In a nutshell
- Creators on YouTube can monetize YouTube Shorts.
- Channels can monetize Shorts if they adhere to YouTube’s ad-friendly policies, but only after meeting the required thresholds for views and subscribers.
- Uploading high-quality Shorts consistently will maximize your monetization potential.
YouTube Shorts, the platform’s foray into short-form video content, has rapidly gained traction in its few short years. Since its inception in 2020, Shorts has evolved into a viable avenue for content creators to showcase their creativity, connect with audiences and monetize their content. Its vertical format, reminiscent of the formats popularized by TikTok, offers creators a unique space to captivate audiences in bite-sized, easily consumable content.
Today, Shorts have become a focal point for creators seeking diverse ways to engage their audience and boost their overall revenue. With the immense growth of Shorts’ viewership and the increasing number of creators diving into this format, it’s essential that creators understand how Shorts monetization works so that they can leverage the platform as a source of income.
Here’s we will walk you through how Shorts monetization works on YouTube and offer you some tips on how to maximize your Shorts earnings.
How it works
Eligibility for monetization
Before creators can start monetizing their Shorts, they first need to get accept into the YouTube Partner Program. To do this, they need:
1,000 subscribers
AND
10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days
Once meeting these two requirements, creators can sign up for the YouTube Partner Program. However, this is just to become eligible for monetization. Creators need to follow YouTube policies and guidelines monetize their content and keep it monetized.
Available revenue streams
Once qualified, creators can access different revenue streams, including:
- Ads: Ads displayed within Shorts contribute to creators’ revenue based on factors like ad impressions and engagement.
- Channel memberships: Offers viewers the option to become channel members for exclusive perks in exchange for a monthly membership fee.
- Super Chat and Super Thanks: Enable viewers to purchase highlighted messages or express gratitude through monetary contributions during livestreams or uploaded Shorts
- Shopping features: Allows eligible creators to showcase and sell their branded merchandise directly from their channel
YouTube policies on monetization
YouTube has specific policies that dictate whether a YouTube Shorts is suitable for monetization. Here are a few significant policies to keep in mind:
- Original and safe content: YouTube requires Shorts content to be original and comply with community guidelines, avoiding content that infringes on copyright, promotes violence, hate speech, harassment or explicit content.
- Ad-friendly content: Shorts must adhere to advertiser-friendly content guidelines, ensuring they don’t contain sensitive topics, controversial issues or explicit material that might limit ad placement and monetization options.
- Avoiding copyrighted material: Shorts creators need to ensure their content does not contain copyrighted material without proper permissions. The use of copyrighted music, visuals or any other content could lead to demonetization or removal.
- Compliance with community guidelines: YouTube Shorts must adhere to the platform’s community guidelines regarding hate speech, harmful or dangerous content, harassment and other prohibited content types to be eligible for monetization.
For more guidelines on advertiser-friendly content, visit YouTube’s help page. Violating these guidelines can result in demonetization, limited ad placement or even the removal of content from the platform. Therefore, creators must understand and comply with YouTube’s policies to maximize their Shorts’ monetization potential and stay in good stantding with the platform.
Tips to maximize your earning potential
It may seem like a daunting task to become eligible for monetization, especially if you’re just starting out. But don’t worry; there’s only one real secret to success on YouTube Shorts: Make good content.
What’s “good” all depends on the audience you’re targeting. Creators should spend as much time on producing engaging, high-quality Shorts as they do figuring out how they will get it in front of the right audience. Here are a few tips for optimizing your Shorts content:
- Consistent uploads: Regularly post compelling Shorts to maintain viewer interest and increase watch time.
- Audience engagement: Encourage interactions through comments, likes and shares to enhance viewer engagement and watch hours.
- Captivating thumbnails and titles: Create eye-catching thumbnails and engaging titles to attract viewers and encourage clicks.
- Utilizing trends and hashtags: Leverage trending topics and relevant hashtags to increase visibility and audience reach.
- Creating engaging content hooks: Start Shorts with attention-grabbing elements to retain viewer interest and encourage longer watch times.
For more information about the YouTube Shorts algorithm, check out our article featuring information straight from the product director of Shorts.
Create and make more
YouTube Shorts presents a valuable opportunity for long-form creators to diversify their revenue streams and engage with audiences in new ways. Understanding the intricacies of YouTube Shorts monetization is vital for creators aiming to leverage the format effectively. To do this, creators need to not only operate within YouTube’s policies and guidelines, but also creating engaging, authentic content and marketing it effectively to viewers.
Keep exploring and creating content that engages your audience, and the financial growth will inevitably follow.
