Right now, short video formats are one of the most popular trends in the universe of content creation. Such videos on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have really taken off, thanks to changes in consumer behaviors and new technology. A brief vertical video format (up to 60 seconds) is perfect for a fast-paced, smartphone-first audience, even on YouTube, initially made for much longer video types. YouTube Shorts have provided a new way to connect with viewers and attract new audiences. Even more, they have become an essential tool to help creators monetize their YouTube channels.

In this article, we are going to look at how YouTube Shorts can boost your channel revenue, cover monetization options for Shorts and YouTube in general, and show you how creators can start earning through alternative methods, even if they do not meet Google’s official requirements.

Why YouTube Shorts Matter

There are several reasons why posting YouTube Shorts is vital for your channel:

• The algorithms favor them and increase your discoverability. YouTube’s algorithm promotes Shorts on the platform, making them more visible. Posting regularly helps creators get on the “Shorts shelf,” designed to showcase this type of content. In addition, the website also suggests more full-format videos on the home page for viewers who engage with your Shorts.
• They help to grow engagement rates and retention. As viewers spend less time on longer videos, Shorts are a great way to grab their attention. YouTube Shorts get 5.91% more engagement than other short video platforms, making them one of the most effective formats for grabbing viewers’ attention. This means more people will likely interact with your content and stick around.
• They have a higher potential for virality. The bite-sized Shorts are easy to share. If your content strikes a chord with viewers, they are more likely to repost and send it across platforms, which boosts its reach and makes your content more visible.

YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements

Can you monetize YouTube Shorts? Yes, absolutely! First, let us look at the basic requirements to be eligible for the official YouTube Partner Program (YPP).

You can become a part of YPP creators once you reach 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 public watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. After that, you can access revenue-sharing benefits, namely a share of revenue from ads that run on their video. You also get a part of subscription fees from YouTube Premium, donations from livestreams, channel memberships and fan funding, merchandise and shopping features under your videos, and access to YouTube support. Your account should be in the YouTube monetization countries, as some of them do not take part in the program.

There is also an extended YPP, introduced in the middle of 2023, which offers early access to monetization features for creators who do not yet meet the higher requirements of the standard YPP. However, the benefits are more limited. You get early access to live stream features like Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, and also Channel Memberships, as well as shopping features. The ad and YouTube revenues are not yet available for this type of YPP. The extended YPP gives smaller creators a head start on monetizing and growing their revenue streams before they reach the higher thresholds.

In 2021, YouTube launched the YouTube Shorts Fund, a $100 million initiative to reward creators for making Shorts. But it was only a temporary program. In 2023, YouTube switched to a revenue-sharing model for monetizing Shorts as part of the YPP mentioned above.

How Much YouTube Shorts Pay

Generally, YouTube Shorts pay less than long-form videos on the platform. The average earnings for 1,000 views on YouTube Shorts are usually somewhere between $0.01 and $0.07. Most creators report figures in this range. This means that for 1 million views, creators can expect to earn between $10 and $70 on average. One particular example demonstrated the earnings of $99.87 for 3.1 million views, which equates to approximately $32 per 1 million views or $0.032 per 1,000 views. Compared to usual YouTube videos, which typically range from $1 to $20 per 1,000 views, the monetization of Shorts is lower.

Since creators get less money for Shorts, they have to get a lot of views to make a decent income from ads in this format. However, the viral potential is a great way to grow your channel quickly and unlock additional monetization methods like sponsorships, brand deals, and fan support. It also redirects views to the full videos, which can be used as a promotional tool and a source of income. In addition, these are factors that influence the monetization rates for both long and short-format videos:

• The creator’s location
• Audience demographics
• Ad engagement
• Use of copyrighted music (which reduces the share)
• Overall performance compared to other Shorts creators

How to Monetize YouTube Shorts

There are a few ways you can make money from your YouTube Shorts, even if you still need to meet the requirements for the official YouTube monetization programs or would like to earn more than YPP pays.

Affiliate Marketing

One of the simplest ways to monetize Shorts is through affiliate marketing. By promoting products or services in your Shorts and using affiliate links, you earn commissions when your viewers make purchases. This is especially effective for product reviews, tutorials, or recommendations. Shorts are designed to be brief and engaging, making them perfect for concise product demonstrations, quick reviews, or recommendations. With AI Video Cut, you can create such videos in a couple of minutes, for example, with “Instructions,” “Product features,” or “Positive highlights” prompts.

💡Good to know: If you want to learn more about AI Video Cut prompts collection and choose the one that fits your needs best, read our guide on how to find the best prompt for your content goals!

Brand Sponsorships and Collaborations

If your Shorts generate engagement, concentrate on specific topics, and attract a niche audience, there is a good chance that you will be able to collaborate with brands and create sponsored content together. Even smaller creators can get deals if their content is a good fit for the target audience of a company. Even micro-influencers can get brand deals, as brands are increasingly looking for those who connect on a more personal level with their audience.

Selling Merchandise, Own Products and Services

Similarly to the previous point, Shorts can be great for promoting your own products, services, or brand. They are a great way to engage viewers with short, bite-sized content. People like to see how products are made or learn more about the brand behind the product. Try different approaches in your Shorts, such as product showcases, tests, or sales announcements, and see what your audience responds to the most – track performance metrics to understand what attracts traffic and conversions.

Crowdfunding and Exclusive Content for Donations

Crowdfunding and platforms like Patreon have become popular ways for creators to get direct financial support from their fans. YouTube Shorts can get your audience engaged and encourage them to donate to you on these platforms. Crowdfunding helps you build a community of supporters who feel more involved in your creative journey. Fans who contribute financially often feel more connected to the creator and are more likely to stick around and keep engaging with your content over time. Offering exclusive content, perks, or early access to your most loyal supporters can encourage fans to get involved.

How to Create Engaging Shorts with AI Video Cut

It can take a lot of time to produce shorts, but now AI-powered tools like AI Video Cut make it easier than ever to create high-quality, engaging shorts from existing videos and repurpose your content. Here is how it can help:

• Automatic scene detection: AI Video Cut can identify the best, most engaging moments from your long-form content and automatically trim them into shorts.
• Vertical format optimization: It converts your videos into the vertical, mobile-friendly format that YouTube Shorts requires. You can also choose other aspect ratios that fit your needs.
• Captions generation: AI Video Cut quickly adds captions in a chosen format – no advanced editing skills required.

The process of creating shorts is very simple:

1. Add a link or upload a video that you want to turn into Shorts.
2. Choose the clip length and aspect ratio.
3. Select the video type that fits your needs.
4. Choose the number of clips you want to get as the result.
5. Select the speech language and the captions style (or turn them off).
6. Click “Submit” and wait for your file to be processed.

Enjoy your results! You will get the chosen number of clips that you can later regenerate if you wish.

In sum, YouTube Shorts allow creators to reach more people and make money on YouTube. They have a considerable reach, are easy to watch, and are boosted by the algorithm, so they are a powerful tool for creators to grow their audience and income. So, why not use this opportunity to promote and monetize your content? Good luck!