YouTube Shorts Monetization Guide

YouTube Shorts is one of the ways to grow your channel faster and YouTube is pushing them harder than ever. But what about the money?

In this guide, you’ll learn how Shorts monetization works, how much you can earn per million views, and how to get paid faster with MilX, even before YouTube sends your check.

If you’re posting Shorts (or thinking about it), now’s the time to take them seriously. Let’s dive in.

YouTube Shorts = Growth Mode Activated

If you’re looking for fast exposure, algorithm reach, and a shot at massive channel growth, YouTube Shorts are one of the best bets right now.

Shorts are no longer just a side experiment. They’re at the core of YouTube’s content strategy going forward. The platform is investing heavily in multi-format content, and Shorts are leading the charge. Let’s break it down.

YouTube’s Full Focus on Shorts

Over the last few years, YouTube has positioned Shorts as a direct response to the vertical video boom. But in 2024, the platform took things even further:

• YouTube increased the Shorts time limit to 3 minutes (up from 60 seconds), starting in late 2024. This major update gives creators more room to build storytelling arcs, include educational tips, or add layered content without having to split videos.
• The platform is integrating Shorts more deeply into its interface, showing them in home feeds, on creator channels, on YouTube TV, and even pushing them in the Suggested videos of long-form content.
• YouTube officially encourages multi-format creation, supporting a mix of long-form, Shorts, livestreams, Community posts, and now podcasts. Shorts are no longer just a tool to go viral. They are a stepping stone to long-term channel building.

Why Shorts Are Critical for Growth

YouTube’s algorithm treats Shorts differently than long-form content. With Shorts, you’re not fighting for subscriber-based traffic. You’re playing on a massive stage where content is pushed to viewers who don’t know you yet.

That means:

• High discovery potential. Shorts get shown to new audiences constantly.
• Low friction for viewers. They can swipe, like, and follow in seconds.
• Quick turnaround for testing. Creators can try 3-5 ideas a week and rapidly refine what works.

For newer channels, this is the fastest way to get noticed. For established channels, Shorts can unlock a new segment of subscribers who prefer short-form content.

Trends You Can’t Ignore

• CPMs for Shorts are increasing globally. While still lower than long videos, YouTube’s ad revenue pool for Shorts has grown as more advertisers target vertical content. Remember to learn more about the The 2025 YouTube Shift: AIR Insights & Data for Creators.
• Channels focused on Shorts are growing faster than ever. Many creators gain tens or hundreds of thousands of subscribers in months, simply by posting consistently.
• Cross-format growth is real. A Short that goes viral can drive traffic to your long-form content or livestreams. YouTube’s analytics now track this kind of viewer journey.

Why the 3-Minute Shorts Update Matters

The 3-minute expansion is a bid deal. It means Shorts are no longer restricted to ultra-fast entertainment or single-joke clips. Creators can now:

• Deliver full tips/tutorials in one video.
• Build story-driven content with multiple hooks.
• Add more depth to their content without switching to long-form.

It also means creators can reuse or repurpose TikTok videos or Instagram Reels if they fit the time limit, which boosts cross-platform efficiency.

You don’t need high-end production. You don’t need a huge budget. You just need a strong idea, a fast hook, and the willingness to test and iterate.

But What About the Money?

Let’s address the big question every creator has: Can you get money from YouTube Shorts?

The short answer is yes, but it works differently than traditional YouTube monetization.

Before 2023, Shorts monetization relied on the YouTube Shorts Fund, which was limited and competitive. But now, YouTube has rolled out ad revenue sharing for Shorts, giving creators a more consistent and scalable way to earn.

Here’s how it works:

• The YouTube Shorts ad revenue model shares a pool of earnings based on your views, but it’s still evolving.
• The revenue from those ads goes into a shared pool.
• That pool is split between music rights holders and eligible creators, based on viewership and engagement.

So unlike long-form videos, where ad revenue is tied directly to your individual video, Shorts revenue is pooled and distributed across all monetized Shorts on the platform.

It’s not a perfect system, but it’s evolving fast. And as advertisers increasingly target vertical video, the total ad pool is getting larger.

Remember to familiarize yourself with YouTube Shorts Monetization Policy.

Once you’re in the program, Shorts monetization is automatic.

Get Paid Faster for Your Views

Don’t wait for YouTube’s monthly payouts. With MilX, you unlock your income early, no delays, no borders. Start collecting your YouTube earnings now at MilX for free.

How Much YouTube Shorts Pay for 1 million Views?

Now for the numbers. 

Note: Shorts revenue depends on several factors, including region, audience, niche, and how many other monetized Shorts are in the pool, so the numbers may vary. But here are averages:

If your Short gets 1 million views, and accounts for 0.25% of all monetized Shorts views that month in the U.S., your estimated share from the creator fund might be around $291. After YouTube takes its cut, you'd receive about $131, which equals an RPM of $0.13.

That’s a wide range, but the reason is simple: Shorts CPMs vary a lot.

• In some regions like the US, UK, or Australia, CPMs can be higher, up to $0.30 or more.
• In lower-CPM regions, payouts can be as low as $0.01 per thousand views.
• Niche matters too. Educational content tends to earn more than meme compilations.

So while 1 million views on a Short might bring in less than a long video, Shorts offer scale and speed. You can produce and publish them faster, test more ideas, and potentially rack up millions of views across multiple videos in a shorter time.

The key mindset? Don’t rely on one viral Short to pay your bills. Think of Shorts as a volume game, more content, more chances to get picked up by the algorithm, more exposure that feeds into other revenue streams (like long-form, merch, or brand deals).

YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements

If you want to earn money directly from your YouTube Shorts, you’ll need to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), just like with long-form content. But the path to monetization has some unique rules when it comes to Shorts. As of 2025, there are two ways to become eligible for the YPP:

Option 1: The Shorts Path

Ideal for creators focused mostly on short-form videos.

To qualify:

• Reach 10 million public Shorts views over the last 90 days.
• Have at least 1,000 subscribers.
• Follow all of YouTube’s monetization policies (no reused content, original creations only, etc.).

This is the fastest route for creators going all-in on vertical content. If your Shorts consistently hit 100K+ views, it’s a realistic goal within a few months.

Option 2: The Long-Form Path

Ideal if you’re mixing Shorts with regular videos.

To qualify:

• Reach 4,000 public watch hours over the last 12 months;
• Have at least 1,000 subscribers.
• Meet the same content and policy requirements.

This route gives more flexibility if you’re building a multi-format channel.

What Happens After You Qualify?

Once you're accepted into the YPP, you’ll be able to:

• Earn ad revenue from Shorts, based on the shared revenue pool.
• Monetize your long-form videos through pre-roll, mid-roll, and display ads.

YouTube also begins tracking your revenue from Shorts separately in YouTube Studio, so you can monitor how much they’re bringing in each month.

What Doesn’t Count Toward Shorts Monetization?

It’s important to know that not all views are treated equally. YouTube specifically excludes:

• Reused content (clips from TikTok, Reels, etc. with logos/watermarks). But reused content can be allowed as long as it’s clearly transformed and offers viewers a noticeable difference from the original.
• Unoriginal compilations.
• Private, deleted, or unlisted Shorts.

Only public, original Shorts count toward your 10 million views requirement, so always create with monetization in mind.

Yes, monetization on YouTube Shorts is real, but you’ll need consistent content and strong engagement to see real returns.

How to Earn Money from YouTube Shorts Without Monetization

Even if you’re not in the YouTube Partner Program yet, you can still make money from Shorts. Here’s how:

• Brand deals & sponsorships. Companies pay creators to feature products in their Shorts, even small creators with niche audiences can land micro-influencer deals. 
• Affiliate marketing. Promote a product with a unique link and earn a cut of every sale. Shorts are great for quick product demos or recommendations. Try affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, or niche-specific tools.
• Drive traffic to paid content. Use Shorts to funnel viewers to your long-form videos, online courses, Patreon, or merch store. One viral Short can bring thousands of eyes to your other income streams.
• Offer services or freelancing. If you're a designer, editor, musician, or coach, use Shorts as a teaser for your skills. Include contact info or a link to your site or booking page.
• Crowdfunding or fan support. Platforms like Buy Me a Coffee, Ko-fi, or Patreon let your fans support you directly. Create a call-to-action in your Shorts description and pinned comments.

Monetize Smarter with MilX

Track, manage, and withdraw your YouTube money, all in one place. Try MilX for free and take control of your creator income today.

8 Pro Tips: How to Make Shorts Go Viral

The algorithm rewards engagement, retention, and watch time, even in 15-second clips. Here’s how to give your Shorts the best shot at blowing up:

#1: Hook Your Viewer in the First 2 Seconds

Most viewers decide within seconds whether to keep watching or swipe. Start with movement, a bold statement, or a curiosity trigger, something that makes them stay.

Instead of: “Hey guys, today I’m going to…”
Try: “This hack will save you hours, and here’s how.”

#2: Use Curiosity Loops

Keep people watching by teasing what’s coming.
Phrases like:

• “Wait for it…”

• “Here’s what happened next…”

• “But then this changed everything…”

These encourage viewers to stick around longer, which boosts your watch time.

#3: Add Captions

Add clear, dynamic text captions to make your content accessible and engaging without audio. Use a large font, bright contrast, and keep it fast-paced.

#4: Use Trending Sounds and Topics

Browse the Shorts feed to spot what’s trending in your niche. Jumping on sounds, formats, or challenges early gives you a better chance of being recommended.

#5: Start with a Strong Visual

Avoid slow fades or intros. Use bright colors, close-ups, motion, or a face looking directly at the camera. A striking first frame gets clicks.

#6: Post at the Right Time

Experiment with posting when your audience is most active. For many creators, this is late afternoon or evening in their target time zone. Use YouTube Analytics to find your sweet spot.

#7: Optimize the Title and Description

Unlike long-form videos, Shorts don’t live or die by click-through rate. Viewers don’t choose to watch a Short—they encounter it. This flips the script on metadata. Your title and description aren't tools to attract viewers, they’re signals to the algorithm.

The job of your metadata is to say: “Hey algorithm, here’s what this video is about and who it’s for.” That means hitting keywords that reflect your niche, content type, and likely audience without sounding like spam.

• Instead of: “Funny short – must watch 😂😂😂”
• Try: “Dog refuses to give back the ball – training tip gone wrong”

Think like a matchmaker, not a salesman. You're not selling the video to a viewer—you’re helping the system find the right audience who’ll actually stick around, laugh, comment, and share.

Mention the trend or sound in your description. It gives you a shot at riding the wave while telling the algo, “This belongs in that conversation.”

#8: Test Often, Fail Fast, Repeat

Not every Short will hit. That’s okay. The key is consistency and experimentation. Try 3-5 formats: storytelling, reactions, quick how-tos, opinions, behind-the-scenes, and let your analytics tell you what’s working.

But don’t stop at one Short a week. Post consistently, ideally 2-3 Shorts per day. This gives the algorithm more data to work with and drastically increases your chances of hitting a viral trend.

Creators who commit to daily uploads often start seeing real traction within 2-4 weeks, including boosts in views, new subscribers, and monetization progress. The more you post, the faster you learn what resonates, and the sooner you break through.

Need more tips? Remember to check out 18 Hacks To Make YouTube Shorts Go Viral.

Collect Your YouTube Shorts Revenue in Advance Through MilX

Even if your Shorts start getting serious views, one big frustration remains, waiting to get paid. YouTube's payout schedule is slow and can hold you back. That’s where MilX can help.

What is MilX?

MilX is a free finance app built for creators. It gives you freedom to:

• Get paid early. No more waiting for YouTube’s monthly payouts. MilX lets you unlock revenue in advance, even from Shorts.
• Transfer funds in crypto or fiat. Receive your income in USD, EUR, BTC, USDT, or 40+ other currencies.
• Unlock extra cash for growth. Access up to 6 months of future earnings to fund content, gear, or campaigns.
• Automate payouts to your team. Set up zero-fee payments to editors, collaborators, or freelancers in seconds.
• Benefit from the lowest transfer costs in the creator economy.

Start using MilX today and turn your views into cash, faster, smarter, and without borders.