So, you want to start making money from your YouTube Shorts. Let's cut right to the chase. The main way to do that is by getting into the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). There are a couple of paths to get there, but the big goal for full ad revenue is hitting 1,000 subscribers and racking up 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.
Don't let those numbers intimidate you. There's also a more accessible tier to get your foot in the door, which unlocks fan-funding features with just 500 subscribers and 3 million views.
Understanding Your Monetization Journey
Welcome to the wild, fast-paced world of YouTube Shorts! This is where quick, snappy videos can explode a channel's growth and open up some serious revenue streams. Think of this guide as your roadmap, breaking down exactly what you need to do to start earning.
We'll get into why these rules exist and how they help build a healthy ecosystem where creators can actually thrive. It's not just about hitting random numbers; it's about proving you can build and hold an audience.
The Core Milestones to Target
Your entire strategy should circle back to the two main goals that unlock the YouTube Partner Program. These benchmarks are YouTube's way of making sure you've built a real community before you start monetizing.
- Subscriber Count: This isn't just a vanity metric. It shows you have a loyal crew that actually wants to see what you post next.
- View Threshold: This number proves your videos are resonating and reaching beyond your core followers to a wider audience.
Of course, none of this matters if you don't nail the basics of creating and posting good content. If you're just starting out, our guide on uploading YouTube Shorts is the perfect place to build a solid foundation.
And remember, consistency is everything. Growing your channel to meet these requirements doesn't happen by accident; it's the result of an effective content marketing strategy that keeps you on track.
To make things even clearer, here's a quick breakdown of the two main entry points into the YouTube Partner Program for Shorts creators.
At-a-Glance Guide to YouTube Partner Program Tiers
| Monetization Tier | Subscriber Goal | Performance Goal (Choose One) |
|---|---|---|
| Early Access | 500 | 3 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. |
| Full YPP | 1,000 | 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. |
The "Early Access" tier is a fantastic stepping stone. It unlocks features like Super Thanks, Super Chat, and Channel Memberships, letting your most dedicated fans support you directly. The "Full YPP" tier is the main event, giving you a cut of the ad revenue from the Shorts feed.
By the time you're done with this guide, you'll have a crystal-clear picture of the journey ahead and the confidence to start chasing those monetization goals.
The Two Tiers for Joining the YouTube Partner Program
The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is your official ticket to making money on the platform. Thankfully, it’s no longer an all-or-nothing game. For Shorts creators, YouTube wisely rolled out two different entry points, letting you start earning sooner and scale up as your channel finds its footing.
Think of it like leveling up in a video game. The first level gets you access to monetization through Fan Funding features. This is all about helping smaller or newer channels build a direct financial connection with their most dedicated viewers.
The whole idea here is to let you earn directly from your community's support with features like Super Thanks, Super Chat, and Channel Memberships—long before you're pulling in the massive views needed for ad revenue.
To hit this first milestone, you just need to meet a much more accessible set of requirements.
The Fan Funding Tier
This first tier is your stepping stone into the world of monetization. It's a perfect fit for creators who've built a loyal community but haven't quite hit the huge view counts needed for ad revenue sharing.
The requirements are pretty straightforward:
- 500 Subscribers: A solid base of dedicated followers.
- 3 Million Shorts Views: Racked up within the last 90 days.
- 3 Public Uploads: You need at least three public posts within the last 90 days.
Once you hit these numbers, you can apply to the YPP and start earning directly from your fans. This tier is a huge motivational boost and gives you an early income stream while you grind toward the next big goal.
The Full Monetization Tier
This is the main event. This is the tier that unlocks the holy grail: full ad revenue sharing. Getting here means your channel has proven it has serious reach and engagement, making you eligible for a cut of the ads shown between Shorts in the feed.
To unlock full ad revenue sharing—which includes both Shorts ad income and YouTube Premium revenue—the bar is set higher. You’ll need at least 1,000 subscribers and either 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days or 4,000 public watch hours on long-form videos in the last year. You can dig deeper into these monetization paths over on Shopify's creator blog. Meeting these higher YouTube Shorts monetization requirements signals that your channel is ready for the big leagues.
How Shorts Ad Revenue Sharing Actually Works
So you've met the monetization requirements for YouTube Shorts. Awesome. But how does the cash actually get from the advertiser to your bank account? It’s not as straightforward as a traditional YouTube video, where an ad just runs before your content.
Instead, Shorts uses a unique pooling system. Think of it like a giant potluck where all the ad money goes into one big bowl for everyone to share.
Every time someone watches an ad between Shorts in the feed, that revenue gets tossed into a collective fund called the Creator Pool. It's not about an ad on your specific Short, but about the total ad revenue generated across the entire Shorts feed.
Before anyone gets paid, YouTube first dips into this pool to cover music licensing costs. This is a huge deal, as it makes sure artists get paid for the tracks that power so many viral trends. What's left over is what gets split among creators.
This infographic gives you a bird's-eye view of how creators can earn from their Shorts.
As you can see, ad revenue is just one slice of the pie, sitting alongside fan funding and brand partnerships.
Your Share of the Creator Pool
Okay, so the music labels have been paid. Now what? YouTube divvies up the rest of the Creator Pool based on your channel's slice of the total Shorts viewership pie.
If your Shorts pulled in, say, 1% of all eligible views across the platform in a given month, then you're allocated 1% of the money from that pool. Simple as that.
From there, you pocket 45% of your allocated share. YouTube keeps the other 55%. This is a flip from the long-form video split, and it’s largely because of the complex (and expensive) world of music licensing. Understanding the key differences in Shorts vs long-form video monetization is crucial for setting realistic earning goals.
Let's run the numbers. Imagine the Creator Pool has $116,400 left after music costs are covered. If your Shorts accounted for 0.25% of all views that month, your allocated slice would be about $291. After the 45% split, you'd take home roughly $131. It’s a model that rewards massive viewership, making every single view count toward a collective payout.
Navigating Essential Policies and Account Integrity
Hitting your subscriber and view goals is just the first heat. Now you have to pass inspection. Before you can start earning, your channel needs a clean bill of health according to YouTube’s rulebook. Think of it as the pre-flight check for your monetization journey.
These rules aren’t just suggestions; they’re hard requirements that protect the entire YouTube ecosystem—creators, viewers, and advertisers. Breaking them is the fastest way to get your YPP application denied, no matter how many views you have.
The Foundation of a Monetizable Channel
First things first, you have to play by YouTube’s core policies. That means keeping your channel free of major violations and making sure your account is secure.
Here’s your essential checklist:
- No Active Community Guideline Strikes: Your channel has to be in good standing. An active strike for something like spam, scams, or harmful content is an automatic disqualifier.
- Enable Two-Step Verification: YouTube demands this extra layer of security on your Google Account. It’s non-negotiable and protects your channel from getting hijacked.
- Link an Active AdSense Account: This is how you’ll actually get paid. You’ll need to connect a single, approved Google AdSense account to your channel when you apply.
Content and Copyright Compliance
Once your account health is in order, the real scrutiny begins: your content. YouTube dives deep into your Shorts to make sure they’re advertiser-friendly and don't step on any copyright toes. This is a massive piece of the puzzle for YouTube Shorts monetization requirements.
For example, using copyrighted music in a Short that's longer than one minute can make it ineligible for monetization, which is why you see so many creators sticking to original audio. Little details like this, along with two-step verification and where you’re located, all shape whether you can participate.
You can dig deeper into the future of Shorts monetization on Subscribr.ai to stay ahead of the curve.
Getting these rules down pat ensures your channel is set up for a smooth, successful review. It’s all about building a solid foundation from the start.
What to Expect from the YPP Application Process
This screenshot shows the "Earn" tab inside your YouTube Studio. Once you've hit your goals, this is ground zero for joining the YPP and starting to make money from your content.
You've done the hard work—you hit the subscriber and watch time numbers, and your channel is in good standing. Now for the final step: officially applying to the YouTube Partner Program. This is where you formally ask YouTube to start paying you for your efforts.
The application itself is pretty straightforward. You'll kick things off by reviewing and agreeing to the Base Terms, which are just the foundational rules of the program. After that, you'll connect a Google AdSense account. Think of AdSense as your bank—it’s where all your YouTube earnings will be sent before they make their way to you.
The Human Review Period
Once you hit "submit," your application doesn't just get rubber-stamped by a machine. It goes into a queue to be looked at by a real person at YouTube. They'll do a deep dive into your channel to make sure everything lines up with their policies.
This isn't just a quick glance. A reviewer will check out your channel's overall theme, your most-watched videos, and your newest uploads to get a real feel for what you're all about. This manual check is how YouTube keeps quality high across the platform.
"During the review, our team of human reviewers checks your channel as a whole to see if it follows our YouTube channel monetization policies. We'll get back to you with a decision once your channel is reviewed (typically in about 1 month)." – YouTube Help
That one-month timeline is just an estimate. Sometimes it’s quicker, but it’s best to mentally prepare for a bit of a wait.
If you don't get approved on the first try, don't sweat it. YouTube will actually tell you which policies you violated. You'll have a 30-day waiting period before you can apply again, which gives you plenty of time to fix the issues and make your channel even stronger for the next review.
Exploring Monetization Beyond Ad Revenue
Getting into the YouTube Partner Program and tapping into the Shorts ad revenue pool is a huge milestone, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. Think of ad revenue as your base salary. Once you’re in, you unlock a whole suite of powerful tools that let you earn directly from your biggest fans—these are like your high-value commissions.
This direct support, often called Fan Funding, gives you a much more stable and predictable income stream. It’s less about chasing monster view counts and more about building a real community that genuinely wants to see you succeed. The best part? These tools are available as soon as you hit that first monetization tier.
Activating Your Direct Income Tools
Once you’re in the YPP, you can flip the switch on several features that let viewers support you with a single click. These are gold for creators who have already built up a loyal following.
- Channel Memberships: Let your fans join your inner circle. You can offer exclusive perks like custom badges or members-only videos for a recurring monthly fee.
- Super Thanks: Viewers can buy a fun, one-time animation that pops up on your Short to show some love and appreciation.
- Super Chats & Stickers: If you do live streams, this is a game-changer. Fans can pay to have their comments highlighted or send animated stickers, making them stand out in the chat.
You can get creative with how you integrate these. Maybe you make a Short to give a shout-out to someone who sent a Super Thanks or to tease a new video that’s only for channel members. While YouTube is your home base, it never hurts to understand proven strategies to earn money on social media platforms for fresh ideas. And if you're looking to really level up, check out these 5 ways AI boosts video monetization.
Common Questions About Shorts Monetization
Jumping into Shorts monetization can feel like learning a new language, with its own set of rules and quirks. Let's tackle some of the most common questions that pop up so you can move forward with confidence.
Do I Need a Separate AdSense Account?
Nope, you can breathe easy on this one. You only need a single Google AdSense account for your entire YouTube channel.
This one account is the central hub for all your earnings, whether they come from long-form videos, Super Thanks, or the new Shorts ad revenue sharing. When you apply for the YPP, you’ll just link your existing AdSense account or set one up then.
What Are Valid Shorts Views?
This is a big one. To hit that 10 million view target, the views have to be valid public Shorts views.
What does that mean in practice?
- Views on Shorts set to private, unlisted, or that you've deleted won't count.
- Any views you get from paid advertising campaigns (like running Google Ads to your Short) are also out.
The bottom line is that your views have to be organic. They need to come from real people discovering your public content for them to count toward YPP eligibility.
What Happens If My Channel Drops Below the Requirements?
So you made it into the YPP—congratulations! But what if your numbers dip a bit afterward?
Don't panic. YouTube won't kick you out immediately if your subscriber or view counts fall below the entry thresholds. The key is to stay active. If you go dark and stop uploading anything for six months or more, YouTube might decide to pull monetization from your channel.
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