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How Much YouTube Shorts Pay? (Exact Figures!)

YouTube shorts have given content creators new ways to monetize their channels. You can reach more people than ever on YouTube with shorts, and that means you can make more money. However, it isn’t always clear how much YouTube shorts pay.

YouTube shorts pay content creators 45% of the total ad revenue for all shorts each month in a specific country. Each country has its own pool of ad revenue based on views from YouTube shorts. Your cut of the ad revenue pool is based on ad placement as well as how many views you get compared to the other shorts in the pool.

You can make more money on YouTube shorts if you use popular hashtags, upload videos consistently, and cross-promote them on other platforms. Follow along as we explore how much YouTube shorts pay so you can maximize your earnings.

How Much Can I Earn From YouTube Shorts?

The amount of money you can earn from YouTube shorts varies based on views, subscribers, and total watch hours for your channel.

You can earn up to $3 per 1,000 views on YouTube shorts, but it varies based on where your audience is. YouTube splits the ad revenue with the content creators based on how your short performed in the pool of each short on the platform.

Content creators get 45% of the ad revenue split among everyone in a pool. While it may seem unfair that YouTube keeps the bigger portion of ad revenue, it’s more than it used to be. You can expect to get an average of $300 per 100,000 views, but it could be anywhere between $100 and $500.

How Does Monetization Work on YouTube Shorts?

This year, YouTube finally allowed members of the YouTube Partner Program to earn money from YouTube shorts. Each content creator that releases YouTube shorts is put into a pool. YouTube pays out 45% of the ad revenue generated by the shorts to the creators, and the amount you get is based on what percentage of views your shorts account for.

For example, a channel with a wide reach and lots of engagement will get a bigger share of the ad revenue than a small channel. Once you join the YouTube Partner Program, you can monetize your shorts, but only if you follow the terms of service. You must also set up an AdSense account that is tied to your channel to monetize shorts.

If you don’t qualify for monetization yet, you can sign up to have YouTube notify you when you are eligible for the YouTube Partner Program.

READ ALSO: How Much Does 100k Views on YouTube Pay

How Many Subscribers Do You Need to Make Money on YouTube?

You only need 500 subscribers to make money on YouTube. Previously, you needed to have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours on your channel. Now, you can monetize shorts and make money on YouTube with just 3,000 watch hours.

However, views on private videos don’t contribute to your channel’s total watch hours. The more subscribers you have, the more likely you are to earn a bigger portion of the ad revenue pool for content creators. Your shorts will appear on your subscribers’ feeds which will increase your overall views which grants you a bigger chunk of earnings from the pool.

What Happens if You Get 1 Million Views on YouTube Shorts?

If you get 1 million views on YouTube shorts, you will be bumped to the top 1% of the creator pool. You could get up to $405 or more, but it varies based on how many views the other shorts in the top 1% get. The total money earned from 1 million views may total $900 depending on your location, but your share would total $405.

However, this would only apply if YouTube shorts get 100 million views in your country or region. Your position and the amount of money in the pool varies based on overall viewership.

How to Make More Money on YouTube Shorts

Use Popular Hashtags

You can get more views and make more money on YouTube shorts if you use popular hashtags. Use trending hashtags such as #viral, #shorts, and #shortvideo. However, you should also use hashtags that are less widely used to appeal to a specific niche and get more views that way.

A mixture of common and audience-specific hashtags can help your YouTube shorts stand out among the crowd and get more views.

Cross Promote Your Shorts

If you only leave your shorts to be discovered on YouTube, they will be less likely to perform well. Increase your exposure and promote your channel and shorts on other social media platforms, such as X, Facebook, and Instagram. Direct your friends and followers to your YouTube channel to get more views on your shorts and bump yourself up higher in the ad revenue pool.

Upload Consistently

Your position in the ad revenue pool isn’t just dependent on the views for one short. Each short that you upload will contribute to your position in the ad revenue pool.

Upload as many shorts as possible to maximize your views and get a bigger cut of the ad revenue pool. Of course, you will only earn more money if the shorts perform well, but this can help increase your reach.

Post Them at the Right Time

Time is money when it comes to when you post YouTube shorts. You can ensure that you get as many views as possible if you post YouTube shorts from 12:00 PM- 6:00 PM or 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

However, you should also keep track of when your subscribers watch your shorts most frequently. Upload shorts according to when you get the most subscribers based on your base of subscribers.

How Long Should a YouTube Short Be?

YouTube shorts can be as long as one minute, but they often perform well if they are between 15 and 30 seconds long.

You can also string together 15-second long videos that total 60 seconds. Pay attention to the popularity of your shorts in conjunction with how long they are. This can help you zero in on a length for your shorts that is most appealing and accessible to your viewers.

So, How Much Do YouTube Shorts Pay?

YouTube shorts pay up to $3 per 1,000 views, but it varies based on how many total views there are for all shorts in your country.

You are put into a pool of all content creators in the YouTube Partner Program. The ad revenue is split up among everyone who posted shorts for the month, and you are paid based on what percentage of the total views are made up of your shorts.