In 2025, short-form video isn’t just a trend—it’s the most powerful format for fast reach and monetization across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts.

In 2025, YouTube Shorts monetization has evolved from a visibility tool into a core income stream—making short videos a serious revenue opportunity for creators. What started as a tool for visibility is now a legitimate YouTube Shorts ad revenue 2025 income stream.

A few years ago, monetization options were limited for Shorts. But in 2025, creators are leveraging tools like ad revenue sharing, fan funding, and shopping integrations to grow income. 

What is YouTube Shorts Monetization?

YouTube Shorts Monetization is part of the broader YouTube Partner Program (YPP), allowing creators to earn from ads placed between Shorts in the feed. Unlike traditional video monetization, Shorts use a revenue pool system.

Here’s how it works:

• YouTube sells ad space shown between Shorts.
• All that revenue goes into a common pool.
• The pool is split between music partners and YouTube Shorts creators.

Each creator’s payout depends on their proportion of total eligible Shorts views.

Shopify reports that creators receive 45% of their revenue share from the Shorts monetization pool, while YouTube retains 55%.

Figures from Ecommerce Fastlane suggest that YouTube Shorts earnings per 1,000 views (RPM) typically fall between $0.01 and $0.13. While that’s lower than the $1–$30 range seen in long-form content, Shorts compensate with higher view potential.

YouTube Shorts Monetization 2025: How It Works

Data from AWISEE shows that YouTube Generates $36.1 Billion in Ad Revenue in 2024! 

The Shorts Partner Program on YouTube is powered by a six-step system:

1. Ad Sales
   Ads are sold to run between videos on the Shorts feed.
2. Revenue Pooling
   All ad revenue is collected into a pool, rather than tied to individual videos.
3. Initial Fund Allocation
   Revenue is split between music licensing and the creator fund. If your video has no music, all eligible earnings go into the creator pool.
4. Music Fund Allocation
   • With one music track, 50% goes to music partners.
   • With two tracks, only one-third goes to the creator fund.
5. Creators using no music retain the most revenue.
6. Creator Fund Allocation
   Your share is calculated based on the percentage of all monetized Shorts views your videos generated.
7. Fund Payment
   Creators receive 45% of their calculated share. YouTube keeps the rest.

YouTube Shorts Revenue Split (2025)

The Pie Chart titled “YouTube Shorts Revenue Split (2025)” visually shows the 45%/55% revenue split between creators and YouTube.

Real Earning Example (2025)

Let’s say:

• Your Short gets 1 million views in the U.S.
• That month, monetized Shorts in the U.S. total 400 million views
• YouTube makes $200,000 from Shorts ad revenue
• $116,400 goes to the creator pool

If your video made up 0.25% of those views, as per the data collected by AWISEE:

• Your share is $291
• YouTube pays you 45%, which equals $130.95
• This means you’d earn about $130 from 1 million Shorts views—highlighting the need for scale when it comes to Shorts monetization.

YouTube Shorts Monetization Rules & Eligibility

To earn from YouTube Shorts ad revenue, you must join the YouTube Shorts Partner Program(YPP). YouTube has two access tiers:

Fan Funding Access

Enables:

• Super Thanks, Super Chat, Super Stickers
• Channel Memberships

Requirements:

• 500 subscribers
• 3 public posts in the last 90 days
• Either 3M Shorts views in 90 days or 3,000 public long-form hours in 12 months

Ad Revenue + Fan Funding Access

Unlocks all of the above plus YouTube Shorts payout 2025 from ad revenue.

Requirements:

• 1,000 subscribers
• Either 10M Shorts views in 90 days or 4,000 public watch hours on long videos

As noted by TubeBuddy, these expanded tiers make YouTube Shorts monetization rules more accessible, especially for small creators.

Other essential conditions include:

• No active community strikes
• Original content only
• 2-Step Verification enabled
• Linked AdSense account
• Creator must reside in an eligible country

How to Monetize YouTube Shorts

Ready to turn Shorts into income? Here’s how to activate YouTube Shorts monetization in your account:

• Sign in to YouTube Studio
• Click the “Earn” tab on the left

1. Accept the Base Terms module
2. Accept the Shorts Monetization Module

Tip: Stick to content guidelines to avoid demonetization.

Earnings Breakdown & Strategies From YouTube (2025)

Let’s dive into how to make money from YouTube Shorts. In 2025, creators are constantly asking: How much can I earn from Shorts?

How Much Money From Youtube Shorts Can You Actually Make?

While payouts per view remain lower compared to traditional long-form content, the power of scale with short videos can’t be ignored. If your Shorts go viral, you’re in a strong position to earn from YouTube.

According to the data collected by AWISEE, it shows that YouTube Shorts CPM rates currently range between $0.01 to $0.13 per 1,000 views, depending on region, content type, and music usage. That’s quite a gap from the $1–$30 RPM typical for long-form videos.

Beyond Ad Revenue: Best Ways to Monetize YouTube Shorts in 2025

Ad revenue is just the beginning. In 2025, creators are exploring additional ways to earn money from Shorts even those who don’t qualify for full monetization.

What Other Ways Can You Monetize Youtube Shorts Beyond Ads?

Creators are diversifying income using:

• Super Thanks, Super Chat, Super Stickers
  Enable Super Thanks or Super Chat to let your fans support you financially—right from your Shorts or livestream chat.
• Channel Memberships
  Provide premium content or perks to subscribers who pay monthly.
• YouTube Shopping Integration
  Sell branded products using platforms like Shopify from your Shorts page.
• Affiliate Marketing
  Add affiliate links to your Shorts descriptions and earn passive income from every sale driven by your content.
• Sponsorship Deals
  Brands can pay you directly for integrations, reviews, or product placements. Tools like Shopify Collabs make this easy to manage.

Comparison: YouTube Shorts Monetization Options

Is YouTube Shorts Monetization Worth It in 2025?

Let’s look at both sides.

Pros:

• Easy entry for new creators
• Massive organic reach
• Extra tools like fan funding and Shopping features are maturing fast

Cons:

• Low RPMs mean big view counts are a must
• Strict YouTube Shorts monetization rules on content originality and advertiser-friendliness
• Music usage can significantly lower your payout

Still, for creators who mix ad revenue with brand deals, affiliate links, and community support, the model is absolutely worth pursuing.

As per the data collected by AWISEE, creators with as little as 500 subscribers and 3 million Shorts views can start monetizing via fan funding tools even before hitting 10M views.

Can Small YouTube Shorts Creators Earn Money in 2025?

Definitely.

Thanks to the early-access tier of the Shorts Partner Program YouTube, even channels with modest followings can tap into revenue streams.

Quick tips for small channels:

• Add affiliate links in your video descriptions
• Use Super Thanks and Super Chat features
• Reach out to niche brands for partnerships
• Stay consistent volume helps you get discovered

Platforms like Shopify Collabs are helping micro-creators connect with monetization opportunities quickly.

YouTube Shorts CPM Rates & Trends in 2025

How do YouTube Shorts CPM rates stack up against long-form video?

Figures collected by AWISEE indicate:

• Shorts RPM = $0.01 to $0.13
• Long-form video RPM = $1 to $30

That’s a big difference but don’t write off Shorts just yet.

Emerging Trends:

• Mobile-first consumption keeps growing
• Brands are boosting vertical video budgets
• CPMs vary by region U.S. creators typically earn more

Expect YouTube to continue improving Shorts monetization in response to rising creator demand.

YouTube RPM Comparison: Shorts vs Long-Form (2025)

The Bar Chart titled “YouTube RPM Comparison: Shorts vs Long-Form (2025)” compares RPM values between Shorts and long-form content for a clearer understanding of revenue differences.

YouTube Shorts Monetization: What To Do? 

YouTube Shorts Monetization has come a long way and in 2025, it’s evolving fast.

If you’re looking to turn short-form videos into income, start by joining the Partner Program, then layer in additional strategies like affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and community engagement.

Creators who build a diverse monetization stack rather than relying only on YouTube Shorts ad revenue are seeing the strongest growth.

Consistency, creativity, and a multi-stream monetization approach are the keys to growing your Shorts income in 2025 and beyond.