How to Monetize YouTube Shorts in 2025

Wondering how to monetize YouTube Shorts and make money from your videos? Many creators face the challenge of turning their Shorts into a real income. It can be frustrating when your videos get views but don't earn much.

But don't worry as this guide will show you exactly how to start making money with YouTube Shorts in 2025. We'll cover the steps, requirements, and tips you need to succeed.

By the end, you'll know exactly how to turn your Shorts into a source of income.

The Rise of Short-Form Video Content

Short-form video content has become a dominant force in the digital world, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts leading the charge. YouTube Shorts, in particular, has rapidly grown in popularity, offering creators a chance to showcase their creativity in bite-sized videos.

With the increasing consumption of short-form videos, the opportunity for creators to monetize their work has expanded. In 2025, YouTube Shorts is no longer just a platform for gaining visibility—it's a viable revenue stream for creators worldwide.

What makes YouTube Shorts unique is the platform's ability to reach a wide audience quickly. With millions of daily active users scrolling through the Shorts feed, it's possible to go viral and earn substantial views in a short amount of time. Whether you're a seasoned creator or a newbie, YouTube Shorts presents a wealth of opportunities to grow your audience and monetize your content.

Do YouTube Shorts Make Money?

Yes, YouTube Shorts can make money! As of 2025, YouTube has introduced a variety of ways to monetize Shorts, including ad revenue sharing, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

To ensure your content stands out, having the right equipment is key, and that's where tools like NearStream's Podcasting Kit, featuring the AM25X USB/XLR Condenser Microphone and AMIX40U Portable Audio Mixer, can elevate the quality of your audio.

Additionally, NearStream's 4K Streaming Camera VM20 will help ensure your visuals are crisp and professional, leading to higher viewer retention and better chances at monetization.

Understanding How Monetization Works for Shorts

To enable monetization for your Shorts, you need to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which will allow you to earn from both long-form and short-form content. YouTube's revenue-sharing model for Shorts works similarly to that of traditional videos, but with adjustments better suited for the quick, high-engagement nature of Shorts.

For creators looking to enhance their production, investing in professional-grade equipment like NearStream's 4K Streaming Camera or AM25X Microphone can improve your content's overall appeal and attract more viewers, ultimately increasing your monetization potential.

Shorts vs. Long-Form Content: Revenue Comparisons

While YouTube Shorts offers monetization opportunities, it's important to understand the differences in revenue between Shorts and long-form content. Generally, long-form videos tend to generate more ad revenue due to higher engagement and longer watch times, which means higher CPM (Cost Per Thousand Impressions) rates. The longer viewers stay on your video, the more ads can be shown, and the more money you can make.

On the other hand, YouTube Shorts have the potential to go viral quickly, leading to higher impressions in a shorter amount of time. Even though the CPM for Shorts may be lower compared to longer videos, the sheer volume of views can make up for it. Additionally, Shorts can drive traffic to your long-form videos, indirectly increasing revenue from ads on those videos as well.

You can further boost your revenue by using NearStream's Game Streaming Kit, perfect for streaming games and creating content that links back to your longer-form videos, driving more views and boosting your ad revenue.

Case Examples: Creators Earning from Shorts

A notable example of a larger YouTuber successfully monetizing YouTube Shorts is MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson). Known for his extravagant challenges and philanthropy, MrBeast has capitalized on the popularity of Shorts by posting bite-sized versions of his epic videos. Through Shorts, he reaches a wider audience, boosting his ad revenue and subscriber count.

His monetization strategy includes not just ad revenue but also brand partnerships and sponsorships. As his Shorts attract millions of views, companies eager to reach his massive audience pay top dollar for product placements and sponsorships. MrBeast's success shows how even large creators can leverage Shorts to diversify income streams while growing their brand.

To compete at this level, creators should consider tools like NearStream's DSLR Quality Optical Streaming Camera to ensure they're producing top-tier content.

YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements

Updated Partner Program Rules (2025)

In 2025, YouTube has updated its Partner Program rules to allow more creators to join the monetization program, even through YouTube Shorts. The updated requirements focus on fostering growth in short-form content while maintaining a high standard of content quality and engagement.

To qualify for monetization through YouTube Shorts, creators must meet certain requirements, including having at least 1,000 subscribers and 10 million views on their Shorts within the last 90 days. This new requirement encourages creators to focus on producing engaging content that has the potential to go viral, increasing the likelihood of hitting the view count.

By using NearStream's tools, such as the AWM20T Wireless Microphone and 10X Optical Zoom Wireless Streaming Camera, you can elevate the production value of your Shorts and help them stand out.

1,000 Subscribers + 10M Shorts Views – Explained

One of the key requirements for monetizing YouTube Shorts is having 1,000 subscribers and 10 million views on your Shorts within the last 90 days. This can seem like a steep goal, but with consistency and creativity, it's definitely achievable.

The 1,000 subscriber requirement ensures that creators have a dedicated audience. Meanwhile, the 10 million views requirement ensures that the creator is generating content that has high engagement and is capable of reaching a wide audience. For creators who are just starting, reaching these milestones may take some time, but by following best practices and promoting their content through social media and other channels, creators can speed up the process.

Additional Requirements: Community Guidelines, AdSense, etc.

Aside from the subscriber and view count requirements, creators must also adhere to YouTube's Community Guidelines. This ensures that all monetized content remains safe, respectful, and compliant with YouTube's policies.

Additionally, creators need to have an active AdSense account linked to their YouTube channel to receive payments. It's essential to set up and link your AdSense account properly to avoid delays in receiving your earnings.

How to Monetize YouTube Shorts (Step-by-Step)

Here's a step by step guide for you:

Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

The first step in monetizing your YouTube Shorts is joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). To be eligible, you must meet the requirements, including having 1,000 subscribers and 10 million views on your Shorts. Once approved, you can start earning from ad revenue, super chats, and channel memberships (if applicable).

Enable Shorts Ad Revenue Sharing

After joining YPP, you need to enable ad revenue sharing for your Shorts. This will allow ads to appear on your Shorts videos, and you'll start earning revenue based on the ad views. YouTube will place ads on your Shorts, and you'll earn money each time viewers watch the ad.

Link Your AdSense Account Properly

To receive payments from YouTube, you need to link your AdSense account to your YouTube channel. Make sure your AdSense account is properly set up and associated with your YouTube account to ensure smooth payments. Once this is done, you'll start receiving revenue for your monetized Shorts.

Track Shorts Revenue in YouTube Studio

YouTube Studio provides valuable insights into how your content is performing. Through the analytics dashboard, you can track your revenue, views, and audience demographics. Monitoring your revenue from Shorts in YouTube Studio will help you understand which videos are performing well and where you can improve.

Beyond Ads: Other Ways to Make Money with Shorts

Brand Sponsorships and Product Placement

In addition to ad revenue, brand sponsorships and product placements are great ways to monetize your Shorts. Many brands are eager to partner with content creators who can promote their products in engaging, authentic ways. You can integrate sponsored content into your Shorts, featuring products or services that align with your niche.

For example, if you're a tech reviewer, you could create a short video showcasing a new gadget and mention a discount code provided by the brand. Sponsorships can be negotiated as one-time payments or long-term partnerships, providing a consistent revenue stream for creators.

Driving Affiliate or Merch Sales

Affiliate marketing is another effective way to make money with YouTube Shorts. By promoting products through affiliate links in your video descriptions or within the videos themselves, you can earn a commission on sales generated through your links. For example, if you're a fashion influencer, you could create a stylish Shorts video featuring outfits and include affiliate links to the clothing brands you're wearing.

Another way to monetize is by promoting your own merchandise. If you have a loyal following, selling branded merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, or hats can be an additional income source. You can link to your online store in the video description or directly showcase your products in your Shorts.

Leveraging Shorts to Boost Long-Form Content and Channel Growth

One of the most effective ways to monetize YouTube Shorts is by using them to promote your long-form content. By creating teasers or highlights of your longer videos in Shorts, you can drive traffic to your full-length content.

For example, if you create educational content, a 30-second Shorts video that provides a teaser of a longer tutorial can prompt viewers to visit your channel for more in-depth content. As your subscribers grow, so will your ad revenue from long-form content.

Live Stream Highlights or Announcements via Shorts

Using YouTube Shorts to share live stream highlights or important announcements can also increase engagement with your live broadcasts. By posting short clips from your live streams as Shorts, you can encourage viewers to join your live sessions in real-time. Additionally, using Shorts to announce upcoming streams can generate buzz and boost viewership.

Best Practices for Making Money on YouTube Shorts

Here are some tips to help you:

Post Consistently with a Niche Strategy

Consistency is key when it comes to YouTube Shorts. Posting regularly ensures that you remain visible in the Shorts feed, increasing your chances of going viral. It's important to focus on a specific niche, as this helps attract a dedicated audience. Whether it's tech reviews, fashion tips, or cooking tutorials, staying consistent with your niche will help build a loyal viewer base.

Use Hooks and CTAs to Increase Engagement

Start your Shorts with a compelling hook to grab viewers' attention within the first few seconds. Including a call-to-action (CTA), like "subscribe for more tips," can encourage viewers to engage with your content. High engagement increases your chances of appearing in YouTube's algorithm and being recommended to more users.

YouTube SEO: Optimize Titles, Hashtags, and Descriptions for Discoverability

To make your Shorts discoverable, optimize your titles, descriptions, and hashtags for SEO. Use relevant keywords that are likely to be searched by your target audience. This will help YouTube's algorithm suggest your Shorts to more users who are interested in your content.

Tools and Gear to Elevate Shorts Production Quality

Investing in high-quality equipment can significantly enhance the production value of your Shorts. NearStream offers products like the AM25X USB/XLR Condenser Microphone and the 4K Streaming Camera VM20 that can elevate both your audio and video quality. Professional sound and crisp visuals will make your Shorts stand out and attract more viewers.

Tools That Help You Monetize Faster

Analytics Tools to Track Shorts Performance

Using analytics tools in YouTube Studio will allow you to track your Shorts' performance in real-time. You can monitor which videos are performing well and adjust your content strategy accordingly. The more you understand your audience and what works, the faster you can increase your revenue.

Scheduling & Captioning Tools for Efficiency

Efficient content creation is crucial for maintaining consistency. Scheduling tools can help you plan and post content regularly without hassle. Captioning tools will ensure that your Shorts are accessible to a broader audience, especially non-native speakers and hearing-impaired viewers.

Creator Kits: Mics, Lighting, and Cameras for Better Shorts (Nearstream Streaming Kit)

Having the right tools can make a significant difference in your content's quality. NearStream's streaming kits come equipped with essential items like microphones, lighting, and cameras to enhance the quality of your Shorts and live streams.