produce content. If you can film and edit five to 10 Shorts in a single afternoon, the volume can make up for the low pay per view.
• You sell something else. If your goal is to get eyes on a product, course, or merchandise, Shorts are the best top-of-funnel marketing tool on YouTube right now.
• You are brand-deal focused. Brands love the viral numbers Shorts generate. You can often negotiate higher fees for sponsorships than what YouTube pays you directly in ad revenue.

When to prioritize long-form content

If your primary goal is to live off AdSense revenue, long-form YouTube videos are the safer bet. Focus here if:

• Your niche is educational or technical. Viewers in finance, tech, or tutorials pay high CPMs and usually need more than 60 seconds to be satisfied.
• You want passive income. Long-form evergreen videos tend to earn money for years, whereas Shorts traffic often spikes and drops off quickly.