If you’re making YouTube Shorts, this update is huge. YouTube is phasing out the old Shorts Fund and now paying creators through ad revenue sharing. That means every view has value, and more of those views now put money directly in your pocket. Here’s how the new system works and how you can start earning more from your Shorts in 2025.
1. Shift from Shorts Fund, Moving to Ad Revenue Sharing
Before, creators earned one-time bonuses from the Shorts Fund. Now, you’ll make money from ads that play between Shorts in the Shorts feed. Every view can bring you income.
YouTube uses a revenue split: creators get 45% of ad revenue earned from Shorts views, while YouTube keeps 55%. That pay split covers music licensing and platform costs.
2. Easier Access to YouTube Partner Program (Initial Tier)
YouTube has lowered the entry bar to start monetizing through the Partner Program:
- Now you need just 500 subscribers (down from 1,000).
- You must have uploaded at least three public videos in the last 90 days.
- You need either:
- 3,000 watch hours in the past year, or
- 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.
Meet those criteria, and you get access to features like Super Thanks (tips viewers can give) and channel memberships. It’s a big win for small creators going all-in on Shorts.
3. Full Ad Revenue Access Is Still a Higher Tier
If you want to unlock all monetization options, here’s what you still need:
- 1,000 subscribers
- Plus 4,000 watch hours in the past year, or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days
Shorts views now count toward both thresholds, not just the 90-day view goal, but also watch hours.
4. How Payouts Work With Shorts Ads
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- YouTube pools Shorts ad revenue every month.
- It divides the total by country and distributes it based on each creator’s share of views.
- You get 45% of the pool allocated to you.
It’s simple in concept. More views = bigger slice and bigger payout.
5. Additional Ways to Earn From Shorts
Super Thanks
Viewers can tip you directly on Shorts with a one-time donation. Once your channel qualifies, it’s an easy add-on that boosts engagement and income.
Shopping Affiliate Features
If you promote products, you can now tag items directly in your Shorts. When viewers buy through your link, you earn commissions. It’s like turning your content into a direct revenue engine.
Final Thoughts
This update levels the playing field. Smaller creators focused on Shorts now have a smoother path to monetization and real growth. Viewers driving ads, tips, and product purchases, all from short videos.
To make the most of it:
- Keep pumping out quality Shorts.
- Hit those new Partner Program thresholds.
- Use Super Thanks and product tagging when your channel qualifies.
- Track your Shorts views closely — they matter now more than ever.
