Let’s get real for a second. If you're creating YouTube Shorts, it's probably not just for the fun of it. You likely want to know how to monetize YouTube Shorts, right?
Sure, the creative rush is part of it. But if you're like me, you want traction to participate in the revenue sharing model.
Views, subs, income.
To help you gain social media clout on YouTube Shorts, I created this quick guide.
This guide isn’t just about how to earn a few bucks from ad revenue. It’s about building something sustainable, either for yourself or your clients.
In this post, I’ll break down the key to revenue streams, what YouTube’s eligibility standards are, and then share a few creative (and slightly unconventional) ways I’ve seen creators earn more from their Shorts.
Los geht's!
Why monetize YouTube Shorts?
Short-form videos are here to stay. You know it, I know it, and the Man on the Moon knows it. A solid Short form content strategy is key to success.
TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and live streams have changed the way we consume video. It isn’t a secret. Vertical video is popular.
But here’s the kicker: of those platforms, only YouTube pays you decently just for creating. At least, as of the time of writing this.
Being part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) means you’re eligible to earn from things like:
- Shorts ad revenue sharing
- Fan funding (Super Thanks, Super Chat, etc.)
- Channel memberships
- YouTube Premium revenue
- And of course, brand deals and affiliate marketing
And while ad revenue might not be life-changing on its own, it adds up quickly—especially when paired with a strong monetization strategy.
The main revenue streams for Shorts creators
Alright, let’s cut right to the chase. Here are the most common ways content creators can earn from Shorts right now:
1. Shorts ad revenue sharing
As of early 2023, YouTube replaced the old YouTube Shorts Fund with a revenue sharing model. That means you now earn a cut of the total ad revenue generated from the Shorts feed.
Here’s a quick and dirty summary of how it works:
- YouTube pools ad revenue from Shorts.
- They cover music licensing.
- What’s left is split between creators based on their share of shorts views across the platform.
- This payout comes from the creator pool, and you’ll see it show up in YouTube Studio under your earnings.
Pro tip: Use original sounds or your own music in your video content to avoid revenue getting diverted to music licensing.
2. YouTube Premium revenue
If someone watches your Shorts while using a YouTube Premium account, a portion of their subscription fee goes to you.
Sure, it’s not huge, but it does add up—especially with high-volume Shorts views.
3. Fan funding (Super Thanks, stickers, and chat)
YouTube has gone all-in on fan funding. This means fans can support you in other ways, not just by giving you views.
As a creator, once you’re eligible, fans can support you with:
- Super Thanks on Shorts (yep, it’s now available!)
- Super Chat and Super Stickers during live streams
- Channel memberships for exclusive perks and content
To be honest, this monetization strategy surprised me. I’ve had friends pull in a few hundred bucks a month from fan funding alone. And, to make this even more surprising, they’re huge creators. They’re just consistent.
Take that as a lesson.
YouTube Shorts monetization requirements
Before you can unlock all those revenue streams, YouTube has a few boxes for you to tick. You have to prove you’re eligible to join the YouTube Partner Program by meeting certain monetization requirements.
Fortunately, there are two paths to get there:
Path 2: For Shorts creators
- 1,000 subscribers
- 10 million shorts views in the last 90 days
Once you hit these numbers, it’s go time! Go to your left menu in YouTube Studio, hit “Earn,” and apply for the YPP.
Make sure your content is:
- Advertiser-friendly
- Follows YouTube’s community guidelines
- And doesn’t reuse other people’s YouTube videos without adding value
And FYI, you’ll need a linked AdSense account to receive payouts.
Pro tip: Submagic can help you reach those numbers. This tool can turn long form content into 15 or more clips. So, if you have 50 long form videos, you can generate over 750 clips— all with one push of a button.
How to actually monetize shorts sreatively
Okay, let’s get creative and brainstorm for a minute. Once you’re monetized, or even while you’re working toward it, here are some creative ways to monetize Shorts that don’t get talked about enough.
1. Affiliate marketing in disguise
Instead of saying “click the link in bio for 10% off,” create content that shows the product in use in a way that solves a problem. Then drop the link in the pinned comment.
This works especially well for Amazon affiliate programs. It’s still affiliate marketing with short-form content, but in a way that feels natural.
Keywords like “tools I use every day” or “this thing saved me time” convert better than generic pitches.
2. Turn one product into a series
Let’s say you’re using a tool (like Submagic 😉) to edit Shorts. Create a mini-series like this:
- Video 1: “Editing this 10-sec short in 3 clicks”
- Video 2: “How I added captions that match my brand”
- Video 3: “Boosted watch time using this hack”
This turns one product into three opportunities for engagement. And the more engagement opportunities you create, the more ad revenue you earn.
3. Exclusive drops + member content
If you’ve unlocked channel memberships, you’re sitting on a money-making opportunity. Consider offering members:
- Early access to tutorials
- Behind-the-scenes edits
- Exclusive templates.
For creators in niches like fitness, real estate, or education, this is a low-lift way to increase recurring income.
You can even test “template drops” or “caption packs” for paying members only. These tests will give you a better idea of which exclusive content to leverage as an alternative revenue stream.
How much can you make from YouTube Shorts?
Let’s manage expectations because not every creator will earn a full-time income from YouTube Shorts— and that’s okay.
The Shorts ad revenue sharing model isn’t a goldmine. However, it can generate consistent side income when combined with other strategies.
Most creators report RPMs (Revenue Per Mille) for Shorts between $0.05 to $0.07 per 1,000 views. So:
- 100,000 views = $5–$7
- 1 million views = ~$70
But layer in affiliate marketing, fan funding, sponsorships, merch, and other revenue-earning ideas, ding, ding ding! That’s where the real opportunity is.
If you're using tools that streamline editing, like a subtitle generator, you’ll save time and churn out content faster. Which is the real flex.
Bonus: Weird but genius ways to monetize Shorts
Okay, these might not be for everyone. But here are a few bonus ideas to help you monetize your YouTube accounts:
- Custom shoutouts or video responses: “Comment below and I’ll respond in a video.” Add a tip jar (aka fan funding) to increase interactive monetization.
- Mini digital products: Think “caption templates,” “Notion content calendars,” or “B-roll packs.” Create once, distribute and sell forever.
- Virtual workshops: Use Shorts to preview a free event, collect emails, and pitch a live workshop or Zoom session. Think of your Shorts as a lead magnet.
- AI voiceovers + characters: Some creators are using AI voices to create fictional characters or personalities and monetizing them through merch and member-only stories.
A quick recap:
If you want to monetize Shorts in 2025, here’s what to remember:
- Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) when you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Tap into ad revenue sharing, YouTube Premium, fan funding, and more inside YouTube Studio.
- Go beyond the platform’s algorithm: think affiliate marketing, channel memberships, brand partnerships, and product sales.
- Focus on scaling high-quality short-form content.
Monetization isn’t necessarily the end goal. The real prize? Building something that grows while you sleep.
YouTube Shorts monetization policies
Before you start counting your ad revenue, we have to discuss the YouTube Shorts Monetization policies. These policies make sure you’re playing by the rules.
Although they’re strict, they’re crystal clear. If you want to stay eligible for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and keep that revenue flowing, your short-form videos need to follow a few non-negotiables.
Here’s what the platform expects from YouTube Shorts creators:
1. Originality Is non-negotiable
You can’t just repost TikToks or slice up someone else’s podcast—that would be stealing. YouTube wants video content that adds value. It wants something fresh, transformed, or uniquely yours.
That means:
- No unedited reuploads of TV shows or YouTube videos
- No compilation videos without commentary or transformation
- No AI-generated content that’s 100% synthetic (unless it’s used creatively)
If you’re remixing or stitching, be sure to add your voice, perspective, or something that makes it unmistakably you.
2. Advertiser-friendly content only
To qualify for ad revenue sharing, your content must stay within the bounds of YouTube’s community guidelines. That means:
- No shocking or violent content
- No misleading thumbnails or titles
- No adult themes, hate speech, or controversial politics
If you're not sure whether your video is safe, you can always check inside YouTube Studio to see how it’s categorized before pushing it live.
4. Watch out for music Licensing
If you're using trending sounds or songs, know that YouTube deducts music usage costs before creators get their cut of Shorts ad revenue. That’s a core tenant of the new revenue sharing model. Tapping into music licensing can shrink your earnings.
I usually try to use:
- No music at all (my voiceover only)
- Royalty-free music
- Or original tracks
That way, more of the creator pool funds actually end up in my payouts (and my pockets!)
The Importance of Playing by the Rules
Sticking to YouTube Shorts monetization policies is how you set your channel up for success.
As tempting as it is to chase trends or cut corners, the algorithm will eventually catch up to you. You don’t want to lose your ad revenue just when things start taking off.
So yeah. Eligibility requirements are the starting line. But maintaining your eligibility status? That’s the long game. It’s where creators who treat their channels like a business—not a hobby—really win.
Ready to streamline your workflows and make better, higher quality edits faster? Try Submagic today.
