How to Make Money on YouTube Shorts: 9 Proven Methods
Learn how to make money on YouTube Shorts beyond ad revenue with 9 different methods, including brand deals, affiliate marketing, and digital products.
Let me be straight with you: how to make money on YouTube Shorts is not as hard as most people think. The biggest mistake creators make is waiting around for ad revenue to kick in.
I’m going to show you nine different ways to turn your Shorts into actual income, starting with methods you can use today, even if you’re just getting started. Most of these pay better than ads ever will.
Understanding YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements
First, there’s the basic tier. You need 500 subscribers plus 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. Alternatively, you can get 3,000 watch hours on regular videos. This unlocks fan funding tools like Super Thanks and channel memberships.
Then comes the full tier where the real action starts. You’ll need 1,000 subscribers and 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. Or you can hit 4,000 watch hours on long-form content instead. This is when you can finally earn from ads.
Here’s something you must know: YouTube counts “engaged views” differently than regular views. Engaged views mean someone actually watched your Short, not just scrolled past it. Only these count toward your revenue share.
Reaching those view thresholds is often the hardest part, especially when your content is already solid but exposure is slow.
→To help creators build early momentum, we offer a service to buy YouTube Shorts views as a way to kick-start visibility and push videos into wider circulation
These views come from real accounts with fast delivery, helping your Shorts gain the traction they need to reach engaged viewers faster and move closer to monetization requirements.
Key Takeaways
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Ad revenue pays $0.01-$0.07 per 1,000 views, don’t rely on it as your primary and only income source
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Start affiliate marketing immediately since it requires zero subscribers or approval
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Brand deals pay 3-5x more than ads in valuable niches like finance and tech
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Use Shorts as a funnel to drive traffic to long-form videos where real money is made
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Engaged views (not total views) determine your actual revenue and algorithmic boost
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Music licensing cuts your earnings by 50-67%, but the difference is minimal in practice
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Post 3-5 Shorts weekly and hook viewers in the first 2-3 seconds for maximum retention
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Diversify across multiple monetization methods instead of waiting for ad revenue to kick in
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Digital products and memberships create recurring income that compounds over time
9 Ways to Make Money on YouTube Shorts
Ad revenue gets all the attention, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Diversifying your income streams makes a real difference. Let’s break down all nine methods:
1. Ad Revenue Sharing
YouTube Shorts ad revenue pays between $0.01 and $0.07 per 1,000 views. A million views might earn you anywhere from $10 to $130, depending on your niche and viewer location.
Finance and business Shorts perform best, hitting around $4.50 per thousand views. Psychology and tech content sit in the $3 to $6 range. Gaming and comedy? You’re looking at $1.20 to $4 at best.
Additionally, don’t stress about avoiding music to maximize your cut. The difference is negligible. A Short with music earning $50 versus one without earning $75 won’t change your life.
2. Brand Sponsorships and Partnerships
Brands will pay you $100 to $200 per 10,000 followers as a baseline. However, if you’re in a valuable niche like finance or tech, that number jumps three to five times higher.
You can start pitching brands once you hit around 5,000 engaged followers. What matters is your engagement rate, not just your follower count. A media kit showing your demographics and interaction rates opens doors.
Top-earning channels make 76% of their income from brand partnerships, not ads. Use platforms like AspireIQ or Grapevine to find opportunities. Or reach out directly to brands you already use and love. They’re often more responsive than you’d think.
3. Affiliate Marketing
This method works best for beginners because you can start immediately. No subscriber requirements. No waiting for YouTube approval. Just sign up for an affiliate program and start promoting.
Drop your affiliate links in your video description, pin them in comments, or add them to your bio link.
Tech reviews and software tutorials convert exceptionally well. So do finance-related products. Create comparison Shorts or quick demos showing products in action.
Therefore, your viewers already trust your opinion before clicking through. Track your links to see what’s actually working.
4. Digital Products and Courses
Selling your own products puts you in complete control of your profits. Create templates, presets, ebooks, or full courses based on your expertise. Use your Shorts as trailers that showcase what you know.
Photography presets, trading strategies, and Canva templates sell particularly well. Price them anywhere from $7 to $297 depending on the value you’re delivering.
The strategy is simple: give away valuable tips in your Shorts, then offer the complete solution as a paid product.
For example, share three quick photo editing tricks, then mention your full preset pack in the description. Your Shorts become your sales team, working around the clock.
5. Channel Memberships and Super Thanks
Once you hit 500 subscribers, you can activate memberships. Offer exclusive Shorts, early access to content, or custom badges to paying members. Set up tiers ranging from $4.99 to $24.99 monthly.
Super Thanks lets viewers send one-time tips between $2 and $50. It’s basically a “buy me a coffee” button built right into YouTube. Typically, 1 to 3% of your subscribers will become paying members if you give them good reasons.
Tutorial channels and coaching niches perform best with this model. Communities thrive when members feel special. Additionally, these recurring payments add up faster than you’d expect. Even 50 members at $5 monthly puts an extra $250 in your pocket every month.
6. Selling Products Through YouTube Shopping
YouTube Shopping lets you tag products directly in your Shorts. Viewers can click and buy without leaving the platform. You’ll need an online store through Shopify or similar platforms, plus YPP eligibility.
Physical products, merchandise, and branded goods work best here. According to YouTube’s data, 30% of viewers actually click on tagged products. That’s a massive conversion rate compared to traditional ads.
Unboxing videos, product demos, and before-after transformations drive the most sales. However, test your products in regular videos first to gauge interest.
Then create Shorts specifically designed to go viral on YouTube while showcasing what you’re selling. The combination of viral reach and direct shopping links is powerful.
7. Using Shorts as a Traffic Funnel
Long-form videos earn 10 to 20 times more per view than Shorts. We’re talking $2 to $30 per thousand views instead of pennies. Smart creators use Shorts as bait to hook subscribers, then monetize through regular videos.
Create Shorts from your best long-form content highlights. Add a clear call-to-action: “Full video in description” or “Watch the complete tutorial on my channel.”
This is the secret behind successful YouTube channels. They don’t rely on Shorts’ revenue directly. Instead, Shorts become the growth engine that builds an audience. That audience then watches longer content where the real money flows. It’s a funnel, not a destination.
8. Livestream Monetization with Super Chat and Stickers
Livestreams unlock once you reach the 500-subscriber basic tier. Super Chat lets viewers send highlighted messages during your stream, paying anywhere from $1 to $500 to stand out. Super Stickers work similarly with animated graphics costing $0.99 to $50.
Use your Shorts to promote upcoming livestreams. Build anticipation and give people a reason to show up. Q&A sessions, live tutorials, and community events work exceptionally well. Approximately 5 to 10% of live viewers will send Super Chats if you engage with them.
Create urgency with limited-time streams. “Going live in 30 minutes to answer your questions” gets people moving. When you make a poll on YouTube asking what topic to cover next, you’re building investment before the stream even starts. People want to see their chosen topic discussed live.
9. Merchandise and Print-on-Demand
Sell branded apparel, mugs, phone cases, and more without touching inventory. Print-on-demand services like Printify, Printful, and Bonfire handle everything. Products only get printed when someone orders.
Your profit margin sits around $5 to $15 per item. Integrate your merch store with YouTube Shopping to make buying seamless. Catchphrases, logos, and inside jokes from your content make the best designs.
Showcase your merchandise naturally in your Shorts. Wear your own hoodie while filming. Use your branded mug in the background.
When you schedule YouTube Shorts consistently, you create more opportunities for viewers to see and want your products. The key is making merch feel like a natural extension of your brand, not a pushy sales pitch.
Algorithm Optimization for YouTube Shorts
Getting views is what makes everything else possible. The YouTube algorithm decides which Shorts blow up and which ones die in obscurity. Understanding how it works gives you a massive advantage.
The first 2 to 3 seconds determine everything. Hook viewers immediately or they’ll swipe away. Your retention rate needs to hit 70% or higher. Low swipe-away rates tell the algorithm your content is worth showing to more people.
Looping content works brilliantly because rewatches count as additional views. Create Shorts where the ending connects back to the beginning. People will watch multiple times trying to catch details they missed.
Consistency & Timing Strategy
Post 3 to 5 Shorts weekly at minimum. Consistency matters more than perfection. Test different posting times to find when your audience is most active. Trending sounds can boost reach, but don’t force them if they don’t fit your message.
YouTube now allows 3-minute Shorts, which is perfect for tutorials. Use the extra time to deliver complete value instead of cutting corners. Moreover, Shorts can get 1k views on YouTube weeks or even months after posting. The algorithm keeps testing your content with new audiences over time.
Engaged views matter more than total views for revenue. Someone scrolling past doesn’t count the same as someone watching through. Focus on creating content that makes people stop and pay attention. When you add tags to a YouTube video, you’re helping the algorithm understand your content and show it to the right viewers.
Conclusion
Learning how to make money on YouTube Shorts comes down to one thing: don’t put all your eggs in the ad revenue basket.
Start with affiliate marketing today while building toward your 1,000 subscribers. Mix in brand deals, digital products, and memberships as you grow. Use Shorts to fuel your channel growth, then monetize through multiple streams.
The creators making real money are diversifying from day one. Pick two methods from this list and start implementing them this week.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Do YouTube Shorts views count toward watch hours?
No, Shorts views don't count toward the 4,000 watch hours requirement for long-form monetization. They only count toward the 10 million Shorts views threshold. You need to choose one path or meet both requirements separately.
Can you monetize YouTube Shorts without showing your face?
Yes, faceless Shorts work perfectly fine. Use screen recordings, stock footage, animations, or text-based content. Many successful channels in finance, education, and motivation niches never show the creator on camera.
How long does it take to get monetized on YouTube Shorts?
It typically takes 3 to 6 months to reach 1,000 subscribers and 10 million views if you post consistently. Some creators hit it in 30 days with viral content, while others need a year. Focus on quality and consistency rather than racing against time.
What happens if you use copyrighted music in monetized Shorts?
YouTube splits your revenue with the music rights holders. One track takes 50% of your earnings, two tracks take 67%. Your Short stays monetized, but you earn significantly less per view.